Being a home décor blogger one question we get asked very very often is why we don’t have a center table / coffee table in the living room. And the only reason is cuz when we moved in Rio was just 3 years old and it was very important for us to give him a wide open space to move around and play. The open floor plan was designed such that the entire space from the balcony to the kitchen is unobstructed. And Rio loves it that way, we have running races and play hopscotch. But rest assured we made provision to have a makeshift center table when we have guests. That is the sole purpose of this entryway bench. It doubles up as our center table beautifully. We got the size custom made from out carpenter and if need be the top cushion is removable. All in all we are very happy with how it turned out.
Your center table / coffee table is like a blank canvas right in the heart of your living room. It is the one piece of furniture that can bring the whole room together. If you have been wondering about how to decide what accessories to style it with or how empty to leave it, then read on :
saying it with flowers
Whether store bought or fresh cut from your garden flowers will bring freshness to your living space and brighten up the room. The delicate white bougainvillea here create a beautiful contrast against the dark wooden solidity of the table and echo the pale accents of the cushions and wall installation. These are my favorite décor accessory when it comes to coffee tables.
Upholster it
An upholstered coffee table is an imaginative version of the pouf, this upholstered table drives home the bespoke look of the room. In this case, a beautiful self patterned fabric against the neutral palette of the sofas. A playful touch has been added with a little tray on top, filled with candles, lanterns and coasters. The coffee table in question is a versatile piece and the upholstered cushion coves off to showcase a beautiful table underneath.
Practicality over Vanity
Yes, the look of your coffee table styling is vital no doubt about that, but you have to remember to use items that are practical and not just used for the purpose of visual interest. For example Candles for scent, or coasters so you don’t have stains maybe a tissue paper holder or even toothpicks in a nice jar. Also upholstered tables are kinda useless when it comes to serving food or drinks on it. Not only is there a very real danger of spillage but also staining is a major concern so having an upholstered table where the top cushion comes off is having the best of both worlds. A sturdy surface is also most essential when using candles, especially if you have a carpet.
contain it with a tray & consider all angles
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, as in wood tray on wood table. try and mix up the materials for an impactful visual contrast. Also a common mistake we tend to make when thinking about how to style a coffee table is not taking into account how the table looks from all angles, 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.
A quick checklist to ensure you ace your coffee table styling every single time :
- Make sure your styling reflects the general theme of the surrounding and your personality shines through.
- Try and use a variety of objects of different heights, textures and purpose for a seamless visual contrast.
- Think beyond just looks and let practicality take precedence, whimsy is necessary but in small doses.
- Candles & Coffee table books are your best friends.
- Contain the articles with a tray and consider the layout from all angles.
- Also don’t forget to think about the under table, if the coffee table has legs and space beneath a rug/carpet is always a good idea.
- Lastly and most importantly leave room for pieces to breathe and keep the surrounding décor minimal to make the coffee table the highlight.
And that’s that hope these little things help you recreate the coffee table you always coveted.
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