The coffee table is a multifunctional piece of furniture that often serves as the focal point of the living room. Generally, a coffee table acts as a central ‘hub’ where remote controls and magazines are stored, beverages are rested, and art or flowers are displayed. Once you’ve invested in a coffee table that suits your preferences, it’s time to decorate! Given that this furniture piece attracts so much attention, you’ll want to take some time to decide how exactly you’d like to style it.
There are several approaches to take in styling your coffee table. It might be helpful to start out with identifying the interior design style of your home. From there, you’ll want to mirror that style as you decorate your coffee table.
Read on to find out how to style your coffee table based on factors such as design styles, personal taste, and more.
Identify the Existing Style of Your home
To start out, you’ll want to think beyond the coffee table, focusing on the style of your home. The goal is to create a cohesive look that blends seamlessly with your existing decor. Once, you’ve established your home’s interior design style, decorate with some of our tips below:
For a Traditionally Styled Home
Traditional style in interior design typically involves furniture, lighting, and decor that evoke a classic, timeless look. To give your coffee table a traditional feel, start by anchoring it with an area rug of a warm color, such as burgundy or navy. Place a centerpiece, such as a vase with fresh flowers, in the middle of the table. Embellish the look with a stack of books, particularly those that aesthetically blend with the rest of your decor. Finally, add a few decorative items, such as a bowl or tray with some small candles, to complete the look.
For a Home with Modern Style
Modern interior design is distinguished by clean lines, uncluttered space and bold accent pieces. When decorating a coffee table in this style, try starting out with a large, gray area rug. For a bolder statement, choose a rug with a vibrant, abstract design. Place a modern centerpiece, such as a sculpture or abstract artwork, on the table. You’ll want to play with shape and form, two elements that are prominent in modern design.
For Homes with a Rustic Design
The term ‘rustic’ refers to a more natural, unrefined look. You’ll find a rustic look in farmhouse, coastal, and bohemian styled homes. With this style, there’s an emphasis on natural, organic elements and a subdued color palette. To style your coffee with rustic charm, start by going with an area rug made from natural fibers, such as jute or wool. From there, add a wooden tray, woven basket, or a few pieces of driftwood to give the table a more relaxed, organic feel. Tie the look together with a neutral-toned vase and a handful of dried pampas grass.
For a Home with ‘Transitional’ Style
Transitional interior design is marked by the blend of traditional and modern styles. The idea with this style is to balance the old with the new, creating a look that is entirely unique. You’ll want to carry that notion with you as you decorate your coffee table. For example, if you’ve chosen to go with a sleek, modern coffee table, you’ll have to balance the look by decorating it with a traditional centerpiece.
Now that you’ve identified the style of your home, here are a few additional tips for tying the look together successfully:
When in Doubt, Add a Decorative Tray
A tray is a multipurpose, decorative piece that may be used to hold items, rest beverages on, and create visual interest. Trays come especially handy to group together clusters of decor, such as candles, books and coasters.
When selecting a tray, take note of the existing decor in your living room. You’ll want to mirror elements such as color, shape and, especially, material. For example, in a living room with plenty of wood and other natural elements, a wooden tray or stone slab might work best.
Pro tip: For a circular coffee table, go with a rectangular or square tray, and vice versa. This helps to create visual interest and draws the eye towards the objects on the tray.
Play with Height to Create Variety
Uniformity is something to avoid when it comes to coffee table decor. It’s best to create variety in the height, shape and form of your decorations. To do so, experiment with using a small stack of books to elevate certain pieces.
Using this kind of approach means that the eye will be drawn to the tallest item on your coffee table. For that reason, you’ll want to make sure that your chosen tallest item is something worth showing off! A fresh bouquet of flowers or large decorative vase always does the trick if all else fails.
Decorate Your Coffee Table with Personality
The most important tip when decorating your coffee table is to use your own intuition and personality. With smaller projects like this, you truly are your own best interior designer. After all, you want your home and decor to inspire and energize you.
Decorating with personality might take extra time, but it’s worth the effort. If you find that you prefer more of a minimal look, stick to neutral colors and simple embellishments. On the flip side, if you like to make more of a splash, be sure to incorporate bright colors and patterns into your coffee table decor.
Find the Perfect Coffee Table and Get Decorating!
Are you looking for the perfect furnishings to decorate your home? Look no further than Star Furniture! We offer a wide selection of contemporary, classic, and modern furniture styles to fit any taste. From comfortable sofas and chairs to stylish tables and lamps, Star Furniture has it all. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are also ready to help you find the perfect piece to turn your house into a home.