How to Style a Coffee Table

Styling, Copy, and Graphics:
Alaina Kaczmarski

The focus of any living or family room lies in its two predominant pieces of furniture: the sofa and the coffee table, the latter of which usually ends up as a stand-in dining table or a respite for remote controls. These two items are usually the first people seek to purchase when they have their first place and are commonly the first to be upgraded from garage sale finds to more costly, investment pieces.

Whether your coffee table is a DIY project thrift store find, a pair of $7 Ikea end tables, or the statement piece you splurged on, it’s worth taking the time to decorate and style like you would any other area of your home. After all, it’s frequently the centerpiece of many homes, especially if you live in a smaller house or apartment.

Including these five items make styling a coffee table an easy task:

Natural elements to add color and bring the outdoors in (especially you, city dwellers)
Candlelight to add ambiance and possibly fresh scent to the room
Books to entertain visitors
Decorative accents to spark conversation among guests and add interest
Tray to organize the previously stated items

And just like with styling an entryway (and all areas in your home), don’t rush this process. Find the pieces you love, the books you’ll read time and time again, and the scented candle you’ll find yourself lighting night after night.

Scroll through the feature for more tips on styling your coffee table, and remember, most items in the feature can be clicked on for purchase or source information!

And tell us: which coffee table look is your favorite? Feminine elegance, rustic neutral, or color splash?

alaina kaczmarski danielle moss brooke klauer

jayson home and garden

design darling anthropologie west elm pottery barn pyar and co ikea

http://twitter.com/CaitPBrown Caitlin Brown

just, yes.
Ksasek79

Beautiful displays and photographs! As always such a well done job. I’m still looking for a tray but none have caught my eye. I like the one in the feminine elegance picture with the black and gold. Where did you get it? I’m also thinking of swapping out my coffee table for an ottoman! Thanks for the eye candy today and keep up the good work!

PS. I really really need to find that tray. Beautiful!!!!!!!

Ksasek79

Or at least something similar! I feel another treasure hunt coming on! Lol
http://theeverygirl.com/ The Everygirl

If you are referring to the gold tray, it is from Design Darling, and can be clicked on in the feature.

Ksasek79

No the black and gold print one that is holding the gold cards and the candle.

Kimberly Bourne

Love ALL three of them! Just beautiful! You ladies, Danielle and Alaina are very talented! http://pastelpinkpaisley.blogspot.com/

http://theeverygirl.com/ The Everygirl

Thank you, Kimberly!

Sarah

Such a tough choice between feminine elegance and the pops of color!! I have been obsessed with that wishbone for months now though, so I guess that helps break the tie!
Jolie Jouel

Love seeing how different people style their coffee tables…it’s harder than it looks to get it interesting without being cluttered! I am leaning toward style #2 for my home.

joliejouel.blogspot.com
http://jordanbeaston.blogspot.com/ Jordan

I have been googling “how to style a coffee table” for weeks. This was exactly what I needed!

http://theeverygirl.com/ The Everygirl

Glad we could help!

MaryCarolSommers

I am in love with color splash. It’s awesome how you put the books beneath it. I would’ve thought that would look cluttered and terrible, but it looks fabulous. Plus, I’m always looking for more creative ways to store my continually growing book collection.
http://ashleynicolecatherine.blogspot.com/ ashley

so gorgeous! of course my fave is the feminine elegance
http://rosalovesdc.tumblr.com/ RosaLovesDC

Great ideas! And of course I fell in love with the Design Darling trays… running to place an order now…
cherylpisha

Love this feature! We’ve been looking to restyle our coffee table….and now I’ve got some great ideas.

Thanks ladies!
http://fancyfunction.wordpress.com/ Christine

Love! And I’m always looking for ways to update/change the items on my coffee table so that things don’t get boring/
http://morganstone.blogspot.in/ Morgan @ {xoxo, me}

This is so amazingly helpful. Thank you thank you thank you!
http://profiles.google.com/azavala2 Adriana Zavala

I love these posts!!! and your website
http://www.acreativedayblog.com/ Acreativedayblog

LOVE every single vignette. simply gorgeous!
Elise Dean

the feminine elegance table is just perfect!
Andreakaz

love the options….this is my next project in the house. great suggestions and variety, ladies.
Grace – Stripes & Sequins

LOVED this feature! So much fantastic inspiration!
http://goodlifeforless.blogspot.com JillGG

I absolutely LOVE these styling tips. I feel like I am constantly battling the coffee table to keep it cute and friendly, while not collecting junk! I do have one question… what do you suggest for round coffee tables? I feel like square trays look to angular on my round coffee table – maybe a round tray?
Ali

Can you please help!!? Where in the world did you find the pillows?! Lol I would like to buy them all…basically do this whole look! It’s flawless! And the pink candle sticks if you remember!

http://theeverygirl.com/ The Everygirl

The gold pillow is Pyar & Co. , feather pillow is no longer available, and the other is made of some not so budget friendly fabric. Hope that helps!

carrie peterson

id love to see your design ideas for an ottoman used as coffee table- we have a great oversized ikea (ektorp) ottoman that we want to use as a coffee table in our common space w/ a tray or something of the like to give us a hard surface on top but we haven’t been able to find much in the way of inspired ideas or advice on how to stylishly (& affordably!) use an ottoman as a coffee table

http://theeverygirl.com/ The Everygirl

This is a great idea. Give us some time & we’ll make it happen.

Mhamill

Love it all. You guys are so talented Especially love the brown and white chevron rug in your feminine post. Where is it from??
Amanda G.

Perfect post- I just got a new coffee table and side tables that need decoration. The photos and items in each of these designs are gorgeous! Thank you for the amazing ideas!

I am ALL over Design Darling site now– thanks for sharing!
AmyCollins25

LOVE all of this!!
http://twitter.com/MyersMaison Lauren!

I love the feminine elegance, but I also love the color splash. Great post!

MyersMaison.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/KristinaMGulino Kristina Gulino

Sadly, I always struggle with this. Love these ideas! The rustic one (#2) is my fave!

Kristina
Nook & Sea
http://kkerrdesign.blogspot.com/ Kristin Kerr

Great work ladies! I love everything!
Rose

All three are very well done. Love the rustic neutral! Calm and serene.
http://twitter.com/CaitPBrown Caitlin Brown

loveeee them all. but gotta say: i think the rustic neutral is my jam.
Jo Style

I love all of these – I can’t even pick a favorite! You girls are doing an amazing job with The Every Girl – such a pleasure to read everyday!
xx
Joanna
ME

OBSESSED with rustic neutral. Such a great piece. Thanks, Everygirls!!
http://twitter.com/GlamaMama Christine Da Costa

OMG….I do love them all….they are fabulous and oh so glam, esp. feminine elegance!!
Ktaylor88

I LOVE the print in the wall in the background– the color is perfect…wish I could find one that size that didn’t break the bank. Beautiful cheerful living room…
http://eyesearsmouthlens.com/ lauren | eyes/ears/mouth+lens

Amazing, amazing feature!! These styling tips are going to come in such handy for me in a few months
Libbye

Great photography. Love the horse! Another job well done ladies.
Maha

I was about to ask for the source of the rustic table and saw that you’ve already thought of it. Love the website! Great inspiration.
Laney

Love the styling!! They are all amazing. I’m having trouble styling my own coffee table because it is round! Any suggestions??
Yael Shuval

I just took this advice! Ikea LACK coffee table, cork tray with a cinnamon candle, miniature olive tree in a white pot, pile of gold and black books.
KayKay

I’m so not impressed by this post! I usually love the styling in your individual blogs, Danielle-your apartment is like my dream home, but this post is disappointing. The pictures are more staging than actual homes. The coffee table is usually parallel to the tv, I don’t see the point of having decor that would block the tv..sorry ladies.
Will continue to check out the sites and your individual blogs
Esmethoman

Lovely! Do you happen to have a source for the pink/blush thin candles in the first styling? Love them! Thanks for your help!!
http://microrrelatososhortstories.wordpress.com/ Alexandra

fabulous…though the ambiance might be different the common element: books!!
Jessica

Beautiful coffee table vignettes!
I just did a post on this…. how to mix and match different elements to create your own style…. you might like to take a look?http://jessicabuckley.co.uk/coffee-table-vignettes/Great feature xx
Dorina

so lovely!!!!
Smernst

Love the look of feminine elegance! Curious of the sofa? I have been looking for a style just like that and have not been successful. Ordered several of the items displayed! Thanks for the help!

Alyssa Stewartson

Its the Rockefeller sofa in charcoal, it is very expensive though.
Alyssa Stewartson

http://www.fashionforhome.com/chelsea-dark-grey-3-seat-sofa.html heres a look-alike

Milyna

I’m interested in the coach and throw pillows…any idea where I can purchase them? Looking to furnish my new NYC apartment!

Alyssa Stewartson

I think it’s the rockefeller sofa…here’s another look-alike: http://www.fashionforhome.com/chelsea-dark-grey-3-seat-sofa.html

Lizzie

This is beautiful! Can you tell me where the zig zag rug is from?
Jessica Biron

The clear coffee table with the books…I die
Melinda Engelman

Great ideas. Thanks for the inspiration!
beautyaroundit.blogspot.com
Martienne Philosophique

Where did you buy these pink candles?
http://www.bes.co.uk/ plumbing

A dining table and chairs can gobble space; consider building a corner of banquette seating with hidden storage. You’ll need fewer chairs, save on space, and gain extra storage.
Guest

I’d like to know where I could find the couch?

Alyssa Stewartson

It’s the Rockefeller sofa in charcoal I think, heres a look-alike: http://www.fashionforhome.com/chelsea-dark-grey-3-seat-sofa.html

Stephanie

I am in LOVE with everything! But my absolute favorite is the color splash coffee table. In fact I Love the whole thing! Could you recommend any drapes/curtains? You have completely inspired me to redecorate my Living room!
Alyssa Stewartson

Feminine Elegance. Where can I find that pinkish fur pillow???
http://sashapearl.blogspot.com/ Sasha

Love this! About to do a feature on the best coffee table books, and this will totally be referenced! Check it out!

xo,Sasha @ sashapearl.blogspot.com