Coffee Table Styling
This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure PolicyAs I mentioned on Monday, I got a new coffee table for my living room. This makes me happy on so many levels: I wasn’t loving the coffee table I had, I needed something bigger, and I wanted something I could style. So today I thought I’d show you my coffee table close up and share a few tips for styling any coffee table.
Before you begin to style, you’ll need a few decorating accessories. My latest favorite place to shop is Hunters Alley. (You remember my bowl and brass pineapple bookends, right?) It’s a fab online marketplace where you can find amazing one-of-a-kind vintage, preowned, handcrafted, and artisanal items for your home. While both individuals and professional vendors can sell on Hunters Alley, listings are edited so the merchandise is only the best of the best. You can “like” products, comment on listings, see what other people are buying, and follow sellers who inspire you! Pretty awesome, right?
At the risk of becoming a hoarder, it’s always nice to have pieces on hand in different shapes, sizes, and textures that are special and meaningful to you. It makes the styling process so much easier and a lot more fun. I actually just got this plate from Hunters Alley to hold remotes on the coffee table. It could double as a really cool serving tray. I’m also obsessed with the color.
With that said, on to the styling! I’m a huge fan of Justina Blakeney and her blog. Her basic principles for styling a space (bookcase, side table, coffee table, etc.) have become my no-fail guide for styling basically anything. So I’m going to use her principles (which I’ve adapted slightly) to take you through my coffee table styling.
Function – what you need this space to do.
Color – stick within your color palette.
Shapes – use a variety of shapes to create balance and add diversity.
Texture / Pattern – use different ones to create visual interest.
Spacing – the different between collected and cluttered, leave some empty space.
Foliage – flowers and plants complete a space.
Sparkle – add something that sparkles – glass, metallic, mirrors, crystals, etc.
Okay, let me show you how this system works. First, I need this table to function as a spot to rest my feet, place a drink, and add a little style. Although there are a lot of things on my coffee table, there is still room to perform all of these functions, plus the books and tray can be stacked to create even more usable space. In terms of color, I worked with the colors in the space, but not all of them. I limited this arrangement to include green, brass and teal. I mostly stayed within those three colors, but did add in something outside of that pallet with my coasters.
Since the coffee table is rectangular I wanted to incorporate a few contrasting shapes. I added in a large round platter and a faceted terrarium. The shapes of the books and magazines mimic the coffee table. I wanted the pattern and texture of the coffee table itself to be the star of the show so I stuck with mostly solid accessories. However, the coasters and magazine covers do add texture and pattern.
I also paid attention to the spacing of items. I kept the right-hand side of the table a bit more dense and left-hand side a little more open. In terms of verticals, the tulips, which double as my foliage, add height to my table. The plants in my terrarium are another botanical element. And last but not least, sparkle. Again my terrarium and brass elements bring a bit of bling to my table.
And that’s it!
As you may have guessed, these basic principles of styling can be applied to projects of all sizes, from something as big as room to something as small as a bedside table.
I hope you enjoyed these tips and are liking my new coffee table as much as I am.
For more information on Hunters Alley check out their website or follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram.
This post was created as part of my collaboration with Hunters Alley. As always, the thoughts and ideas are my own.
Where did you find your wonderful rug?
I love everything in this room! Where did you get the gold glass side table?
In love with that terrarium! Where is it from?
Loves love! Well done Sir!
Such beautiful fun style. I love te pillows. Where can we find them ?
Thanks
The Hello pillow is from Land of Nod, the arrow and yellow striped pillows are from Target, the multicolored pillow is from Crate and Barrel and the rest are from HomeGoods.
Hope that helps!
xo Michael
Your table looks great…but those pillows! I love them!! The colors are so fun. I especially love the adorable “hello” pillow and the arrow pillow. Where did you get them?
Thank you Aurora! The Hello pillow is form The Land of Nod and the arrow pillow was from Target.
xo Michael
Love it! A place for everything, and everything in place. Thanks for the great tips, too.
Love the little platter for the remote, and that terrarium? Oh, I want it.
Haha! Thanks Tara!
xo Michael
I love this post. Now if only i didn’t have little hands that wold destroy everything on it 🙂 beautiful photos too! http://www.handmadeintheheartland.com
Such a happy and inviting living room! I love how thoughtfully everything was chosen and arranged. My husband and I would love to know where your rug is from. It’s actually the first one we have mutually admired in our marriage! Haha!
Haha! Thank you so much Ashely. It’s from CB2.com.
xo Michael
I adore your table and the vignette you have created!
You are reaching new highs Michael!!
Such a doll you are~
Your friend : ) Cynthia
You’re too sweet Cynthia. Thanks!
xo Michael
Blogging = excuse for hoarding, therefore it’s not hoarding.
problem solved.
Amen!
xo Michael
The elephant is adorable! Where is he from? Can’t wait to make those coasters for my new space too 🙂
The elephant was from Target when they first launched their Threshold collection last year. I don’t think they still sell them. 🙁
xo Michael
So glad you enjoyed (and got something) from the course! If you ever want to offer your readers a discount on the class let me know 🙂 Your coffee table looks amazing and I LOVE that l’il Elephant! Heading over to Hunter’s Alley now!
Justina! Thank you so much for stopping by! You’re tips are priceless.
Thanks so much!! And you’ll LOVE Hunter’s Alley. 🙂
xo Michael
Love the table! I also like putting the remote controls in a platter. Can you tell me where you got that cute elephant? So darn cute!
That little shiny elephant is everything!
Love the table, but can we talk about those pillows? Every time I see them they make me smile. I love the blues, yellows and grays along with the different patterns. Not to mention that adorable “hello” pillow. Whenever I see it, I say Hello, Michael! Where did you get that pillow? Hopefully not HomeGoods because my close by one just closed – boo, hoo. Now I have to drive at least an hour to one, sigh.
Nope, you’re in luck Karin, the Hello pillow is from The Land of Nod.
xo Michael
Thanks for the inspiration! I always feel like coffee tables and mantels are my downfall. They really do take layering. Thanks for the beautiful visuals to kick me back in gear!
I love it! You are so good! I have a beautiful coffee table that I truly love, but it is usually empty or overrun by my sons’ school books…with having two boys I’ve never bothered to actually style it. You have inspired me though…thanks for the tips! I need to get to work on taking back my coffee table!
Your table looks great. Thank you for the tips. They really are helpful. I am in the process of setting up a drink station in my kitchen and was feeling lost as how to decorate it and keep it functional. The only thing I am certain of this far is that I will be making those coasters for my station 🙂
You’re so welcome! I’m glad the tips were helpful.
xo Michael