Thank you for reading my last personal post about anti-racism and taking the time to comment. I know this is a place to escape but the state of affairs is too important not to mention.
Five Minute Coffee Table Styling
You probably have some of these elements on hand:
- trays
- books
- fresh element: branches from garden, plant or flowers
- candle for ambiance at nighttime
- interesting object
First, Remove Everything From The Table
And clean your table. I use Old English Dark Wood for scratches (its’ also available for light wood) and Pledge to clean.
When my husband came in and saw everything off the coffee table he said “Are you writing a post about moving sh-t around again?” Why yes, Howard, for a new no/low-cost look in five minutes! I am always saving us money like that.
For rectangular tables, display items more or less in a rectangle and for round tables, usually three items that are in a circle.
1. Use A Tray
Trays make it really simple to look organized. I almost always use one. That’s one of the main things I look for at HomeGoods. This one is from West Elm.
2. Add Some Books
Collect books that interest you from your travels, art, design, etc. Sometimes I will buy the “gently used” ones on Amazon…since they get gently used sort of quickly anyway.
3. Something Fresh
Rotate a plant or fresh flowers or branches from your garden. This will make you happy…works for me.
4. A Candle
A simple scented or unscented candle alone or in a hurricane feels so cozy at night, even during the summer.
5. Something Interesting
Here I just added a silver-dipped shell for summer, but you can use beads, something vintage like antique binoculars, cool coasters, a box for remotes, small basket, etc.
Just to recap Five Minute Coffee Table Styling:
Have on hand and layer in this order…
1. A Tray
2. Some Books
3. Something Fresh…flowers, branches, fruit
4. A Candle
5. Something Interesting
And voila! You have a fresh, new look on your coffee table. Let me know if you have any questions!
I am new to your blog and love your article in how to style a coffee table however I still need help. I have a 56” rectangular modern table and have several items I want to display. I am a big fan of candles so there are several candle styles I want to be able to use. How can I submit couple of pictures for your input? your suggestions are very much appreciate it.
hi Marie, you might be trying to use too many things…but if you are on my email list, respond to my next email with a photo and I will take a look!
I love your newest incarnation! It might be your prettiest yet, but you are the queen of coffee table styling! I bet everyone loved this post! So many great ideas!!
Ha! Cindy, I love coffee table styling.
Great ideas. Where is your couch from? Is it linen? Thanks.
It’s custom made in a linen-cotton. Serena and Lily has a similar one.
Thank you for this. Very helpful!!!!
Thanks, Beth!
As always, love your posts! I have a thin antique bench as a coffee table in one area and a Chinese trunk as a coffee table in another, very little space to change the styling…And no space to store alternative items! But I love to look and consider my options.
Oh, and Rollie would echo Howard!
HAHA! Men.
Thanks, Gayle!
Cute ideas here. Howard sounds like Max, he hates change. I am so happy to change things up! I love all the props you used here, especially the baskets and the beads. I need those cocktail napkins too. Hope you are enjoying the weekend. I agree with Dot, I have gotten some cool California books from our local library sale. xo
I’m a new reader to your blog and I like it very much. A very nice article, but I think I love Howard! My kind of guy.
He is a good cook too 🙂
I am a first time reader and really enjoyed your styling tips for a coffee table. I would like to suggest that you can also buy ‘gently used’ books from your local library system. Most libraries raise much needed funds from selling books that have been donated to the system. These books normally sell between $1.00 – $2.00.
Great idea!!
Mary Ann,
I often think my husband thinks I’m a bit crazy when he sees me clear a space for the room for new ideas using my own accessories, books, and trays. Maybe men don’t always get the necessity for change in the creative person. Haha.
I always enjoy seeing your ideas which inspires me.
I hope you have a good weekend.
Karen
Great suggestions as always Mary Ann but every time I style my coffee table It doesn’t last 24 hours. I come back to find my lovely things moved and replaced with TV remotes, gaming console controllers, assorted newspapers, plates etc. Husband and son have no idea of aesthetics. Hmmm, men!
Same problem here!!! I just straightened up before going to bed!
Your coffee table suggestions are excellent and I will definitely be trying some of them out. However, I must say that my favorite part of your post was Howard’s comment! Thanks for giving me (and my husband) a big and much-needed laugh!
I just read YOUR comment to Howard and he laughed. (he hadn’t read my post yet–so I read him that part too).
I came here because Bloglovin’ highlighted your post about a five minute coffee table styling, and I needed it. Our coffee tables are always a hot mess of activity, so a quick refresh on what to do when company’s coming is so great, thank you!
I’m staying because of your We Must Do Better post. New reader and so happy to have found you.
That’s great, Dawn! Hope you will follow me on Instagram too…there’s a video on the styling!
Your post came on the very day I needed it! I’m in the midst of repainting almost all of the interior of our house and restyling as I put rooms back in order. Actually I’m trying to stage as I go, since we plan to put the house on the market, and instead of just putting everything back as it was, I’m trying to look through new eyes. Today I was planning to finish up in the living room, and the coffee table is exactly where I needed fresh ideas! I have so many accessories that I’ve been packing some away for now, so “shopping in my home” is easy. Thank you for some inspiration!
Yes… and you will see that it’s easy. Good luck with the sale!!!
THESE HUSBANDS!!!!!!!!
I AM SO HAPPY TO HEAR YOU ARE BUSY ON THE PHONE IPAD……….during these TIMES!THAT IS WONDERFUL!
TODAY I CLEAN MY COFFEE TABLE THAT IS IN THE KITCHEN!!!BANKSY, the pig likes to use it as a scratching POST!THis week he finally broke a glass!MY pile of unread books is getting BIGGER SO I need to find a new home for them!Then OUT INTO THE GARDEN I GO!
PLEASE WALK TODAY FOR ME!!I AM SO BAD AT THAT!
XX
Hi Contessa, I do get out every day to walk Chief and the sights of SF are nice. It’s quiet. No cable cars. No cars! I miss it now though. Enjoy your garden.
I love, love, love the coffee table suggestions! Thanks for the Saturday inspiration. And thank you for the chuckle you shared about your husband. Good one! My coffee table will definitely get a makeover.
Yay, Linda! I’m so glad. Send me a photo!
I like Howard’s sense of humour. As I was reading your post, my husband came into the room, looked over my shoulder and asked, “who is Mary Ann?” I said, “she’s a blogger from San Francisco. I live vicariously through her. Have a look at her view of the SF Bay. Isn’t it something??” (we had honeymooned 21 years ago in SF and it is one of our favourite cities). His response, “Oh, I really don’t have time to look out the window”. (Insert my eyeroll here!). He sounds a bit like Howard.
HAHAHA! Your husband and mine would probably get along. Although it seems Howard has more time on his hands with the lack of sports on tv!
I love seeing the romantic couples walking hand in hand around here (and thinking “honeymooners”)…but this place is pretty empty now. I won’t take having tourists for granted ever again!