Don’t tell me you thought your living room décor is complete without considering how to decorate a coffee table. But that’s okay as long as you’re pondering it now. It is most likely that somehow your décor didn’t feel entirely lavish with a bare coffee table staring back at you. Don’t worry, we are here to take you through the exciting yet challenging task of decorating a coffee table. From the get-go, make sure it’s only the décor that’s missing from your coffee table – the coffee table itself is best suited to the rest of the furniture pieces. Not sure if it’s “the one”, check out living room furniture Santa Clara and find the table that you will love to style (Psst! Get your hands on the Rhapsody Square Cocktail Table, it’s on sale).
How to Decorate a Coffee Table
Now, that you’ve found the perfect coffee table for your living room, all you need is to pop in some decorative accents to achieve a setup that appeals to your style.
Tell a Story
Show your passion for a particular city or culture with a coffee table accent. For instance, if you have decorated your table with croissant-shaped accents, your guests may go ‘Oui!’. It can also symbolize your leisurely time in Paris. Reminisce on your favorite place sitting on your living room sofa by glancing at souvenirs from around the world on your coffee table.
Play with Textures
The key to an eye-catching display is mixing textures. Something wooden, something brass, and something porcelain. Don’t be afraid to mix and match all kinds of textures and get creative with it. Keep the décor all balanced with a combination of textures. For example, combine a porcelain bowl with a chain of beads and blend greenery with a plant. Go for an element with a twist by selecting an interesting plant pot/vase.
Play with Heights
If you’re decorating with vases, think the more the merrier, especially if they vary in height. You can’t go wrong with a mix of heights and colors with vases. Fill one with branches and leave the other empty.
Give Tray a Try
Did you choose an ottoman for a coffee table? Nice choice! Wondering how to decorate a coffee table when it is actually an ottoman? Enter! Chic tray. Check out Faulkner Ottoman Tray which is large enough to turn the ottoman into a traditional coffee table. Choose a tray that will pop against the table/ottoman surface (Take a sneak peek: Large wooden tray 10-2394 which is chic and will withstand the changing trends). A tray is also practical so you can conveniently move the décor off the coffee table when needed.
How About a Pedestal Tray?
If you find a pedestal on a coffee table very attractive, try our Boyles Brass Tray. Use this tray to make your décor “literally” stand out. It is a great way to add layering to your coffee table décor. A great thing to go on the pedestal tray is long plants that can dangle down onto the coffee table.
Eureka! Books!
I’ve found it! The secret to the home magazines/ designer coffee table styles. They’re books. Books are great for layering. Flip an open book to add an element of interest. Photo books are a great choice to bookmark or to display as an open book. Anchor the books to your coffee table with interesting book toppers– which can be anything from a potted plant, crystal globe to a fancy oversized paperweight.
Simplicity is the Utter Sophistication
Keep your coffee décor simple. A few statement accents and you’re good to go. You don’t have to decorate each and every inch of your coffee table, it should be fine. There’s beauty and sophistication in simplicity. Make use of it. Neutral toned accents are an elegant and simple way to decorate your coffee table. Think black and white and you’re golden… Oooh! Gold… Never goes wrong!
A Treat for Eyes and Nose
Turn your coffee table into a treat for eyes and nose by decorating with mist diffusers or simply scented candles. Corralling scents on a chic tray (like an Island tray set) is pure genius. This not only looks neat and tidy but also luxe.
Rocks and Twigs
While we are at it, another brilliant coffee table décor popped up in my mind. Use a Damini white, Sora, or Tanagra to display a collection of rocks and twigs. These may be from your backyard. If you’re not comfortable with that, display something more traditional in these small trays like seashells, pieces of driftwood, potpourri, pine cones, or even your unique collection of matchboxes.
Say Hello to Fresh Elements
Mmmm… Flowers! Add an element of freshness like flowers in a vase to complement the whole living room. Remember to switch them frequently by getting fresh ones from your local florist. If flowers are not your thing, then bring out your green friends to add life to your coffee table décor (literally). Tiny succulents look absolutely adorable on a coffee table while also adding a natural element to the décor.
Twinkle with a Trinket
Putting up a trinket can make your coffee table décor oh-so-pretty. It also ensures that small loose items like coins, buttons, pins, or paper clips don’t clutter your coffee table. Style your coffee table with the organization. What else could you ask for?
Gaming Zone
No, we are not suggesting placing the consoles on the coffee table. ( they don’t look tidy). The suggestion is to set up a game like a chessboard or a Monopoly box even domino pieces on your coffee table. It encourages playfulness and adds a fun element to your coffee table décor. ‘Cherry on top’ if you find something that is aesthetically beautiful.
Select>Pause> Edit
Now that you have gone through plenty of ideas on how to decorate a coffee table, choose which accents will suit your coffee table the best. Set them up in your mind, take a mental picture, and assess if they all look great together. If your coffee table (or tray) looks overcrowded, go back and skip an item. A good rule of thumb is to keep the décor well-balanced–not too little, not too much.
Have fun with changing your coffee table décor with the changing seasons. For instance, a white coral or coastal set up for summer and festive branches or for garlands for the holiday season.
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