How to decorate your coffee table

A coffee table is not just for putting your feet up and placing your coffee on. It is the focal point of your living area. It’s perhaps the most social place in your home where family or friends can sit down and converse with their dose of caffeine. 

Your coffee table is so much more than a surface to kick up your feet or place a glass of wine. As the focal point of your living room, it acts as an anchor for your ottomans, armchairs, and sofas.

What are 5 small tips on how to decorate your coffee table?

Vary in Height

 A coffee table serves many roles within a home. It's not only perfect for putting your feet up on a Sunday night, it is also a place for entertaining with family and friends.

Displaying an assortment of simple ornaments that vary in height will create a visual appeal. When all items are at the same eye level, nothing gets noticed. You must create interest, but don't over do it. The rule of three also takes a huge part in this, people agree that ornaments arranged in odd numbers are more appealing and memorable. Furthermore, they look more natural and less forced than even-numbered groupings.

Use Books

Place trendy books (preferably hardcover) and magazines on top of each other, but choose wisely and arrange neatly. A stack of 3-4 books is an ideal number for a coffee table - design your home like a pro and compliment book colours with one another. One big tip is to collect books in a common theme – for example, grouping books of a similar topic creates a real sense of continuity to your collection.

Stacked books include numerous layers but only leaves one footprint. This means, it counts for just one section of your coffee table decoration, leaving you with plenty of other options. Remember a book can also be a great conversation starter. Jessica Kiely from Wanderess Beauty suggested 3 books that offer an open conversation but more importantly inspire and educate. These could be:

1. Plant: Exploring the Botanical World
2. National Geographic Rarely Seen: Photographs of the Extraordinary
3. Of your own choice/style/desire: recycled art, eco fashion, ethical style

If you are anything like me and you're more interested in having a stack of 3 chunky books for the effect not the conversation, then I would definitely refine my options to Tom Ford , Chanel and Vogue. They are 3 hardback books with bold bulky writing that create a striking contrast against each other. 

Hint of Nature

Adorn your coffee table with a hint of nature with a small plant. If there is one thing you should remember, is that there are no rules when it comes to greenery. A hint of greenery and a bit of life is a must! Jessica Kiely from Wanderess Beauty suggests “A large stylish plant terrarium: This helps to improve air quality & aids with reducing stress. They are very stylish and on-trend right now as well, and very easy to take care of. They are planted in glass which is eco-friendly, and require very little water”.

Types of plants you should consider having on your coffee table:

1. Cactus  -  A cactus will display texture whilst adding an organic feel. These spiky little plants are resilient and don’t need much water or sunlight. 
2. Succulents - These fleshy plants are designed to retain moisture, making them low maintenance. This means they require little watering… Perfect! They can also survive in low light and bright light, this means you have plenty of options when placing your plant in your home. 
3. Aloe - Aloe or Aloe Vera are normally grown in tropical climates, but can grow inside almost any home perfectly fine. These are also a good nourishing source for soothing minor burns and irritations.

The Tray

A tray serves both a practical and trendy purpose by framing your dedicated items on your coffee table. This is a handy place to stash remotes or coasters (the classic items you normally throw down).

A tray will always make whatever you place down look neat and polished, it also makes it convenient to move them somewhere else in case you need the coffee table for alternative use. If you have a lot of square objects on your table then contrasting that with a round tray will soften some of those edges.

Scented Candles

The majority of people will suggest including a scented candle as this doesn't just illuminate the centre, it also creates a relaxed atmosphere. Jessica Kiely from Wanderess Beauty suggests “A large Rose Quartz candle holder - amazing for unconditional love with the Rose Quartz, and perfect mood with the candle (a non GMO soy or beeswax candle only of course!)”

Click on the button below to get free no obligation from our local trusted decorators at service.com.au to help design your homes!