As I told you in my New Year Reset, I am working on the finishing touches on a few rooms.  Coffee table styling is first on my agenda.  I am also planning on adding a bit of color to my family room.  More on that in another post.

Some people use their coffee table as a catch-all for their pretties with no thought to style.  Too much can be too much – sorry, Tony!  I like to follow a few simple guidelines.

Styling Tips:

• A tray to corral your accents and necessities

• Splash of color – in your accessories or flowers

• Make it personal – Add a piece that represents an interest or a piece that has special meaning to you

• Encourage activity – Beautiful books beg to be perused and a fun game begs to be played

• Something living: Beautiful flowers or an interesting plant

• Vary heights – Books and plants or flowers achieve this

In here have a large, dark table.  I love how it grounds all of the light colors.  The dark also hides scratches and wear and tear because we really use this table for family games and entertaining.

The items you use can check off two of my elements above.  For instance, the tray on this table serves two purposes: to corral items I wanted to use to bring color and dimension and it’s sentimental.  My mom gave me this tray (similar here) for my birthday one year.  I just love it!  It is filled with a few my latest, favorite books on entertaining, travel or design because in quite minutes (yes, minutes – no longer quiet moments around here these days) I do really look at them.  A quick escape!

It also serves as the home for agate coasters (no water rings!), and a candle.  An orchid placed on the books adds height to the grouping.  I know it may be trite, but I always have a great candle.  My favorites are Niven Morgan Gold for Fall and Winter and Niven Morgan Blue for Spring and Summer.  I can’t wait to try the new Lavender Mint!

The beautiful lucite and color infused Tic-Tac-Toe set serves as both my splash of color and encourages activity.  It was designed by dear friends of Sawyer Collection.  I guess it could be a bit sentimental as well.

I found links to many similar items on Chairish.  Don’t know Chairish?  Well, you should!  It is a website filled with beautiful home interior items, curated sellers from across the country.  Listing your item is free and their commission is very reasonable at 20%.   I have a few things I’ll be listing soon!

I’d love to know your thoughts on a well-designed yet functional coffee table in the comments below.

xo

Alicia

SHOP THE POST: