How to Style A Coffee Table

Spring is upon us which around here means we are inspired to do some freshening up around the house. Our clients and friends ask us all the time for simple advice on this topic. One way to give new life to your spaces is to rearrange your coffee table decor a bit. We have a few quick and easy tips to make your coffee table look like it’s just been designed by a professional. It all starts with the pieces to play with; let’s start with these four: the books, the vase with fresh greens, the large decorative item, and the tray.

#1: THE BOOKS

The easiest upgrade is to swap out your coffee table books for a fresh stack that match the feeling of the season. For example, for spring, we might pull decorating books or an artist monogram with blues, whites, and pastels on the cover. Or a book featuring fresh florals or a spring-like travel destination. In the summer we’ll opt for sunshine-y vibes. In the fall, we may go warmer. And in the winter, we might go for black/white or something with a little edge. Have fun with it!

#2: THE VASE WITH FRESH GREENS

The above logic could be used for the type of florals you add, depending on what you find from your local market or farmer’s market. Hydrangeas for spring-summer, dahlias and sunflowers for summer-fall, small blossom branches in the winter.

And it can be a double swap: have fun with the vase you select, too. It could be a go-to clear vessel, or a vintage ceramic pitcher to add some texture.

#3: THE LARGE DECORative ITEM

You’ll often see designers incorporate one unique, attention-grabbing piece. We like to pull items from our FR Collection shop like a vintage jug or a footed vase.

Incorporating a string of large beads is another way we add texture and form to a table composition.

#4: THE Tray

If you feel like your elements aren’t quite coming together and are looking a bit messy, pull them together onto a tray. It’s one of the easiest tricks we designers use, just about anywhere we can — kitchen countertops, bedroom nightstands, entryway console tables, you name it! With all of the size, shape, and material options out there, you can keep a few on hand and play with what works with your new setup. Or start with a decorative tray and let that be the eye-grabber.