We have only recently gotten a coffee table. Our living room at the old house was too small for one, but in the four-and-a-half years we’ve lived here, we’ve never bought one. My first impulse was to buy one that matched our console table and end tables, but then I decided to buy one that coordinated with them instead. I wanted something a little on the cheap side, too, since the kids are still small.
I finally decided on an industrial farmhouse style coffee table with a second shelf for storing baskets.
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Except now, what’s a girl to do with the top of the coffee table?
1. Anchor your collected items with a tray or shallow basket.
I used this cute tray I bought in the Target Dollar Spot last summer. It is small, so it works perfectly for our small coffee table. I added some burlap-covered books for texture, a faux boxwood plant for greenery and height, and a candlestick for height, which brings me to my next tip.
2. Include natural elements for interest
I love the outdoors, and I love bringing a little nature into our home. What I also love is decorating with some sort of natural element, be it pinecones, florals, or greenery. The boxwood adds color and a little life to the table.
3. Height keeps the eye moving
Displaying your decor at different heights makes each item stand out, but it also keeps things interesting, since it draws the eyes to continue moving. Use a stack of books or a small stand to add height to a smaller object, or use pedastal dishes, candlesticks, or flower pots with a base.
4. Add a stack of books or magazines on the opposite side of the table to balance out the tray.
I chose to use two books, a recipe book about Sunday dinners, and a book about Labrador retrievers. I am a believer in decorating with things that make you happy. Sunday dinners evoke happy memories for me, and the Lab book is a nod to our “fur son,” a 12-year-old Yellow Lab named Bear.
The bottom shelf houses a large basket for hiding unsightly but necessary things, like coasters and a spare blanket. The side opposite the basket holds a stack of magazines.
I hope you’ve enjoyed these tips for decorating your coffee table. How is your coffee table decorated? Comment below with a picture- I’d love to see your coffee table!
Have a wonderful day.