Coffee tables have the potential to be a major conversation starter. Ensure your centrepiece is the talk of the town by following this simple style guide.
Coffee tables don’t get enough credit. They often occupy a prime position within a living space, displaying everything from treasured books and objects to bunches of flowers and a haphazard selection of television remotes. However, these humble pieces of furniture have the potential to set the tone of your personal style - it all comes down to what you put on display, and how you display it. It’s important that your tabletop styling is complementary to the existing layout of the room. With that in mind, here are some of our top tips for achieving elevated coffee table scenery.
Wild Child Coffee Table, Capri Dolce Vita by Cesare Cunaccia, Amalfi Coast by Carlos Souza, Amanda Dziedzic Yumemiru Peach.
COLLECT
Pull together a selection of coffee table-appropriate items such as candles, ceramics, vessels, trays, decorative objects, books, flowers or indoor plants.
Ted Armchair in Cream Boucle, Rose Quartz Coffee Table with Black Base, Amanda Dziedzic Yumemiru Peach.
COLOUR
Choosing a colour theme for your showcase of objects is a quick and easy way to make your coffee table styling look cohesive. Your theme should be influenced by the hues already present in your space, such as the accent colours of your cushions, rugs, artworks or furniture.
Ipanema Coffee Table, Twilight Crystal Candle Holder, Buddy Vase, Prism Decanter, Martini Glass, Palm Beach by Aerin Lauder, 3181 Candle by F&F.
CURATE
Once your collection is complete, it’s time to cut it down and curate a considered edit. Look for objects of different heights, shapes and textures to create scale and layers.
Ted Armchair in Velvet Pink, Zulta Cushion in Black Dots, Ipanema Coffee Table, La Paz, Martini Glass, Pebble Crown Sculpture, Serengeti Dhurrie.
GATHER
If smaller items begin to look lost among the bigger pieces on your table, gather them together into a tray or bowl. This will unify them into a single element with a visual purpose.
Raff Travertine Side Table, Rose Quartz Coffee Table with Brass Base, Rose Quartz Tray, Amanda Dziedzic Yumemiru Peach, Betsy Armchair in Cream Boucle.
ARRANGE
Finally, it’s time to play around with placement. Stand back from the table, look at it from different angles and adjust each piece as needed. If the vignette looks busy, start taking pieces away. Aim for a tabletop arrangement that feels balanced and pleasing to the eye.
Rose Quartz Coffee Table with Brass Base, Rose Quartz Tray.
COMPLETE
A fresh bouquet of flowers or an indoor plant is the perfect finishing touch to any coffee table. It adds instant polish while bringing the outside in.
If you’d like to see this styling guide in action, check out the video of Fenton & Fenton founder, Lucy, below, where she will talk you through each step of the guide and provide examples of the objects and colours she would choose for her coffee table.
Want more inspiration? Read How to Incorporate Colour into Your Interior.
