Coffee table styling ideas: The art of adding books, trays and personal touches

Learn how to turn your coffee table into a work of art with our contemporary coffee table styling ideas.

There's nothing quite like a beautifully styled coffee table to elevate your living room. But styling a coffee table in the right way is quite an art form. Add too much clutter and your space looks messy. Not enough, and it looks incomplete.

That’s where we can help. In this expert styling guide, we’ll share our top tips for curating a coffee table like a professional, covering everything from choosing the right coffee table books to using trays and clever layering to add height and dimension.

How to choose the right coffee table for your space

First things first, you need to find the perfect coffee table for your living room. Consider the layout and available space in your lounge to help inform the size and shape of your coffee table. Then, and this is just as important, think about your existing style. Do you want something super contemporary to match your sofa? Or, perhaps you like the mid-century modern aesthetic and need something a little more retro. All of these factors will help you pinpoint your dream coffee table.

Our favourite coffee table

When shopping for a statement coffee table, look out for unique features that make it stand out from the crowd. Here are a few of our favourites…

Marble tops: There’s something truly decadent about a coffee table with a marble top finish. Take our Brera Marble Coffee Table, for instance. This gorgeous piece has a unique latte-toned marble top, giving you the perfect backdrop for styling.

Retro details: For a vintage look in your living room, choose a coffee table with retro-inspired details. Our Flute Marble Coffee Table in Vintage is a great example, with its dark-stained fluted wood and antique brass accents.

Unique shapes: Rather than a classic rectangle or round table, look for coffee tables with interesting shapes. Our Hyde Coffee Table makes for the ideal centrepiece, thanks to its distinctive hexagonal shape.

From luxury marble tops to fluted wooden detailing, we have a range of stunning designs in our contemporary coffee table collection.

Coffee table styling ideas

Now, the fun part. Styling your coffee table! These are our favourite tried-and-tested techniques to design a chic coffee table look that balances function with form…

The art of stacking coffee table books

Stacking coffee table books has long been a popular way of styling coffee tables - and for good reason. These books are designed to look beautiful and are a great way to show off your personality and hobbies, too. Whether you’re a big foodie or a fashion guru, a hiker or a fishing fanatic, there’s a coffee table book out there for you. Lean into your passions and choose some books that speak to you and your space.

Once you’ve selected your books, it’s time to display them - because presentation is everything. One way to do this is to stack a small pile (we’d recommend two or three) and place it in the centre or to one side of your table. Add a couple of extra accessories, like we’ve done here with our stunning Deco Marble Coffee Table, but keep the books as the focal point. Alternatively, we’re seeing a rising trend for laying out coffee table books side-by-side, for a cleaner, more intentional look. You could even experiment with opening a book to a particular page you love for guests to peruse when they come to visit. The options are endless!

Using trays to keep accessories together

Coffee table trays are becoming increasingly popular, ideal for tidy and organised homes. Start by choosing a tray that’s the same shape as your table; opt for round if your table is round, rectangular for rectangular tables, and so on. This gives you a super symmetrical foundation to work with.

Next, select some smaller pieces that fit inside your tray. This could be anything from candles and coasters to practical items like a tissue box and the TV remotes. The tray acts as an anchor, keeping everything tidy and in place.

Evoke the senses with candles and incense

Scented candles, diffusers, and incense sticks all make for excellent coffee table accessories. Not only do they look beautiful, but having nice scents in your living room is a great mood-booster, bringing a calming ambience to your space. We love serene scents like lavender and eucalyptus. Or, for something a little muskier, opt for cedarwood or santal. Just divine!

Bring the outside in with fresh flowers

There’s no easier way to brighten up a room than with some freshly cut flowers. Choose an elegant vase, whether that’s a clear glass one to show off the stems or a ceramic piece with a little pizazz, add your favourite flowers, and your work is done. Simple, effective, and easy to switch up from season to season.

3 top tips for coffee table arrangements

1. Experiment with different heights

To keep things from looking 2D, we’d highly recommend experimenting with different heights in your coffee table arrangement. Play around with taller accessories, such as long candlesticks, a vase of flowers, or simply a sculptural ornament. Contrast these taller items with shorter pieces, such as a trinket dish or a chic matchstick box. The varied heights on your table will immediately bring depth, dimension, and added visual interest to your coffee table.

2. Choose one statement piece

Like simplicity? You don’t need to overcomplicate things to achieve a luxury look. Instead of overcrowding your coffee table surface, choose one statement piece to decorate it. This could be a sculptural fruit bowl, a wireless lamp, or a simple vase. Minimalism at its finest.

Top tip: To ensure your accessory doesn’t look lost on the surface, go oversized. In this case, bigger is better. An oversized ornament looks far more confident and intentional than anything too small.

3. The rule of three

If you want to display a few pieces on your coffee table but you’re struggling with the composition, try the rule of three. This simple technique, essentially meaning to group items together in threes, is something that many interior designers use. Don’t ask us why, but threes just work. Give it a go and see how your table styling comes to life.

Who knew coffee table styling was so easy! With these expert tips, you have endless arrangements and design techniques to experiment with and achieve a luxury look on your coffee table.

Feeling inspired? Shop Atkin and Thyme’s full collection of contemporary coffee tables

Now your coffee table is looking beautiful; what about the rest of your living room furniture? Check out our expert advice on finding the perfect statement armchair for your space. Armchair materials guide.