Coffee table styling follows a simple formula: tray or base layer + books (stacked) + object with height + something organic + personal touch. This creates visual interest through varying heights, textures, and purpose without looking cluttered.
The Coffee Table Styling Formula
The Foundation: Start with a Tray
Threshold Decorative Tray – Gold
A tray creates boundaries and prevents your coffee table from looking like random objects scattered across a surface. It defines the styling zone, corrals small items that would otherwise migrate, and adds a layer of intentionality. Choose a tray in metal (brass, gold, silver), wood, or lacquered finish depending on your style—the key is having defined edges that create visual organization.
Why it works: The tray signals “this is styled, not forgotten here.” Everything inside the tray reads as a curated collection rather than clutter. Plus, you can lift the entire tray when you need the full table surface for entertaining.
Size matters: For most coffee tables, a tray around 15-20 inches works well. Too small looks lost, too large overwhelms. You want about 1/3 to 1/2 of your table surface within the tray, leaving open space around it.
Layer 1: Stack Your Books
Assorted Coffee Table Books (Choose 2-3 books)
Coffee table books serve triple duty—they’re functional reading, they add height variation, and they inject personality through their subjects. Stack 2-3 books with the largest on bottom, creating a stable base for objects placed on top. Choose books that reflect your interests: travel, photography, fashion, architecture, art, cooking—whatever you actually care about.
Why coffee table books matter: They add substantial height (stack them), introduce color and texture through their covers, and provide flat surfaces for layering other objects. Plus, guests actually flip through coffee table books—they’re functional decor.
Pro tip: Don’t stress about buying expensive decorative books. Beautiful hardcovers from your own collection work perfectly—just choose ones with appealing spines and covers.
Beth’s Top Picks for Styling
Layer 2: Add Height with an Object
Decorative Object Options
Sculptural Vase
Small Ceramic Vase
A ceramic or glass vase (empty or with fresh/faux stems) adds vertical interest and organic shape. Choose something with texture—ribbed ceramic, colored glass, interesting glaze—that catches light and creates visual dimension.
Candle in Holder
Green Glass Ribbed Hurricane Candle Holder
A substantial candle in a beautiful holder serves both form and function. Opt for unscented or lightly scented if it’s near seating, and choose a color that complements your palette—cream, taupe, sage, or soft gray are universally flattering.
Small Sculpture or Object
Threshold Cast Metal Links
An abstract sculpture, decorative sphere, or interesting found object (geode, coral, architectural fragment) adds personality and creates conversation. This is where you inject “you” into the formula.
Why height matters: Flat surfaces are boring. Varying heights create visual interest and draw the eye around the arrangement. The height element should be your tallest piece—roughly 8-12 inches for most coffee tables.
Layer 3: Something Organic
Fresh or Faux Greenery Options
Small Potted Plant
ZZ Plant
A succulent, small fern, or pothos in a ceramic pot adds life and softness. Choose low-maintenance plants if you’re not a green thumb—snake plants, ZZ plants, and pothos tolerate neglect beautifully.
Fresh Flowers in Small Vase
Threshold Small Brass Vase
A small arrangement of seasonal flowers adds color and luxury. Even grocery store flowers look elevated in the right vessel. Change them weekly to keep the arrangement feeling fresh.
Faux Stems in Vase
Artificial Silk Green Olive Long Stem
High-quality faux eucalyptus, olive branches, or pampas grass provide the organic element without maintenance. Modern faux botanicals are incredibly realistic and last indefinitely.
Why organic elements work: They soften hard edges (books, trays, tables), add natural color and texture, and make styled spaces feel lived-in rather than museum-like. Even a single stem makes a difference.
Layer 4: The Personal Touch
Sentimental or Functional Small Objects
Decorative Bowl for Remotes
Travertine Bowl
A beautiful ceramic or wooden bowl corrals TV remotes, keeping them accessible but contained. Choose something attractive enough to be decor when empty.
Small Catchall Dish
Brass Cast Tray
A brass or ceramic dish for keys, lip balm, or small daily items adds function while looking intentional. This is especially useful if your coffee table is near your main seating area.
Personal Object with Meaning
Vintage-Inspired Picture Frame
A small framed photo, collected object from travel, vintage find, or inherited piece adds soul to the arrangement. This shouldn’t be random—it should mean something to you.
Why personal touches matter: They prevent your coffee table from looking like a catalog spread. The perfect coffee table styling feels curated but lived-in, like a real person arranged these objects because they love them.
The Complete Formula in Action
Example 1: Classic Elegant Gold rectangular tray + 3 fashion/photography books stacked + ivory pillar candle in brass holder + small white orchid in ceramic pot + brass catchall dish
Example 2: Modern Minimal Natural wood tray + 2 architecture books stacked + sculptural ceramic vase (empty) + single faux eucalyptus stem + small marble bowl
Example 3: Cozy Collected Rattan tray + 3 travel/cooking books stacked + scented candle in textured holder + small potted succulent + vintage brass object
The Pattern: Tray (defines space) + Books (height base) + Tall object (vertical interest) + Organic element (softness) + Personal/functional item (livability)
Coffee Table Styling Rules to Follow
Rule 1: Vary Heights
Everything shouldn’t be the same height. Books provide low-medium height, your tall object creates vertical interest, plants or objects add variation. The eye should move around the arrangement, not see everything at once.
Rule 2: Work in Odd Numbers
Three or five objects look more natural than two or four. Our brains find odd numbers visually pleasing and less formal. Inside your tray, aim for 3-5 total elements (stack of books counts as one).
Rule 3: Leave Breathing Room
Don’t fill every inch of your coffee table. The tray and its contents should occupy roughly 1/3 to 1/2 of the table surface. Empty space makes the styled area look intentional rather than cluttered.
Rule 4: Consider Sightlines
Nothing should block conversation across the table. Keep arrangements under 12 inches tall so people can see each other comfortably when seated. If your table is between facing sofas, keep it even lower.
Rule 5: Make It Functional
Your coffee table gets used—for drinks, snacks, laptops, feet. The tray should be easy to move aside when needed. Everything should be stable enough not to tip when the table gets bumped. Style shouldn’t eliminate function.
Mini Formula: The 5-Minute Coffee Table Style
Grab these five things:
- Any tray (decorative or repurposed)
- Two books from your shelf with nice covers
- One candle you already own
- One plant or vase with stems
- One small bowl or personal object
Arrange like this: Place tray on table → Stack books inside tray → Put candle on top of books → Position plant beside books (still in tray) → Add small bowl to corner of tray
Done: You just styled your coffee table using things you already own in under 5 minutes.
Mini FAQ
What if my coffee table is really small?
Scale down to essentials. Use a smaller tray (10-12 inches), one stack of books, and one other element (candle OR plant, not both). Small tables need breathing room even more than large ones—resist the urge to cram.
Can I skip the tray?
Yes, but it’s harder to make it look intentional. Without a tray, you need very careful placement and fewer objects. The tray creates automatic visual organization that takes the guesswork out of arrangement.
How often should I change my coffee table styling?
Change seasonally at minimum—swap books, change flowers, adjust colors. Or refresh whenever you’re bored with it. The formula stays the same; you’re just swapping specific objects. This prevents constant rearranging while keeping it fresh.
What if I have kids and my coffee table needs to be completely functional?
Use a divided tray (sectioned or multiple small trays) that creates zones—one section for remotes, one for your styled objects, one that stays clear for setting down drinks. Or style just one corner/end of the table and leave the center completely open.
My coffee table is glass—does the formula still work?
Yes, but you’ll see the underside of everything, so make sure your tray and objects look finished underneath. Glass tables benefit especially from the tray because it creates a visual anchor on an otherwise transparent surface.
✨ Beth’s Take: What Made Coffee Table Styling Finally Make Sense
I used to think coffee table styling was either “empty and boring” or “cluttered with random stuff.” My table would accumulate remotes, magazines, empty mugs—functional but not attractive. When I’d try to “style” it, I’d just move things around aimlessly until I gave up.
Then I learned the formula, and everything clicked. The tray creates boundaries so I’m not arranging the entire table surface—just one defined zone. The books provide a base for everything else. The height element (I use a chunky candle) adds visual interest. A small plant softens everything. And the bowl corrals remotes so they’re accessible but contained.
Now my coffee table looks styled but functions perfectly. I can move the tray aside when we need the full surface for game night or snacks. Guests comment on how put-together it looks, but the reality is I’m following a simple formula with objects I already owned. I swap the candle seasonally, change the plant occasionally, and rotate which books are stacked—but the formula stays the same.
The best part? The tray prevents that slow accumulation of random objects that used to happen. Things either belong in the styled arrangement (and get put in the tray) or they don’t belong on the coffee table at all. That mental clarity has kept my living room looking more pulled-together with zero extra effort.
Beyond the Coffee Table
If you’re tackling other areas of your home beyond the coffee table, check out Small Changes, Big Impact: 5 Easy Entryway Updates for the New Year and New Year’s Pantry Refresh: 7 Storage Solutions for an Organized Kitchen—the same principle of simple formulas applies to every space.
More Home Styling Inspiration
Ready for a broader home refresh? My post New Year, New Home: 7 Décor Upgrades Under $100 for a Fresh Start covers small changes throughout your home that create big visual impact without renovation or huge investment.
Closing Thoughts
Style Your Coffee Table Like a Pro
Coffee table styling doesn’t require designer objects or a degree in interior design—it requires a simple formula: tray + books + height + organic element + personal touch. Start with what you already own, adjust based on your style and space, and remember that the goal is “pulled-together but livable,” not “museum display.” Your coffee table should look good and work for your real life simultaneously.
LEAVE A COMMENT