Our living room is my favourite spot in our home – it has come a long way over the past year and I feel like it’s now such a reflection of us. It was a slow progression, swapping one piece out at a time for something we loved and now it’s the comfiest/coziest space. It’s where we sit and sip coffee on weekday mornings, where we take after work naps, where we have cribbage and wine nights, and where we host guests.
For the longest time, our coffee table was a bit of a catch-all. It either looked cluttered and unorganized or empty and uninspired – finding that middle ground was definitely a process. Our house is TINY and the coffee table is the central focal point of the living room so giving it a little TLC was important.
We have a simple white top, oak base table from Structube. It’s no longer in stock but I will link some similar (and not-so-similar but beautiful) pieces in case you’re on the hunt for a coffee table right now.
I wanted to share a few tips for styling your own table so keep reading if you’re looking for some inspiration.
Keep It Tidy
There’s a fine line between having too much stuff and having not enough. The easiest way to keep things looking put together is to add in some type of tray, bowl or trinket box. I love keeping the pretty pieces we have on display but having a spot that holds them together keeps the clutter looking cute. You can group candles, matches, remotes, and other little trinkets together that way.
Think Practically
Think about how you use the space your coffee table lives. For us, we rarely eat meals in our main floor living room – we usually eat at the kitchen island or head down to the basement (affectionately titled “the nest”). However, if your coffee table is going to be used for tv dinners, having it packed full of goodies may not be overly functional. Same goes for if you have kiddos who will be grabbing at items – a more minimal setup may be a better fit.
Play with Textures and Accents
This is my favourite part. Feel free to experiment with colours, textures, shapes and sizes. I love mixing textures and shapes – I’m alllllways drawn to marble accents, pretty glassware, and candles with great branding. A wood or copper tray with marble accents is probably my favourite combo right now. This is also a great spot to display any little trinkets that hold value for you – those pretty coasters that were gifted by a friend, a little bowl you picked up on a vacation, a matchbox with a beautiful print (this is on my ‘to find’ list right now). The options are endless for this part. I try to limit myself to having 2-3 little accents on a stack of books or a tray.
Add Interest
One of my favourite ways to add interest is by placing a couple stacks of coffee table books on the table – I like to stack them 2-3 high (see the collection here). If I have fresh, in-season blooms, I always love to add that into the middle of the table as well. If I don’t have flowers to work with, I’ll put a small plant in the center of the table. I think greenery is the easiest way to breathe life into a room.
Happy styling! Xx
