I Asked 11 Interior Designers: 'How Do You Style a Coffee Table?' These Are Their Top Tips for an Elegant and Characterful Display
Coffee tables are often the anchor of a living room, so it's important to get the styling right; to help you do just that, this is how to style a coffee table the way an interior designer would
Styling a coffee table is not as simple as it may sound — there are many considerations to take into account, from the size, shape, and material of the table, to the overall look and feel of your space. Plus, there is a fine line to tread between curated and chaotic.
As the focal point of most living rooms, how you style your coffee table says as much about your personal style as your sofa. It's not all about the latest coffee table trends, either; the decorative elements that you choose should not only be visually appealing but also be part of the storytelling of your space.
To help you get this right, I asked some of my favorite interior designers to share their best advice — these are their top tips to style a coffee table the way a designer would.
1. Don't Over-Style It
Eris Koutsoudakis, co-founder of Meraki Design, approaches styling a coffee table by first establishing how the table will be used. "It should feel relaxed and intentional, never overly styled," she says. It should look effortless, rather than staged.
"We like a balance of form and function; pieces that feel curated but still leave space to live. Negative space is just as important as what’s on the table," Eris explains.
I asked Eris if she mixes up her coffee table styling, either seasonally or generally, but she explained that rather than restyling it, she evolves it. "A small shift like changing a book, adding a seasonal branch, or swapping an object is usually enough to refresh the table without it feeling contrived," she explains.
Top Styling Tip?
"Edit ruthlessly," Eris says. "Fewer, well-chosen pieces will always look better than trying to fill the surface. If in doubt, take one thing away."
Is There One Piece of Decor You Always Use?
"Not a specific item, but there’s almost always something tactile and handmade," Eris explains. "A ceramic vessel, a stone bowl, or an object with an imperfect quality. These pieces add warmth without feeling decorative for the sake of it."
2. Mix Materials
Interior designer and founder of Studio Calvagno, Filippo Calvagno, doesn't overthink styling a coffee table. "I tend to follow my instinct, using objects that are already in the house or are often used," he explains.
I love the sustainable home approach to coffee table styling and Filippo's careful consideration of color within his arrangements. "I like to create a mix of materials and vary the heights to make the composition more interesting," he says.
Filippo doesn't often restyle his own coffee table, either. "I tend to get quite set on what’s on there, and it usually stays the same for a long time. I may switch items out occasionally, but they often become part of the overall setup," he explains.
Top Styling Tip?
"Focus on using objects with different shapes, heights, and materials to keep it visually interesting," says Filippo. "Place a favorite coffee table book on it — one you don’t mind getting a few marks on. It should feel like a collection of your favorite items.
"I’d also suggest not adding too much, so it doesn’t feel cluttered, and each piece has space to shine."
Is There One Piece of Decor You Always Use?
"I love using a good candlestick on a coffee table, as it adds height and creates a nice focal point," says Filippo.
3. Add Something Sculptural
"Coffee tables themselves are an excellent opportunity to add something sculptural into your living room," says interior designer Alana Marie, founder of Alana Marie Interiors.
"If the coffee table is a statement, then the styling should be pared back, e.g., an interesting vase with some beautiful flowers. If the coffee table is quieter, then I like to layer it with books, trays, and florals," she says.
It always comes back to the table itself — how you style it will vary, depending on the coffee table size, style, and shape (more on that to come).
Top Styling Tip?
Simply put: "Less is more," she advises.
Is There One Piece of Decor You Always Use?
"Flowers! They always bring a coffee table to life!" Alana says; and I couldn't agree more. I love fresh flowers and foliage the most, but you can get some pretty wonderful artificial options these days, too.
4. Group in 3s or 5s
For Gemma Lutejin, interior designer at Project London, considering the room's surroundings and furnishings is of the utmost importance when establishing how to style a coffee table.
"Do you have brass accents, where a metal tray is appropriate? Or is the vibe more rustic, where a rattan tray will add depth and texture?" she asks. Each style of table will require a different style of decoration.
She also suggests looking to the wider color scheme of the space for those pops of color that contrast the base palette and to play with scale. "‘Tier’ your books from largest to smallest, and top with a decorative element, e.g., a ceramic or candle," she suggests.
What she advises against is aiming for symmetry in design and attempting to fill the whole surface: "Less is more. Be selective and style with purpose," she explains. "Asymmetry can be equally visually pleasing, highlighting varied heights and surfaces. Depending on the size/shape of your surface, smaller groupings might be more appropriate."
Top Styling Tip?
Gemma suggests grouping in a rule of three or five – "Selective groupings are better in 3s or 5s to avoid looking too contrived," she explains. She also suggests including greenery: "Botanical elements add natural color and are an easy, interchangeable ‘accessory’ to any coffee table/ ottoman throughout the seasons."
What you shouldn't do, Gemma says, is buy for the sake of it. "Accessory collections are far more successful when they have a personal link," she says. "Think books that align with your interests, artisanal ceramics from your holiday, and candles with scents that have meaning. Coffee tables/ottomans can become key talking points in a conversational seating layout."
Is There One Piece of Decor You Always Use?
Books. "A great way to literally elevate your accessories," Gemma says. Though she goes on to explain that just books are not enough. "Layer materials, glassware, ceramics, and metals to curate an interesting composition."
5. Have a Layered Approach
"I like to approach coffee table styling by layering books and accessories, thinking carefully about different heights to create balance and visual interest," says Lara Clarke, founder of Lara Clarke Interiors.
"Books are always a great starting point, with decorative objects added on top to give the table a curated but relaxed feel," she says.
It comes down to creating a solid foundation upon which to build your decorative pieces that best suit the style of your coffee table and the overall aesthetic of your space.
Lara keeps the base styling of her coffee table consistent, simply using flowers to change the focal point from season to season — decorating with flowers or foliage is a great, not to mention easy, way to refresh your coffee table without having to restyle the whole setup.
Top Styling Tip?
"Invest in some good coffee table books to stack," advises Lara. "They form the main foundation of the styling and make it much easier to build a polished look around them."
Is There One Piece of Decor You Always Use?
"Good coffee table books are always my starting point," says Lara. "I also like to include something that can hold flowers, then layer in smaller objects for texture and interest, and always finish with a candle to add warmth."
6. Focus on Balance
Katerina Tchevytchalova, director at K’Arte Design, approaches styling a coffee table by considering balance in design: "Mixing height, texture, and negative space, so the table feels considered but not over-styled," she says.
"Function is key too — it has to work for everyday life, not just look good in photos. For example, if there are small children in the home, I wouldn’t use anything fragile that could easily be knocked over," she explains.
Instead of spreading items evenly across the surface of the coffee table, she prefers to work in small groupings instead. She also likes to switch up her styling — "it's one of the easiest areas to refresh without changing the whole room. I’ll often swap out objects seasonally, bringing in lighter textures and tones in summer and richer, deeper finishes in winter," she says.
Top Styling Tip?
"Less is more, so don’t be afraid to edit," says Katerina. "Fewer, well-chosen pieces will always look better than clutter."
Is There One Piece of Decor You Always Use?
"Books are always my go-to, as they instantly add height, personality and a sense of layering," Katerina explains. "I almost always include something organic, such as a small plant or a sculptural natural object.
"Scented candles are also an easy way to update the look and atmosphere of the room, especially when they’re in an interesting vessel," she says.
7. Choose Objects With Meaning
"Across our projects, we keep coffee table styling quite restrained," says Manuela Hamilford, founder and creative director of London-based studio Hamilford Design. "We favor sculptural ceramics, organic forms, and natural materials, often using just a few pieces so the table feels integrated into the room rather than a standalone feature.
"The focus is always on letting the objects feel like they belong and add something to the space, rather than being simply decorative," she explains.
I asked Manuela if she liked to mix up her coffee table styling quite frequently, too, which she does: "In my own home, I do refresh fairly often. It might be a seasonal swap, like greenery or florals in summer, and then maybe a lavender or moss bowl in autumn," she says.
"I use more candles in the winter months to create a cozy mood and give a soft glow. I regularly change up my coffee table books, too, depending on my mood or what I’m interested in."
Incorporating the best candles into your coffee table styling will not only enhance its look and feel but also bring a glorious scent to match.
Top Styling Tip?
"Vary the heights and shapes," Manuela suggests. "A mix of low, mid and taller sculptural pieces makes a coffee table feel more interesting."
Is There One Piece of Decor You Always Use?
"Books are our go-to. They feel like they should be there, so don’t appear forced or over-styled," says Manuela.
8. Mix Sculptural With Practical
Balance is key for how H&M Home's head of design and creative, Evelina Kravaev-Söderberg, styles a coffee table, while also "mixing something sculptural with something practical, so it feels styled but still lived-in," she says.
The essence of coffee table styling comes down to visual harmony — creating interest without throwing anything off kilter.
Evelina likes to re-style her coffee table with the seasons, too, "switching up colors and textures while keeping a few staple pieces," she says. A style switch could be as simple as incorporating seasonal foliage and/or swapping your candle scents for something more in-keeping with the time of year.
Top Styling Tip?
"I would recommend pairing it back with a few well-chosen pieces," advises Evelina. "It always feels more elevated than overcrowding."
Is There One Piece of Decor You Always Use?
"I almost always use a vase," says Evelina. "It adds height, anchors the styling and works whether it’s filled or left empty."
9. Aim for Authentic, Rather Than Staged
"Being a designer (and a Virgo), I’m all about form and function," says Melbourne-based stylist, Loui Burke, who has a background in creative direction and design education.
"Having each piece look good and be useful never makes your coffee table feel fake or overly styled. The aim is authentic, chic, and lived-in rather than a staged show home, store-bought trinket surface, or Pinterest replica," Loui says.
Loui likes to seasonally refresh his coffee table styling as well. "I keep a core piece like my portable lamp that works with the stone, then change the candle scent and flowers to reflect what is happening outside," he says. "I love to add a magazine that suits the month and what’s happening in the world around me, to feel like I’m living in the moment more.
"I also dabble with having lots on the table vs stripping things back and having a couple of pieces. It depends on the size of your home and how many surfaces you have to style. A house with lots of rooms has you needing to spread all your decor out, vs an apartment, where you can layer it up on the coffee table."
Top Styling Tip?
"Every piece should look good and serve a purpose," says Loui. "Portable lamps, trays, candles, coasters, an aesthetic board game, a vase with flowers, even a beautiful lighter or matches in a box, all elevate a space while still being practical."
Is There One Piece of Decor You Always Use?
"I’m loving a portable lamp at the moment (Blossholm and Addison Ross have great options); some nice coasters and a candle are another must-have. And usually some kind of vessel or vase to hold some seasonal flowers," says Loui.
"A lot of people run to a stack of books or a tray. But the books are hardly read, and a tray could lead to lots of trinkets to refine your selection."
10. Make It Interesting
For interior designer Raili Clasen, founder of interior design studio RailiCA Design, the key to styling a coffee table is adding a few special and interesting items that guests will actually use — a touch of the 'one amazing thing' theory.
"I really don't like to over-style coffee tables with random accessories, because usually these tables are being used, feet up, reading a book, and drinking a glass of wine," she says. And this is very true. So the idea is to have one or two standout pieces that spark conversation while also adding visual interest.
Raili keeps her coffee table styling the same year-round, too, since she likes to pare it down to just a few things.
Top Styling Tip?
"Alter heights, and always add a fun vase with fresh flowers," says Raili. "Branches add height when you need it to go with lower pieces, such as books, board games, and ashtrays."
Is There One Piece of Decor You Always Use?
"If there is room, games!" she says.
11. Think In Triangles
Whenever I’m styling a coffee table or ottoman, I think in triangles," says Alicia Meireles, creative director at OWN LONDON. "I’ll choose a tall piece (a vase or sculptural lamp), a medium-height item (a candle or small plant), and a low accent (a decorative bowl or art object).
"This creates a natural visual balance as your eye climbs, peaks, and then relaxes. It’s the simplest way to make a surface look intentional without feeling over-styled."
When styling an ottoman or coffee table, she likes to divide it into three visual zones: "One comprising the styled tray, another might be a stack of books with a small ornament on top, and the third a floral arrangement or plant. It’s just enough structure to keep things orderly, but still allows for personality in each grouping," she explains.
Decorating with plants is a wonderful way to add color and texture to your coffee table, while bringing a touch of nature indoors, too.
Top Styling Tip?
"Because ottomans often have a generous surface area, start by placing a well-scaled tray to create a defined zone," Alicia says. "Choose a tray that contrasts in texture or tone with the upholstery to add visual interest — a mix of materials will help to bring the surface to life."
FAQs
How Do You Style a Round Coffee Table vs a Square, Rectangular, or Irregularly-Shaped Coffee Table?
When it comes to styling a coffee table, the size and shape of the table will make a difference.
"Sculptural or irregular tables already have a strong presence, so they need very little styling," Eris says. "With those, we tend to place a single object and let the form speak. More regular shapes can take slightly more layering, but it’s always about keeping the composition calm and considered."
Round tables generally suit a softer, more central arrangement, whereas square or rectangular tables suit a more structured and balanced approach.
"Rectangular or square-shaped coffee tables inherently require more structure," says Alana. "The sharp angles of the table lend themselves nicely to books and rectangular trays. With round coffee tables, I work from the center out, typically opting for just a single vase with a beautiful floral. For unusually shaped coffee tables, you need to be more fluid; keep it simple and let the table do the talking."
Filippo also tries not to repeat the same shapes, and would avoid a round tray on a round coffee table, for example.
Do Different Coffee Table Materials Require Different Styling?
It's not just the size and shape of the coffee table that dictate how it should be styled, either; the material can also have a significant impact.
"A stone or heavily textured table calls for a lighter hand," advises Eris. "You don’t want to clutter something that already has depth and character. We often contrast heavier materials with something softer or more delicate to keep the overall feel balanced."
Loui agrees, adding that "Glass needs grounding pieces with weight and purpose, while timber works best with warmth and texture."
Filippo would also avoid using decor of the same material as the table itself. "It’s nice to introduce contrast — for example, pairing a wooden coffee table with marble or brass decorative items," he says. Raili does the same and loves to include a "dash of vintage."
With an upholstered coffee table, it is often helpful to introduce a tray as a base for smaller decorative objects: "This gives structure and keeps items practical and easy to move," says Lara.
What Is the 2/3 Rule for Coffee Tables?
Just like the 2/3 living room rule, which determines the sofa-to-rug ratio in your space, the same rule applies to your sofa-to-coffee table ratio.
"Generally, your coffee table should be between 1/2 to 2/3 of the length of your sofa for the most aesthetically pleasing look," says Anne Haimes, design director and founder of Anne Haimes Interiors.
"The height of a coffee table and its decor plays an important role in both appearance and practicality — too high will end up blocking your view once you begin to style it, and too low will look and feel uncomfortable when sitting. Aim for the coffee table to be in line with the height of the seat cushions, give or take a few inches."
Ultimately, how you style your coffee table will depend on the table itself and your personal style, but as long as you create a display that makes you happy, then your mission is accomplished.
Now that you know how to style a coffee table the way an interior designer would, perhaps you'd be interested to learn how to hang art like an interior designer, too.
