Coffee Table Styling

The coffee table is the hardest surface in the house to style, because it has to look considered while still holding a cup of tea and the remote. Get it right and the whole living room reads as finished.

The formula is more forgiving than it looks. Work in odd numbers and three heights. A stack of books as the base, something sculptural for height, a tray to corral the small things, and one living element, a stem or a plant, to stop it feeling like a display. Leave a third of the surface empty. That gap is what makes the rest look deliberate.

Our coffee table styling range brings together books, trays, vases, candles, sculptural objects and decorative bowls. Pull three or four pieces rather than twelve, and let the table still do its actual job.

What should go on a coffee table?
A stack of books for the base, one sculptural object for height, a tray to corral small things and one living element such as a stem or plant. Three or four pieces is enough, and leave about a third of the surface clear.

What size tray suits a coffee table?
Aim for a tray about a third of the table's length so it groups things without taking over. Round trays soften a rectangular table, and our stainless steel decor trays come in sizes from 14cm to 26cm for smaller setups.

Can I put a candle on the coffee table?
Yes, on a tray or plate to catch drips and away from books and stems. A reed diffuser, such as one from Ecoya, gives the same scent without a flame, which is handy in a busy living room.

How do I style a round coffee table?
Work in a loose triangle rather than a line: a book stack, a vase and a small dish spaced around the centre. Keep the tallest piece off-centre so it does not block the view across the table.