Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Coffee Table Styling

Today I'd like to talk about my favorite part of a living room:  the coffee table!  If you are anything like me, than your coffee table gets put to good use.  In fact, you might use it as a dinner table, foot rest, desk, buffet table at parties, and library for your favorite coffee table books.  Or is that just me? Whether your coffee table is used with frequency or nearly  neglected, it's important to style it well.


First, we must consider function.  Do you often utilize your coffee table as a dinner table?  Then space must be left for eating.  Do you have 10 different remotes for your high-tech TV sound system?  Then they will need a place on the table.  Is your coffee table more of a decor element only? Then gracing your table with books, candlesticks, or fresh flowers will add an extra touch of pretty.


What if you want your coffee table to be both functional and stylish?  You might notice they never photograph remotes lying on a coffee table in interior design magazines.  I suggest finding a beautiful box to hide your remotes inside.  I hide ours in a mercury glass container I found in the bed and bath section of Anthro. What do you think?


Megan, from Honey We're Home, displays her remotes in a chic lucite tray.  This is another great option to fuse functionality with decoration.


Afraid your coffee table will appear cluttered after you gather your favorite books and magazines, and also make room for coasters, remotes, and other necessities?  Stack items neatly in trays to create a more organized space.


Because I collect coffee table books, I like to display a few that might entertain guests.   I love it when I go over to someone's house and can get an idea of who they are and what they love.  Showing an array of books, framed photos, or other trinkets help tell your story in a subtle way.




1/2/3/4/5/6/7


What's sitting on your coffee table?  Do you have a favorite tip for styling it well? I'd love to hear it!  Today I am guest posting over at The Urban Slant about King Louis chairs.  Be sure and go check it out!

39 comments:

  1. I like to keep my coffee table free of items, but we always have a side table next to the couch for my coffee table books.

    Love all of these inspiring images!

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  2. Love this post! Especially the first image
    xx

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  3. I have so many coffee table books and have yet to utilize them in a chic manner! Thank you for the inspiration xo

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  4. I love seeing other coffee tables and how they are styled...mine is in constant transition, I rotate out magazines, trays and books! I love your mercury glass to hide the remote! xo

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  5. great images! once my move is done, i will definitely be styling my coffee table.

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  6. Love that mercury box you found!! Right now I just gather up my remotes (3!!) on a tray but I think the box is a grand idea!! I am def. going to have to get one! Thanks for the idea :)

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  7. That first image with the lucite coffee table is perfectly styled and SO CHIC.
    Tiffany
    thedesignerlifestyle.blogspot.com

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  8. These are some gorgeous coffee tables! I have a large tray from west elm, some mercury glass votives, a few books, agate coasters, and a stack of new magazines.

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  9. Love it!!! I love stacking books on my coffee table!

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  10. I want a coffee table sooo bad! But we're waiting until we buy a home to get one. We don't want to ruin it moving in and out of places... plus my husband doesn't want to have to lug it around each time we move, haha!

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  11. I'm constantly reshuffling mine. Love you mercury glass box for remotes. And that lucite and brass coffee table is stunning!

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  12. That first coffee table is awesome! It's great because you can display things on top to show off... but also what you put underneath can be seen from above too! It's a win-win!

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  13. Cute! I need to decorate my house better.

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  14. I love decorating coffee tables with trays, books, flowers, and a candle always looks nice ;)

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  15. I change mine out a lot, but generally its some books, a favorite trinket and some candles. Sadly I eat at my coffee table too often. Hate that!

    These are all great inspiration. I think I need to get my client a big lucite tray. (We made them an ottoman with a gorgeous fabric- why cover it all up?)

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  16. The first coffee table is so gorgeous.

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  17. Love the inspiration. I'm in the hunt for a coffee table now and just fell in love with the acrylic and gold one in the first picture. Great round-up Sam!

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  18. on my coffee tables i have my favorite books... love them!

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  19. that second photo is really my idea of perfect!

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  20. Oh yes, I totally agree with you!!! Coffee table styling is key! I am currently in search of a larger coffee table and these images are all inspiring on how to style :) XO brynn

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  21. Lovely! And I think a major key is some cool coffee table books!

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  22. Gorgeous coffee table stylings! I want that box from Anthro!!

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  23. I'm with you, I love it when you are able to get a feel for who that person is by the things they have displayed in their house...I seriously am missing out on an opportunity as we don't even *have* a coffee table! (c:

    P.S.-Thanks for your super sweet comment on my guest post over at B&B today, that really means a lot to me!

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  24. I use a big tray on the my table to hold my magazines and remotes. I am always wanting to switch things up, these are some great inspiration pics!

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  25. Just don't be like me and leave a dish full of Hershey kisses on the coffee table or you might come home to a Chihuahua who has crawled his way onto the coffee table and eaten all of them!!!!!

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  26. That first coffee table is out of control!! ANd I love the lucite tray! I try to keep my table pretty tidy looking so I am a fan of stacking books. Of course, pretty flowers will spruce up any tablescape!! xoxo

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  27. Love this! My coffee table is one of my favorite design elements of a room and these pictures are fantastic!

    xo
    Eliza

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  28. Gorgeous inspiration -- can't wait to have a tiny bit bigger place so I can pick out and style the perfect coffee table!

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  29. These are all beautiful! I love decorating our coffee table as well - loved the first two photos especially. Have a great day!

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  30. I just love that first picture, and your TV remote box is beautiful!

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  31. I don't have a coffee table in my place, but after seeing these pictures I am really wanting one! xo

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  32. Gorgeous collection of images, Sam. I love my coffee tables; I have an affliction toward them - they're the most versatile, beautiful pieces of furniture. I'm a stack of books and vase on the coffee table type of person : )

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  33. uuh yes...my coffee table is in DIRE need of styling! I want to get some lucite trays...but it won't really go with the wood/wrought iron table...so maybe I can do that luggage stacking!

    <3Amanda
    feast.fashion.faves
    My Memories Suite Giveaway

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  34. I am working on adding more books to my coffee table collection and unique pieces that can start a conversation. Your mercury box is just perfect for the remotes-such a great idea!

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  35. i love coffe tables!!! ur choices are perfect!
    Roxi
    interiordesignforeveryone.blogspot.com

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  36. I adore lucite and have been coveting that coffee table for quite some time!! I am also slightly obsessed with design books and love them stacked anywhere and everywhere, but a coffee table with our books just wouldn't be right!

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  37. I love trays on coffee tables, especially lucite. Nice pics!

    I am loving your blog so much I am adding you to my blogroll. Have a great weekend.

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  38. So cute, I love the transparent coffee tables!

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What say you? I'm all ears.

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