How to Style a Coffee Table Like an Interior Designer

A well-styled coffee table plays an important role in a room’s aesthetic and functionality. Beyond holding drinks or snacks, it can also serve as a visual anchor, tying together the room’s design.

To achieve this, homeowners can focus on five key principles for decorating a coffee table. The result? A stylish, functional centerpiece that elevates your living room with ease.

5 Tips on Styling a Coffee Table

1. Start with the Shape and Proportions

Before styling even begins, the foundation needs to be right. This means selecting a coffee table with the right shape, size, and material that suits the room’s layout and flow.

Just as important as form is function. Consider how it fits within the room’s traffic patterns, how it complements nearby furniture, and whether its materials and finishes echo or balance the rest of the palette.

We took this intentional approach in the Cleveland Residence in Los Angeles, CA, where a round mixed-wood coffee table was selected to soften a compact, moody living space.

The curved coffee table in the Cleveland Residence also improved circulation and connected the white linen sectional with the sculptural pink chairs.

2. Work in Groupings of Three

Once the base is in place, styling begins with one guiding principle: group key elements (like books, objects, and greenery) in threes. This simple rule creates balance, adds height variation, and keeps the table looking stylish.

This approach works just as well in lighter, more minimal spaces. For example, in the Redondo Residence—a texture-rich home designed for a couple and their two dogs—we used two simple stacks to add depth to a rectangular table: one with a white book and white spheres, and the other with a black book and two columnar vessels.

This mix of glossy black, matte white, and textured stone kept the styling clean yet layered in the Redondo Residence project.

3. Use a Mix of Books, Greenery, and Sculptural Forms

A well-styled coffee table is more than pretty objects—it’s a curated mix of form and function. Designers often rely on three key elements to keep things grounded yet interesting:

• Books – Opt for large-format pieces with beautiful spines and covers that complement the room’s color palette.

• Greenery – A tall vase with organic, non-floral stems adds movement and softens the scene.

• Sculptural objects – Finishing touches, such as candles, vessels, spheres, or small bowls filled with textural curiosities, give the table personality.

In Redondo, this mix-and-match approach suited the taupe, beige, and warm white palette, which added texture and contrast while keeping the overall look cohesive.

4. Let the Table Support the Room, Not Compete with It

A common mistake homeowners make is treating the coffee table as the main focal point. But in most cases, the table should support the room’s overall story—not compete with it. A few simple strategies can help strike the right balance:

• Balance bold elements: If the room has strong colors or patterns, keep the coffee table styling neutral.

• Leave space: Open areas help objects stand out and keep the table functional.

• Contain clutter: Use trays or boxes to organize remotes, coasters, and small items.

• Add contrast: In light, minimal rooms, use a darker or textured object to ground the arrangement.

5. Make It Personal (But Not Random)

The best coffee tables reflect the people who live with them. Incorporating bespoke items, like a favorite book, an heirloom bowl, or a travel souvenir, can truly elevate the space in a way that purely decorative items cannot.

We took this approach in the Cleveland Residence, helping the client curate and refine their personal accessories to suit the room’s sculptural tone and warm, modern palette. The result felt genuine, with styling that told a story reflective of the space.

We helped the client curate and refine their personal accessories for their coffee tables to suit the living room’s tone.

The Impact of Thoughtful Coffee Table Styling

A well-styled coffee table is more than a finishing touch; it’s a visual and functional anchor that brings purpose to the heart of your living space. When approached with intention, it becomes a design opportunity—one that helps both designers and clients create living rooms that feel complete and uniquely their own.