How to style a coffee table: Expert-approved tricks for an elevated living space
Imperfect symmetry is the secret to a well-dressed coffee table, footstool or ottoman.
Think of the surface as a grid of four or six. To avoid cluttering the space, place one item or collection in each grid section – a stack of books, for example, or a large vase.
Then, vary the heights and keep curated clusters, such as natural finds or trinkets, contained in smaller trays or bowls.
These are a few starters, but if you're wondering how to properly style a coffee table, keep reading for our expert-approved tips and tricks on how to dress any table, footstool, chest or ottoman with taste and flair.
Also, don't forget to read our other guides on how to style a sofa and a bed, too.
Curate collections
Edit displays to keep things ordered and considered. Use the tabletop as a personal display space, starting with favourite books and layering on top objects that chime with your colour and style palette to connect the disparate items.
Play up pattern
Opt for a fabric footstool or ottoman to boost comfort and colour, choosing a small-scale print to harmonise with neighbouring upholstery.
Bring in nature
For a garden-room style (in a room with plenty of natural light), make a focal point of potted plants and herbariums in numbers of three or five. Line them along a rustic board, stand on individual saucers or group in a round zinc tray.
Our tips for making it work
Add a cloth to soften and break up the tabletop – a tea towel or runner, or a bespoke cut of fabric in ticking stripes, checks or another small print.
Personalise the display with trinkets and objects highlighting favourite interests – bird ornaments, handmade pottery or cut garden flowers standing alone or crowning a pile of books.
Use textured baskets or wooden crates underneath the table for a stylish storage solution.
Ground with a rug large enough to fit under a sofa and armchairs. Choose a vibrant flatweave or natural woven matting for a rustic look.
Add height and drama using displays of seasonal wildflowers, seedheads and branches with strong structural silhouettes. Be sure to place where views aren’t obscured.
Create ambience using candlelight for soft, low lighting or a cordless lamp set to a soft glow.
Charlbury Footstool
Albert Turned Oak Candlestick
English Vision Book by Ben Pentreath
Talasa Rectangular Rattan Basket
Stoneware Blue Tit
£26.00 at stonewarebirds.co.uk
Needlecord Grid Table Runner
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