The Home-Lover’s Guide to Styling Your Coffee Table

Featured item: Axis Square Coffee Table

Your coffee table is the visual anchor of your living space. But more than that, it’s the place where awesome things come together - family, friends, good times, good talk, good vibes, good munchies, and of course, good coffee. Unfortunately, it can also tend to be the place where clutter comes together.

That’s why you want your coffee table decor to be ticking all the boxes in terms of style, personality and practicality. It’s not rocket science, but it does take a little thought and experimentation to get just the right mix that works for you. With this practical guide to styling your coffee table, you’ll soon be kicking back to enjoy the fruits of your labours, and of course, a good cuppa joe.

Featured item: Coffee Tables

Stick with your style

When you chose your coffee table, you picked a particular style that spoke to you, and imagined how it would fit into your living room. Minimalist or maximalist, beach house or farmhouse, rustic or urban, the style of the room already gives you a décor blueprint, so there’s no reason to go off-script, or get totally random (unless that’s part of your eclectic vibe).

As you think about how to decorate your table, think in line with the overall theme, colour scheme and style of the room. With this as a mindful backdrop, you can still add elements or contrasts to let your table make a statement all its own, without clashing with the rest of the room.

Featured item: Coffee Table

Consider your colours

Your colour choices will depend on your overall décor style, and whether you want your coffee table to blend in seamlessly, or create a contrasting statement. Whichever route you decide to go, your colour scheme needn’t be uniform, but there should be a clear motif, rather than a random mishmash of colours. Your highlight piece and perhaps one or two other items (depending on the extent of your arrangement) could pick up on an accent colour in the room. Or you might want to feature an accent colour from a nearby space or adjoining room to create a subtle sense of flow while adding visual interest.

Featured item: Peyton Coffee Table

Alternatively, let your table arrangement take centre stage with a few pops of colour that will stand out all on their own. Also remember to factor in the colour of the table itself and aim for some contrast to ensure your décor will be noticeable, rather than just disappearing into the background.

Featured item: Gable Coffee Table - White

Pick a few fool-proof elements…

If you’re looking for some fool-proof ideas to bring some classic and homely style to your coffee table zone, here are some popular décor elements that always look great and gel really well together:

Coffee Table Books

Books have a lot going for them. Even though you may never have time to read them, they make great décor items! Especially on a coffee table. They look good from any angle, come in just about any size and colour you want, they’re stackable, make handy surface areas for displaying other objects. You could also set one of your books open on a favourite article or picture for an effective conversation starter. Pro tip: Books work particularly well for offsetting the shape of round or oval tables.

Greenery

Whether your fingers are green, or hopelessly er…non-green…there’s a floral arrangement, easy maintenance indoor plant, or (hey, why not?) a fake plant out there waiting to spruce up your coffee table. Nothing breathes fresh life and colour into a space like a little bit of nature’s art.

Featured item: Voyager Coffee Table

Candles

Do we really need to justify this one? Everyone loves candles. They provide unique shapes and texture, can be neutral or colourful, and there’s nothing like a few glowing flames to make your space feel homely and romantic. And why not fill your space with some delicious scents or aromatherapy while you’re at it?

Trays & Decorative Boxes

These definitely win the multi-tasking award for being both stylish and practical. Even with the best planned décor arrangement, it only takes a small dose of daily life for entropy to start having its way. A tray will keep some helpful boundaries in place, while a catchall decorative box will keep the clutter tucked away. Plus, it makes for super simple clear-up when it’s time for a Monopoly marathon! Pro-tip: anchoring a highlight decor piece on a tray is a simple and practical way to decorate an ottoman.

Artsy Objects

Yep, it’s kind of a lazy catchall term. The point is, it’s a great idea to have one or two objects on your table that are unusual, add a touch of artistic flair, or simply make you take a second look.

Featured item: Kanan Coffee Table

Or beat your own décor drum

Of course, you might not be one to go with ‘tried and tested’ formulas. If a mix of flowers, books and candles really isn’t your thing, there’s nothing stopping you from experimenting with a totally unique display. Perhaps you have a few ‘found objects’ or sentimental pieces you’d love to feature in your own mini tableau. Or you could go in search of a single statement piece that reflects your individual style – no add-ons required.

Create your arrangement

With an idea of your style, colour palette and feature elements in mind, it’s time to put your arrangement together.

1. Find your focal point

Your coffee table arrangement is a mini work of art, and every inspired work of art needs a focal point. Plants, floral arrangements, geometric or sculptural objects, and even a large tray can play the part. Your focus piece sets the tone and gives you an anchor point to work around, creating harmony or contrast with your other elements. Or it could be a standalone piece that goes with a minimalist theme, makes a bold statement of its own, or allows for a visual breather in an already bold or busy room.

Featured item: Lyra Teakroot Coffee Table - Semicircle

2. Play with heights and levels

No matter how interesting your individual elements are, if they’re all roughly the same height on the same level, they’ll look utterly boring. Create visual interest by varying the heights of your décor elements and playing with layers (that’s where those coffee table books really come in handy). Just make sure you’ll still have a clear view across the table.

Featured item: Lexi Coffee Table - 1.4m

If you have a double-tiered table, think on both levels. The bottom tier will naturally work well as storage space, but that doesn’t mean you can’t work it into your design – one or two larger items such as woven or wicker baskets, wooden bowls or decorative boxes are perfect for anchoring the lower space in a stylish way that’s also practical for storing all your paraphernalia.

Featured item: Fenton Round Coffee Table

3. Look for harmony and balance

Whatever you’re working with, the true art of creating an effective vignette comes down to finding harmony and balance. For example, you want to vary the size of your objects, rather than having too many clunky, large items (it’s probably best to stick to one or two at most), or otherwise a noisy collection of knick-knacks. You’ll also find your display looks more artistic and balanced if you group like items together – stacking books or grouping candles may seem obvious, but items could also be connected through colour, theme or style.

Featured item: Lexi Coffee Table - 1.4m

Using symmetrical groupings is another simple way to create visual harmony. Designing a well balanced display takes a bit of experimentation, and it’s easier to spot things that aren’t quite right with a bit of perspective. So take a walk and look at your handiwork from all angles – your instincts should tell you when you’ve nailed it!

Featured item: Kingslin Coffee Table

Finishing touches (or final thoughts)

Be Practical

Remember to decorate your homeliest space with your lifestyle in mind. If your coffee table tends to be clutter-prone, be sure to include a practical solution like a pretty basket somewhere on your table – or under it. If you’re going to get annoyed with fussy bits and pieces that need to be relocated whenever you have a meal by the TV, then keep things simple, or keep everything neatly together on a decorative tray that’s easy to move.

Be fun

If your coffee table’s going to be the centre of your home socials, let your décor help you break the ice. A conversation piece is always great, but you could make things even more interactive by including a small table game, 3D puzzle, or anything that will lure some curious fingers.

Featured item: Jiba Coffee Table

Be Free

Don’t feel restricted by trends or the latest designer do’s and don’ts. This is your space, and all that really matters is whether it inspires you! Go with whatever speaks your home-love-lingo, and if you get tired of your first décor experiment, you can always mix it up, style by the seasons, or go back to a lazy brainstorm over another great cup of coffee…

Featured item: Kora Large Coffee Table

On the lookout for some fresh coffee table styles and décor ideas? Browse Cielo’s online catalogue or head to a showroom near you today.

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