Stylish Coffee Table Decor

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As one of the most used surfaces in your home, the coffee table is definitely a split-personality pieces of furniture. Coffee tables need to be a functional work surface, a decorative display surface and often act as additional seating, among many other things.

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Decorating the coffee table is one of the most common challenges I see clients facing. They are challenged by what to put on the coffee table, what scale of items to use, how to combine multiple pieces together, and how much stuff, is too much stuff.

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Accessorizing is one of the things I love most about decorating, and styling a coffee table is at the top of my list. Here are a few tips and tricks I use when decorating coffee tables:

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Determine what Function your Coffee Table needs To Serve. Is the table used by the kids to do homework, is it used as a foot rest or do you use your coffee table for causal meals in front of the tv? Evaluating how your coffee table is used will help in selecting not only the type to table you need, but the type of accessories that will work best for you.

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Accessorize with Scale in Mind. I always use several items in different sizes and scale when decorating coffee tables. You want to avoid having all the items on your table surface to be the same height or visual weight. Combining items with different heights, width and mass will give your table more style and interest.

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Mix I Up. When selecting items to decorate your coffee table, mix materials, finishes, and textures to give your display more interest. I love combining a natural material like wood or woven rattan with something metallic and smooth. Or a ceramic piece with a rustic stone or iron piece. Coffee tables are also a great spot to mix style…combine an ethnic piece with modern accessories.

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via Elle Decor, photo by Ken Hayden

Don’t Cover Every Inch of Surface. In most cases, leaving a bit of “breathing room” on the surface of your coffeee table will make the display feel real and natural. Plus, you’ll have room to place functional items like remotes, drinkware or magazines.

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Select a Focal Item. This is where scale really comes into play. You want one of the elements on your coffee table to be dominate. Maybe it’s an oversized vase or a larger decorative box….whatever the item, you want there to be a place for the eye to land when it takes in the coffee table decor.

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Use Coffee Table Books. Books are one of the most versatile decorative elements to dress your coffee table with. Not only do books add depth and dimension, but the surface can be used as display space for a smaller decorative item, giving them more impact and presence.

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via Elle Decor, photo by Simon Upton

Add Ambience with Candles. I love incorporating a candle into my coffee table decor. Whether you go with a glass hurricane or a smaller candle container, candles give your table decor a sense of comfort.

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And lastly,

Use Trays for Function and Style. Trays of all types are the perfect layering element for coffee table decor. Place your decorative elements atop a tray and you can easily remove it when the entire table surface space is needed. And, it your coffee table happens to be a fabric covered ottoman, or even an old army cot like the photo below, trays provide the hard surface you need to make the coffee table function well.