The biggest mistake I see people make when styling a coffee table is choosing accessories that are simply too small.
When every piece is petite, it can feel as though the accessories are floating on the surface rather than forming one beautifully considered display. The secret is to create a strong foundation, introduce different heights and leave enough breathing space for each piece to be appreciated.
As the founder of The Suffolk Nest, I have styled planty of different coffee tables for our photography, videos and my own home. These are the simple principles I return to every time.
1. Begin with a generously sized tray
A decorative tray is the foundation of a styled coffee table. It gives your arrangement a defined base and ties separate pieces together, so they feel like a collection rather than clutter. Choose a tray that’s generous in size, in proportion to your table, while still leaving some of the tabletop visible around it. Our woven banana bark Alderton Tray adds warm, natural texture and comes in two sizes to suit your table. Explore all our styling trays.
I nearly always begin with a decorative tray. It gives the entire arrangement a defined foundation and brings separate objects together so they feel like one intentional display.
2. Add coffee table books for height
One or two books instantly create different levels. Stack them, then place a small object on top, so smaller pieces don’t get lost. Our Kenton Silver Tray is perfect here, sitting neatly on top of a stack of books to hold a candle or a few treasured pieces. Choose books you genuinely love, whether interiors, gardens, travel or fashion, so your table feels personal rather than staged.
3. Introduce something organic
Greenery softens all the hard surfaces and brings a room to life. A small pot of faux foliage, such as our Bentley Pot filled with our Faux Green Eucalyptus Bush, looks beautiful all year round and needs no care. Or bring in the season with one of our small faux flower arrangements. Keep it low and compact, so it doesn’t block sightlines or conversation across the room.
4. Vary the height of your accessories
Mix tall, medium and low pieces to create depth and interest. Slim candlesticks, such as our Henley Antique Brass Candlesticks, add height, a pot of foliage sits in the middle, and a low bowl like our Ruffled Edge Footed Bowl grounds the arrangement. Pairing slim shapes with wider ones adds depth.
5. Combine beautiful objects with practical pieces
The best coffee tables are both beautiful and useful. A lidded box, like our Hengrave Antique Brass Box, is perfect for hiding remotes, while a bowl can hold coasters, and the tray itself makes clearing the table easy. Then add a few personal or collected pieces, such as a small antique brass bell, for character.
6. Leave room for it to breathe
Resist the urge to fill every gap. Step back and look at your table from different angles, checking the scale and balance. If it feels busy, take one piece away. Often, less really is more.
The finishing touch
Start with a generous tray, add height with books, bring in something organic, mix practical pieces with personal ones, and leave space. Above all, choose pieces you love, and your coffee table will always feel like home. Shop our home decor collection to find your favourites.
