Coffee Table Styling: 5 Ways

What’s on your coffee table right now?  Mine has a vase of pretty flowers, a vintage book, my hubby’s glasses, and a bottle of water. More often than not, my coffee table is a combination of a pretty vignette and everyday items. It’s easy to let the coffee table become a catchall for magazines, remotes, and empty coffee mugs, but I’m trying to be better at keeping it pretty and organized. So today I’m sharing 5 ideas for coffee table styling.

There are so many different approaches to coffee table styling. Really, you can put just about anything on it as long as you like it. And that’s key … that you should like it. But if you need a little help, I’ve got a few tips for you.

 

For this exercise, I’m using the coffee table in my family room. It’s actually my toy trunk from childhood. My dad made it when I was little and I remember some of the toys stored in it. Once I acquired it I painted and distressed it. It now contains blankets and throws.

 

Fresh Flowers. One of the easiest approaches to coffee table styling is adding fresh flowers.

 

I have Virginia Bluebells all over the yard so they were the obvious choice for my table. I love their droopy little heads and if you look closely, you’ll see touches of pink in the flowers.

 

I plucked a small handful of grape hyacinths too. They’re so dainty and look pretty in my mini white pitcher. To elevate them, I chose a vintage book in the same shade of blue, a small white ironstone platter and a few ironstone butter pat dishes.

 

Table Runner.  Who says a table runner has to be relegated to the dining table? I used a textured runner from World Market to add a layer of texture to the coffee table. A stack of favorite decorating books makes for fun reading.

 

My new lavender plant will add light fragrance to the room once it starts blooming. If you lightly rake your hand against the leaves, you release the scent and your hands will smell nice.

 

Tea Service.  This one is obvious. When friends are coming over, all you need to decorate your coffee table is tea service. In this case, iced tea service.

 

To add a little softness, I tucked a branch from my rose bush inside one of my frosted blue vases.

 

Favorite Collection. Coffee table styling can be easy when you simply gather a favorite collection together. For me, it’s my vintage aqua bottles. To add interest, I stacked a couple shorter bottles on paper mache boxes.

 

I grouped some of the bottles on a tray. Almost any type of collection will work on a coffee table, but if you have small children, you’ll want to be careful about your choice.

 

Natural Elements. Plants and mossy balls are always a good option for coffee table styling.

 

I propped up the smaller items with a cardboard suitcase dressed in vintage maps. But there’s more than one reason for the small suitcase.

 

It holds the TV remote controls, and any of those other everyday items that clutter the table.

What items do you like to use on your coffee table?

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