How To Style a Coffee Table

The four quadrant method

The coffee table is a dynamic piece. Often demoted to a footrest or a place to set a bowl of popcorn, we often forget its potential to make our living room stylish.

Styling your coffee table is easy and a great Saturday morning project. In this edition of our newsletter, we are going to show you how to style your coffee table so that it is guest-ready at all times while still functioning as a place for “all the things.”

 

1. Start with a Clean Slate

Remove everything from your current coffee table and wipe down the surface and legs with a damp cloth. If your table is glass-topped, be sure to polish it accordingly.

 

2. Choose Your Aesthetic

Do you want to convey vintage warmth, modern vibes, or something else? Pick your aesthetic and stick to it. Don’t select any elements that stray from this.

 

3. Select Your Elements

The best stylized tables include a variety of colors, patterns, and textures, so be sure to choose at least one item for each of the following categories:
Books or magazines
Candles
Plants or flowers
Organizer tray
Metallic decor
Cup coasters

 

4. Organize & Style Your Table

Divide your table into three or four quadrants. In one, place the tray and fill it with metallic pieces, the TV remote, cordless phone charger, etc. This is an easy way for you to keep the necessities of life nearby and orderly.

In the second quadrant, place your books or magazines (not both) in a neat stack. In the third, place any floral bouquet or potted greenery that you have selected. In the fourth, if you have allotted that much space, make room for a coffee cup by adding decorative coasters in preparation.