Styling a round coffee table
How to decorate a round coffee table – 8 ideas to try
When thinking of ways to decorate a round coffee table keep in mind that unlike a square one - where you typically have a lot of space for your favorite styling accessories and area leftover for functionality - a round table's decor needs to be a little more considered.
‘The impact of a well-appointed coffee table should not be overlooked,’ says Lisa Kahn, founder of Finding Sanctuary by Lisa Kahn Design. ‘It is often at the center of a space that connects people as they perch in adjacent seating. Objects on the table may end up serving as a conversation starter, a mood enhancer, a platform to showcase personal interests and collections, or a display area for the things we wish to use to connect to those gathered around the table.’
Decorating a round coffee table, when done right, can look like a piece of jewelry in the room; a wonderful focal point that brings the room's scheme together. To create an aesthetically pleasing set-up and to add to your living room, we decided to bring you key points to keep in mind while decorating and help you create an effortlessly stylish coffee table.
Aditi is a homes writer and editor with several years of experience. Her articles, backed by expert insights, offer suggestions aimed at helping readers make the best home design choices. For this article, she spoke to top experts to understand ways to style a round coffee table.
8 fresh ways to decorate a round coffee table
One thing to keep in mind is that different coffee table shapes lead to different styled looks. This is because the table top will have different parameters you have to work within. Remember, to style a coffee table it’s important to note that you view the tabletop from all directions, especially important for a round table. So don’t style with the front of your pieces all facing the same way.
Another rookie error while styling a round table is that people tend to use too many circle-shaped objects. This can make the table look too symmetrical, thus boring or unnoticeable. It's a good idea to bring in clashing shapes for an eye-catching look; a big coffee table trend as well.
1. Add wooden platters for a rustic look
(Image credit: LOAK)
Layering is always a good tool to add finesse and a sense of coziness to a space. While we think of colors and fabrics for layering, consider textures too. If you have a tactile coffee table material, say wood or stone, make its decor look coordinated and together too.
Trays are the perfect coffee table decor, and a way to create order on a table. Add wooden platters on a wooden table and create an attractive grouping. Consider the finish of the tray and contrast it with the surface of the table. A light wood table with a dark wood platter would look smart.
2. Coffee table books are always a good idea
(Image credit: James Merell)
'Books, books, and more books,' says Lance Thomas, principal designer at Thomas Guy Interiors . 'I like to divide my coffee table into even sections and place a stack of books in each section. Structured maximalism is my style guide for coffee tables.
The only time I go minimal is when the coffee table is playing the hero in space. I've even been known to place a small table lamp in one of those quadrants for an unexpected ambient lighting surprise.'
You might be tempted to keep a stack of thin books on the table, and that's okay if it's magazines, but for a more eye-catching setup, you want the books to be thick.
Another small but important point to keep in mind is the theme of the book. Try to find interesting volumes; say an encyclopedia, a book on famous paintings, or a good prose book. This could encourage the guests to pick it up when there's a painful pause during conversations. At other times, the books will be a reflection of your taste and interests.
'Depending on the coffee table size, you can pile three books on top of each other or spread them out if it's a bigger table into three piles of two,' says Charlotte Sitton, founder of Organised by Charlotte. 'It can look colorful as well as interesting,'
‘We think of coffee tables like dining tables, as heritage furniture pieces that get passed down through families and generations,’ says Emily Lauren, founder of Emily Lauren Interiors .
‘Oftentimes, seating arrangements are centered around a coffee table in rooms where we create memories with countless conversations and gatherings. We use our coffee tables to display our favorite books or collected pieces from our travels that are meaningful to us and tell our stories.’
3. Centre the arrangement with dried grasses
(Image credit: Living with Lolo. Photo credit Life Created)
For a round coffee table, make sure your pieces or objects it in a cluster, arranged in the center of your table. This will help create a focal point.
For the living room fall decor theme, set up pampas grass in a vase – this will create a lovely, brown, autumnal vibe. 'Even dried twigs and leaves, placed inside beautiful vases will do,' says Ajay Arya, founder of A Square Designs . 'If not, use charming cake stands and cookie jars of different styles to decorate the table – you can also place cut fruits for an eye-catching vignette.'
LyuHome Nesting Coffee Table from Amazon
This round coffee table, along with a side table, made of MDF is lightweight and combines modern and rustic styles.
Perfect for the living room or the bedroom, this piece is easy to move around in the house, and also convenient to clean.
4. Miniature sculptures will create interest
(Image credit: Chicago Studio)
If you have two round coffee tables as your living room furniture, give each of them a unique look. While one can have books and pretty boxes, the other can double as a display unit for interesting sculptures. 'Boxes on a coffee table can store clutter, (think remotes or coasters) or conceal a treasure you want to reveal upon closer inspection,' says Anna Popov, founder of Interiors by Popov .
These are also like tiny living room storage pieces. She suggests using boxes made of wood, crystal, mother of pearl, and raffia, in interesting sizes and shapes.
Mini sculptures, on the other hand, can become conversation starters. These could be hand-painted, made of paper-mâché, or carved in wood, picked up during your travels. Make sure you keep these figurines and knick-knacks grouped or your books all stacked on one another, as an organization between similar decor items makes the table look less chaotic and more pleasing to look at.
5. Consider a big bunch of fresh flowers
(Image credit: Jessica Lagrange Interiors credit Douglas Friedman)
'One of the best parts of the upcoming season is the changes it brings to the outside world,' says Alison Hughes, interiors director at Coast Road Furniture . 'But this doesn’t mean that you can’t admire autumnal nature in your own home. There are lots of different parts of the season you can enjoy in your living room. For example, you could try crafting your autumnal bouquet and displaying it in your favorite vase on the coffee table,' says Alison. 'There is a great range of colorful flowers which are in bloom next season, including chrysanthemum, aster, and poppies.'
Looking to add a Christmas vibe to your living room already? Consider a Christmas flower arrangement for your coffee table!
6. Bring in more greenery in the living room with houseplants
(Image credit: Maestri Studio. Photo credit Jenifer McNeil Bake)
This is the season to love and show off houseplants.
..well, if truth be told, it's always the season for houseplants! Think of sculptural plants; ones that have interesting shapes, long, leathery leaves, or eye-catching root structures. Spider plants are a good bet; perhaps even succulents are a fair option.
Place these inside pretty pots or bowls and bring life and softness to the living room decor. Remember though, if you have dogs or cats at home that can access the coffee table, you should perhaps only place pet-friendly houseplants. Also remember to care for these, with their watering and sun requirements, and you may have to move these in and out of the house often.
7. Keep a piece of driftwood for an artsy look
(Image credit: Maestri Studio. Photo credit Jenifer McNeil Baker)
Another artistic yet earthy way to decorate the coffee table is with a driftwood piece. This will contribute to a natural living room look if you're going for one. A big benefit of an arrangement like this is that it is perfect for indoors or outdoors and will last much longer than typical flower arrangements.
Also, you want to fill the coffee table up with your styled objects but still leave room for it to be functional, say to place a coffee mug or a book. You also don’t want plant leaves drooping into your drinks. Make sure you leave enough space between your objects and the edge of the coffee table.
Recaceik Coffee Table Set from Amazon
This coffee table set can transform any living room into a more comfortable and relaxing space. It's designed in a matte faux marble, with gold-painted legs.
8. Think of terracotta vases on coffee tables
(Image credit: Ravi Vazirani)
These vases aren’t a matching set, but follow a similar theme and together make for an eye-catching collection; ideal for coffee tables or even living room side tables. The terracotta pieces look striking against the black table, while the feet sculptures add layering to the tabletop.
'Odd numbers win when styling a coffee table,' says Mary Patton, founder of Mary Patton Design .
'You can’t go wrong with a set of three items. I like to play around with texture and height when styling; one set-up that always works is one large book, a decorative piece like a vase, and a candle.'
What shape tray goes on a round coffee table?
(Image credit: Amoeba Design)
There is no set rule to this, as both circular and square/rectangular trays can be placed on a round coffee table. However, the size of the coffee table does matter in the selection of the tray.
If you have a large round table, you could consider placing a rectangular tray on it, but a diagonal placement will look better and make for an elegant living room decor. For smaller tables, it's better to maintain symmetry, and so a round tray should be preferred.
Keep the size of the tray too in mind. Don't choose a large round tray and cover the coffee table entirely, unless that is something you're specifically going for. A smaller tray will make sure it fits on the tabletop and doesn't get knocked over by passersby or pets.
A good size for most coffee tables is 22 by 22 inches. For some longer coffee tables, you may be able to put two of these on the table.
How to Style a Coffee Table: All Shapes Explained
Today I’m sharing my 18 insider tips on how to style a coffee table. It’s a topic design clients and blog readers are always asking for help with, so I figure now is as good a time as any to jump into this style challenge.
The thing to keep in mind with this topic is that different coffee table shapes will all be styled differently. They have to be because the table top will have different parameters you have to work within. So below I want to outline my general rules when it comes to coffee table styling, and then I’ll get more specific around individual table shapes after that.
By the end of this post I hope to have you feeling super confident when it comes to decorating your coffee table. You might even come to understand there are some things you’ve been doing wrong that can be made right.
Let’s get started!
Universal Rules for Styling a Coffee Table
These 18 tips apply to all coffee table sizes, shapes and colours. They’re the universal rules you can follow to make sure your decorated coffee table looks amazing. Once you’ve absorbed these general guidelines we can get stuck into some more individual ideas for your particular coffee table shape further down.
I should point out before we go any further that all of the images in this post come via Coco Republic. I’ve been on their website lately specifying furniture for clients and I’m blown away by how chic their styling is. I’m sure you’ll get ideas here on how to style a coffee table, but I bet you’ll get some additional inspo from their living room shots too!
1. Ensure the Styling Reflects your Theme
No home should feel overly themed, but you should have a cohesive vibe going on. Is it a calm and soothing space that gives a nod to a Hamptons style, or a coastal/boho vibe, for example? Whatever it is, ensure the objects on your coffee table tap into that scheme.
2. Make Sure Your Personality Shines
Brand new store-bought decor is lovely, but your coffee table styling should also reflect your individuality. I’ve told you before why you need more weird stuff in your home, and your coffee table is the perfect place to showcase those wacky keepsakes and travel mementoes.
3. Use Objects of Different Heights
There should be a number of objects at different heights on your coffee table. You want the eye to go on a visual journey; up and down the ornaments on the table to create a sense of interest. Don’t have them so high that you can’t see over them when seated on your sofa, but do explore different levels.
4. Showcase a Medley of Textures
Texture is super important. All too often you’ll see coffee tables with objects of the same material. Like a glossy vase beside a glossy bird ornament on a glossy tray. That’s too much of the one finish. Ideally you don’t repeat the same finish at all. Instead, explore tactile materials that look and feel different.
5. Explore Depth of Field
What I mean by this is, don’t have all the objects in a line. Have tall objects at the back of your coffee table arrangement, and then shorter ones in front. Think of it like a family photo; you want everyone to be seen. Instead of a row, though, think of the arrangement as a cluster or items, with some closer and some further away.
6. A Flower or Plant is Essential
A flower arrangement or plant is an essential ingredient when styling a coffee table. And you can go fake here if you need to (I do it all the time in client homes). A plant or flower brings life and softness to the scene, and can break up the potential monotony of too many hard-items.
Here’s my list of top fake plant suppliers if you’re a black thumb like me.
7. Think Beyond Just Looks
The look of your coffee table styling is vital, but you have to think of the other senses. We’ve covered having tactile items you want to touch, but also consider scent.
A fragrance candle is the easiest way to do this. I include a candle in most of my client’s coffee table styling scenes. It also introduces a nice circular shape to the scene.
Here’s my top 18 Aussie candle brands here if you need some ideas.
8. Use Larger Items Over Trinkets
You want to have just the right amount of pieces on your table. We’ll explore your individual coffee table shape further down, but as a general rule larger items look better than loads of little trinkets. Lots of small items can make the scene feel messy. Larger items mean you can enjoy more visual impact without the cluttered feel.
9. Contain Items with a Tray
If you have a larger table and want to showcase a number of items, a tray is a great way to contain all of the pieces. On a larger table, you can house an array of items in a tray and then still have room to pop books beside the tray. Just ensure the tray is not the same material as your coffee table top.
Here’s 20 of the best coffee table trays for your place in an array of design styles.
10. Think About the Table from All Angles
When thinking about how to style a coffee table it’s important you remember that this is a scene you view from all directions. So don’t style with the front of your pieces all facing the same way. Of course, when it comes to books the spine is going to face a certain way by design, but other objects can be pointed in different directions.
11. Book Stacks are Your Friend
Stack like you’ve never stacked before when it comes to books on your coffee table. I mentioned earlier that varying heights in objects is really important, and a book is a great way to elevate an ornament. Stack three books and pop an odd-shaped ornament on top and it becomes the hero of the scene.
12. Ensure Books are Thick and Themed
A rookie error I do see some people make is having a stack of thin books on the table. That’s OK if it’s a collection of magazines on a tray, but for the most part you want the books to be thick. You also need to ensure they relate to the home and the room.
You don’t want a cookbook on your living room coffee table, for example. Keep the book topics inspiring; something you can pick up and flick through.
13. A Colour Scheme is Key
The coffee table is a smaller reflection of what’s going on in the room overall. So, while the style of the objects is important, so is colour. You don’t want a colour on your tray that’s nowhere else in the room; it will just look odd. Instead, pull colours from places like cushions, rugs and artwork. It’ll make the whole scene feel really cohesive.
14. Think About Under the Table
Depending on your coffee table style, there might be room to decorate underneath it. I don’t necessarily mean with small objects (though you may have a shelf here for coffee table books), but with furniture like an ottoman or pouffe. You could also explore storage baskets under the table, which can hold remote controls and make the scene feel very resolved.
15. House Practical Objects
People often ask me how to style a coffee table with practicality in mind.
You know, how do you keep day-to-day items within reach and keep them looking nice? Storage boxes are a godsend for remote controls, but also ensure you get some great coasters that suit the coffee table theme you’re going for. Matches for candles can also be showcased in glass jars rather nicely.
16. Contrast Against your Coffee Table Top
You want to avoid styling your coffee table with items in the same finish as your table top. So avoid marble pieces on a marble table, black timber pieces on a black timber table, and so on. You want contrast in colour, sure, but contrast in material is far more important.
17. Include some Odd-Shaped Items
Another rookie error people make when styling a coffee table is that they have too many circle-shaped objects. The scene ends up looking quite boring and flat. To remedy this, look to bizarre object shapes. I’m talking fluid shapes that don’t look clean. Think things like branches, coral, and even balls with spikes on them.
They make a huge difference.
18. Leave Room for Pieces to Breathe
Lastly, scale is really important. You want to fill the coffee table up with your styled objects but still leave room for day-to-day activity like putting a drink down. You also don’t want plant leaves drooping into your drinks, so just keep an eye on that. Leave an adequate gap between your objects and the edge of the coffee table.
OK, we’ve covered off the general rules, now here are some quick-fire tips on how to style a coffee table that’s round, square, rectangle and oval.
How to Style a Round Coffee Table
- The rule of three is a great idea here. Three large objects at different heights works well
- I tend to put a plant or flower as the tallest moment, then a candle, then a stack of books
- You can add coasters on top of the books if you need them
- I tend to avoid trays on round tables, but if you must, go for a round tray – square looks odd
- Your objects should sit in a cluster on the centre of your table
How to Style a Square Coffee Table
- It’s wise to break up the table into a few sections; three main ‘scenes’ on the table works well
- You want to have these objects for a rough triangle shape on the table top
- Use a rectangular tray as one scene and then cluster items like flowers, a candle and a coaster on it
- Beside the tray, look to a large object with a random shape like a round bowl or some coral
- Your last item on the table, sitting beside the tray and odd-shaped object can then be a stack of books
How to Style a Rectangle Coffee Table
- It’s wise to break the length of table up into three parts
- However, don’t feel the need to space the three parts equally along the table
- Create one large moment a little off-centre on the table top
- Either side of your larger moment, create a collection of smaller vignettes (book stack, tray etc)
- Keep depth of field in mind; have some objects closer to the front of the table, and some further back
How to Style an Oval Coffee Table
- Oval tables can go one of two ways; mirroring a round table or going for a formal option
- The round table philosophy includes showcasing three moments at different heights in the centre of the table (flower, candle and set of coasters, for example)
- The formal way to do it is to have one major moment in the centre (like a flower or plant) and then have two smaller moments of similar heights either side (like a book stack)
I hope this post has you all clued up on how to style a coffee table.
If you have any questions for me please don’t hesitate to drop them below. I also have a members-only Facebook group you can join to get style advice from me and the TLC community. Post a pic and have us all weight in with some style advice. It’s fun and friendly, and you can join the Facebook group here.
Happy coffee table styling at your place!
45 examples and some useful tips - INMYROOM
Interior decor
Placing a coffee table in the living room is only half the battle. So that it does not become a burden for the interior, it must be beautifully designed. Various examples and practical advice in this post
Most modern living rooms have such a piece of furniture, like a coffee or coffee table. And often not only present, but also is literally the center of all furniture compositions.
That is why the design of this decorative element requires approach with special care. After all, a coffee table can make the missing harmony in the design of the room, and can become a dissonant spot in the interior.
So, how can you decorate this whimsical piece of furniture?
flowers bring freshness to any interior. So why not put them on the coffee table? We are talking here not only about bouquets, but also about houseplants.
And if you are a happy owner of an unusual table, you may be able to break small garden.
plate or fruit bowl will be a perfect addition to flowers or an independent composition decorating a coffee table. Bright colors and pleasant aromas will enliven the overall atmosphere of the room.
Another win-win option is candles . They are harmoniously combined with almost any style of interior and bring an element of romance into the atmosphere.
To justify the name of the table and make the interior of the room more intelligent, you can add a variety of books and magazines . They will perform both decorative and entertaining functions.
In addition, frames with photos of loved ones can be placed on the table.
Or your favorite souvenirs that you are especially proud of. If you do not want these gizmos to attract the attention of guests, and not gather dust on the shelf, they should be on the center table.
original compositions will look good in vases or on dishes. They emphasize the individual style and creativity of the owner of the home.
A light source located in the center of a room can transform it. Lamp on a coffee table can change your perception of the interior and become the missing bright accent.
Pro tips
- Try not to disturb the overall style of the room. Remember that minimalism does not tolerate bulky subject compositions, and eclecticism, on the contrary, allows you to express yourself to the fullest.
- To avoid color confusion, it is recommended to choose bright objects for the coffee table in accordance with the shades present in the room.
- If the surrounding interior is done in discreet monochrome tones, you have a chance to make the composition on the coffee table a bright decorative accent.
Place on it several items made in rich saturated colors.
10 Stylish Ways - INMYROOM
Interior Decor
Whether you just want to add chic to your living room or you need to decorate a coffee table for photography - our tips will be equally useful in both cases
On the one hand, coffee table decor is a very simple story. On the other hand, it is a task that requires knowledge of composition and a sense of taste. Using the best interiors from Russian designers as an example, we tell you what items to choose for table decor and how to properly arrange them.
Need to know: the rule of three
The number 3 is symbolic in many areas of life, and interior design is no exception. The size and shape of the table does not matter - a set of three items will be a self-sufficient decoration. You should not take the rule as an axiom and adhere to it literally, but it really works - it's not for nothing that professional decorators use it.
Design: Crossby Studios
Design: DAO Decor
Design: Irina Krivtsova
Now let's talk about how to choose the right items for decorating a coffee table. Memorize These 12 Stylish Tips!
1. Books as a base
Books with pretty covers (and other flat items like trays or fashion magazines) are great decorations that showcase your interests. Try taking three books that are roughly the same size and stack them. The composition can be complemented by a tray, a vase of flowers or an original piece of decor.
Design: Ariana Ahmad, Tatyana Karyakina
Design: Zhenya Zhdanova. Photo: Evgeny Kulibaba
Design: Zhenya Zhdanova. Photo: Eugene Kulibaba
2. Square and circle
Books allow you to create a clear structure. But if there are too many rectangles and squares, the table becomes cluttered and heavy. Dilute strict geometry with a round object - you will like the result!
Design: Berphin Interior
3.
Different heights Another way to add some dynamism to your coffee table decor is to play with heights. And here again there is a place for the “Rule of Three”.
Take items of various sizes and group them on the table top. Experiment with the location of the decor - slight asymmetry often looks better.
Design: Lavka design. Photo:
Design: Irina Krasheninnikova
4. Flowers and candles
Flowers and candles are the best way to add height to your arrangement. You can decorate the table with a bouquet in a vase or a houseplant in a pot. Succulents also look beautiful and original when there are several of them and they are of different types.
Candles add extra glamor to any decor. And if you have several candlesticks, try experimenting with the height of the candles by trimming them differently from the bottom. Such a composition will look more interesting.
Design: Marina Filippova
Design: Svetlana Ivanova
5.
Houseplants Both a slender orchid and a cute violet in a ceramic pot can play a major role in coffee table decor. Choose a plant depending on the style of the interior and the mood reigning in it.
Design: Nadya Zotova, Enjoy Home
Design: Anna Erman
Design: Ksenia Turik
6. Square table
Do not emphasize the shape of the table with decor - play on the contrast. Place a tall vase in one corner and a stack of a couple of books in the opposite corner. Another solution that decorators love is to move all objects to one side.
Design: DAO Decor
7. Glass table
When we decorate a glass table, the emphasis automatically falls on what is underneath. That is, on the floor. Selection of a carpet with a graphic pattern for a transparent table is an actual solution. You can lay a black and white carpet, then objects that echo its shape or color will look especially impressive on the countertop. And you can leave the surface completely bare, and give the main violin to the carpet.
Design: Elena Simkina
Design: Lyudmila Kalabekova
Design: Ekaterina Kozlova
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8. Two levels
If the table has a lower shelf, it is not necessary to fill both levels. But if you want to, then try to use the principle of layering here too. You can deviate from the "rule of three" and play with pairs of objects, and do not forget about different heights. On the lower level, a small storage box or neatly laid out books will look good.
Design: Tatyana Ivanova
Design: Semper Arte
Design: Pavel Polynov Studio
