Aliving room without a coffee table is like a supermodel without lipstick, undone. Just as lipstick is one detail that can complete a look, so too can the perfect coffee table.
Aliving room without a coffee table is like a supermodel without lipstick, undone. Just as lipstick is one detail that can complete a look, so too can the perfect coffee table. A coffee table is many things: a place to set your drink, a footrest, somewhere to stash the remote and - of course - a beautiful decorative addition to your living room.
The first wooden tables, in Britain, specifically designed as and called coffee tables, were made during the late Victorian era. Today, coffee tables come in a wide variety. Materials such as glass combined with either brass or steel offer a more sophisticated look. Whether it is oak, maple, cherry or walnut, wood has its own feel to it. Oak and maple are on the more casual side with walnut and cherry having a more formal look. If you favour a contemporary look, choose a sleek metal table with a glass top. If casual is more your speed, a rustic oak table would be perfect. Pick a round table with wood turned legs for a romantic feel.
Clever ways to style your dainty coffee table:
Coffee table styling is actually an art. Your coffee table can become a cluttered mess if you aren’t careful or a drab disappointment if you’re scared to get a little creative. These decorating tips - from using a tray to arranging a collection - show you how to get a chic, stylish look for your coffee table.
Candles: Flowers and taper candles are two design standbys that will help your coffee table style reach new heights. Candles add mood and dimension to a flat surface. Scattered about in different shapes and sizes, candles can help break up a coffee table’s sheer size.
Flowers: As a living room focal point, your coffee table is a great place to rotate seasonal decorative elements. No matter how big or how small, flowers add a burst of freshness that can bring life to a display - and a room. So, give your room an inviting touch by buying real blooms when you entertain. Additionally, flowers add a pop of colour, while candlesticks can add a flash of glam metal, so they’re even better together.
Go Green: Even for those with a black thumb, the coffee table is the perfect setting for a small, low-maintenance plant. Set it right in the center for an organic, fuss-free way to bring life into your space. Whether you use real or faux plants, these accents are refreshing and invigorating. Change up your plants each week or month to keep your decor looking fresh. The styles are endless. Place plants in wooden bowls, glass bottles, vases, pots or any other unique object you choose.
Metallic Accents: Gold, brass, and silver have a way of instantly elevating any space, but metallics won’t over power your room when they are showcased on just your coffee table.
Maintain Balance: Balance is an important component of any coffee table display, and one of the easiest ways to achieve balance is with symmetry. Nothing makes for a cluttered surface faster than a large collection of small knick-knacks. Contrastingly, displaying only large items can look heavy and cumbersome. To keep your coffee table balanced, vary the scale of display items and stack or group like objects together.
Contrast Colours: Choose decor that plays off the colour of your coffee table. If the table is white or a neutral, go with bold colours on top. For black or dark woods, showcase metallic and crisp white tabletop items. And with a versatile clear table, any colour choices are a go.
Try a Single Statement Piece: Make your favourite piece the room’s focal point by displaying it alone in the center of the coffee table. With a pretty planter or interesting sculpture, the effect is understated, not spare.
Use a tray, a decorative basket or a wooden box: Having a lot of objects on your coffee table can limit the usable surface space. Trays, baskets and wooden boxes are popular pieces for decorating because they are both stylish and functional. Group decorative items together on the tray/basket for an organized, clean look. They also provide a handy place to stash remotes, coasters, reading glasses or any other everyday essentials that typically cause coffee table clutter. When you are entertaining guests or need to clear space on the table, you can simply remove the entire tray/basket; it couldn’t be easier to ready your table for use.
Stack magazines to create varied heights: Magazines and books are often key features on a coffee table. They give guests something to browse, but they can also be tied into the decor. Use stacks of magazines to create various heights on the surface of your coffee table. You can then add a unique decorative object or plant on top of a stack to create another layer of beauty.
Create an interesting juxtaposition with rustic and polished decor: You don’t have to stick with one type of decor or one stylistic theme for your coffee table. While it’s true that many different elements can sometimes overwhelm, feel free to combine two or three different pieces of distinct styles to vary the look. Polished metals combined with rustic wood pieces complement each other well while creating an interesting vibe!
