Your coffee table is the focal point of the room so it’s important to get the styling right. With so many options out there, it’s difficult to know where to start. Luckily, we've been trawling the best coffee table styling out there, and we’ve drilled it down to some handy guidelines that the interior influencers seem to get right every time! Keep scrolling for some interior styling tips to take to your coffee table to the next level. 

1. STICK TO THE RULE OF THREE  

In some circumstances, symmetry works, but mostly it’s best to stick to the rule of thirds, so it doesn’t look too over-styled or clinical. You want it to look effortless. This could mean choosing three key objects for your coffee table or playing with three different heights. Play with vases, with or without flowers and twigs in, books, magazines, candles, sentimental trinkets, and decorative objects. 

2. LESS IS MORE  

Let’s be honest, the coffee table sees a lot of action. Despite its namesake, it sees much more than coffee. From keys to paperwork, loose change to sweet wrappers, magazines, and food trays. From a practical point of view, being able to move things from the coffee table quickly can be efficient so you don’t want to include things that are difficult to move. If you like to include small or thoughtful objects on your coffee table, you could style them on a tray that’s easy to move on and off.  

If your coffee table has a shelf, think about leaving either one surface free, whether that’s the tabletop or the shelf underneath. Adding objects to both can create a cluttered feel.  

From an aesthetic point of view, minimalism can create the most impact too. A cluttered coffee table may influence the mood. Some say, a tidy space equals a tidy mind, this could apply here. Your living room should be a place where you can relax and escape, and a pared-back approach can add to the calming feel.  

3. GET ORGANIC  

An object from nature, like a bouquet of flowers or plants, can bring vibrancy to the room, not to mention a fresh scent! It’s scientifically proven that being around nature can boost your mood too, so it could go some way to adding some color and energy to the room. You might want to choose plants that naturally cleanse the air like an Aloe Vera or spider plant. 

If you’re styling a minimal living room, a plant can bring femininity that could be needed to uplift the simplistic theme, and stop it from feeling clinical.  

If you don’t want the upkeep, accessorize with some synthetic flowers in a vase to bring the vibes without the extra effort!  

4. ADD SOME READING MATERIALS  

Coffee table books are a thing now. They’re beautifully presented thick, glossy books that almost serve as pieces of art. They can be stacked to add interest to the room and create a talking point. Use them purely for aesthetic purposes, or leave them there to flick through with your morning coffee, or for next time you have guests over. If you’re being really strategic, choose topics that you want to represent who you are. That might be fashion, beauty, interiors, or the environment.  

Choose all neutral colors to promote a minimal styling aesthetic, mix-and-match colors, or buy a brightly colored one to add an accent to the room.  

On the other hand, you could add some magazines. For a luxurious feel, choose aesthetic magazines. Art, beauty, and fashion magazines are often easy on the eye.   

5. CHOOSE A THEME  

Create a consistent theme throughout your room by ensuring that the objects on your coffee table fit in with the rest of the room theme. While mixing vintage and modern can work, bring it together with colors or details that tie them together so objects don’t look out of place. If you have a minimal living room, adding an intricately decorated vintage vase might look out of place, and you won’t be doing the object any justice.  

Consider the type of coffee table you have with the rest of the room too. Will it look too angular if everything in your room is square and linear, or could you soften the room with a curved edge?  

6. CONSIDER YOUR ACCESSORIES  

Chromes and shiny objects tend to add glamour while matt, neutral finishes create more of a simplistic feel. Candles can create a relaxing feel and bring a particular ambiance to the room. Everyone is different, so your styling choices are very personal. Choose objects that bring you joy and convey the mood you want to create. Is it warm and cozy? Playful and quirky? Traditional and country-inspired? Contemporary and minimal? Do you want statement-making or understated calm?  

7. CHOOSE THE RIGHT DESIGN  

You’ve got to look at it every day so make sure it’s right for your room and the vibe you want to create. 

Natural wood coffee tables add a rustic and warm feel to the room. Natural materials are used a lot in hygge! Glass tables can bring space to the room or area if you’re lacking on space or want to display objects on the shelves below. Metals bring an industrial feel, while plastic can look modern and quirky. Details like the shape of the table legs can influence the theme of a room more than you might realize. A traditional decorative style might look dated in a minimalist room, but feel right at home within a chic country room. If your coffee table is a statement shape or color, you may not want to add any objects at all as it could distract from its grandiosity.  

On the other hand, you don’t have to choose a table at all. Ottomans and footstools can be used as coffee tables too. Here is where trays come in super handy. You can make your footstool multi-use by adding a hard, flat surface to keep your coffee and trinkets.   

STYLING SKILLS AT THE READY...  

So, there you have it – a coffee table styling lesson inspired by the experts! Our best advice? Trawl magazines, Instagram, and Pinterest for styling ideas and save your favorites. From your favorites, identify what they all have in common – perhaps it’s a particular color palette, the same objects keep popping up or you’re always drawn to a particular arrangement style? Then gather some objects that fit with your chosen theme and inspiration and aim to recreate it with your personal touch!