3 Tips to Style Any Coffee Table

3 Tips to Style Any Coffee Table

The living room is the heart and soul of any home, where friends, family, and loved ones come together for connection. Centering that space is the coffee table, which often serves as both the visual and social anchor that ties it all together. And while there are endless possibilities when it comes to styling a coffee table, these three simple tips provide easy guidelines that make the process easy while showcasing the personality of your space.

Tip #1 - Rule of 3


When deciding what should be displayed on the coffee table, it's helpful to keep the rule of thirds in mind. 


A good rule of thumb is to start with 3 different types of decor categories to add variety without overwhelming the space. And 3 isn't just an arbitrary number either - studies show that our brains are psychologically attuned to prefer things in groups of 3 as they create a satisfying rhythm and pattern for our eyes. 


Whether you use books, plants, candles, or other decor items, sticking to clusters of 3 will help visually ground the eye.

A live edge coffee table with 3 kinds of items displayed.

Tip #2 - Use varying heights






Play with different heights when styling your coffee table to add visual interest.


A dramatic floral or greenery arrangement is a quick way to add height to your tablescape and transform it to a statement in the space.  Another simple and low-effort way to play with height is by stacking items, such as books or magazines.


Alternating between tall and short items gives the eye different places to land, which keeps things feeling varied and interesting.

A large greenery arrangement on a coffee table

Tip #3 - Mix it up




Using too many decor items of the same material on the same surface can feel sterile or like a store display. Utilize a mix of textures and materials when styling a coffee table to create a lived-in look that conveys unique personality effortlessly.


Mixing materials that feel opposite of each other can add an interesting visual tension that brings some edge to the space. Try pairing natural woods with polished brass, or sleek iron with rough stones. 

These simple tips are helpful as guidelines to start curating a coffee table that looks as beautiful as it is functional, but the most important thing to keep in mind is using pieces that feel meaningful and true to you. Choosing items that you love is what imbues spaces with unique personality, elevating a room from just a beautiful place into one that truly feels like home.

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The Solana table lamp sits on a wooden sideboard.

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