How to Style My Coffee Table

Styling a coffee table isn’t just about adding pretty bits and bobs – it’s about creating a curated, welcoming space that reflects your personality and complements your home. Whether you’ve got a sleek glass table, a rustic wooden one or something in between, there are simple tricks and stylish accessories that can transform your table from plain to polished.

Let’s walk through all the ways you can create a beautiful coffee table set-up using accessories from our collection, with a big focus on trays, faux flowers, vases, candles, diffusers and those must-have coffee table books.

Ideas for Styling a Coffee Table

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to coffee table styling – but there are a few key principles that help. Here’s what to keep in mind:

1. Start with a base – use a tray A tray is the perfect starting point. It gives structure to your styling and brings items together so they look intentional, not cluttered. Trays also make it easy to move everything when you need to clear the table.

At Ivy Grey Interiors, we love using a neutral-toned tray or one with a soft wood finish – something like our Grey Washed Rattan Tray or Wooden Tray with Handles for added texture.

2. Play with different heights Mix tall and short pieces to keep the eye moving. A tall vase with faux stems, a stack of books, and a low candle creates lovely contrast. Using objects of varying heights gives the whole set-up more visual interest.

3. Think in sections Split your coffee table into visual thirds or quarters. Each section can have its own moment – a tray here, a candle grouping there, and a floral moment in the final section.

4. Mix materials and textures Use a combination of glass, wood, ceramics, and textiles to keep things interesting. For example, a linen-bound coffee table book, next to a ribbed glass diffuser, paired with a matte ceramic vase – it's about balance.

How to Style a Coffee Table Tray

Using a tray makes it easy to style your coffee table and instantly adds a polished look. Here's a simple formula to try:

• Tray (your base) – Choose one that works with your room’s palette and the shape of your table.

• Vase + Faux Flowers – Something like the Faux Peony & Silver Dollar Eucalyptus Arrangement adds soft colour and greenery.

• Candle or Diffuser – Our Extra Large Onyx Sences Diffuser really create a statement in elegant glass bottle.

• Decorative Item or Coasters – Add personality with coasters, a sculptural object or a small bowl.

Finish with a few scattered matches or a small stack of mini books for that lived-in, thought-through feel.

Round Coffee Table Styling

Round tables can be tricky, but the rule of thirds works beautifully here. Imagine your table as a pie chart and create three mini zones. Each zone gets a feature item – like:

• A vase with faux white spring florals

• A cluster of candles on a marble base

• A stack of books topped with a decorative object

Round trays also work really well here – they mirror the table shape and help pull the look together.

Using Coffee Table Books for Styling

Books are the heart of a stylish coffee table. Choose hardbacks with beautiful covers that reflect your interests – interiors, fashion, art or even travel.

Stack two or three in varying sizes. Top them with a small ornament, a candle, or even a diffuser to add a finishing touch. Some titles we have used previously are Live Beautiful and Still: The Slow Home that are perfect for this kind of layering.

Glass Coffee Table Styling Ideas

If your table is glass, you’ll want to keep it light and elegant. Glass shows everything, so less is more. Opt for:

• A sleek ceramic or glass vase (white or clear works beautifully)

• A single stack of books with a candle on top

• One sculptural item with an interesting texture or shape

Avoid overloading the space – and remember that whatever is under the table is also visible. Keep the area beneath clear or intentionally styled.

How to Style Flowers on a Coffee Table

Flowers – real or faux – are a staple for coffee table styling. For fuss-free beauty that lasts, go faux. Ivy Grey Interiors has a gorgeous selection like:

• Faux Soft Pink Delicate Rose Spray for soft, early summer charm

• Faux White Willow Spray for height and texture

• Luxury Faux Foliage Arrangement for a lush green base

Pick a vase that complements your table. A low bowl-style vase is great for round tables, while tall narrow vases work better on rectangular tables. For added depth, mix a few stems of varying lengths and textures.

Final Tips for Coffee Table Styling

• Keep it practical – Leave space for your coffee cups or TV remote!

• Layer scents – Candles and diffusers add atmosphere. Try layering scents by using both in complementary fragrances.

• Change it with the seasons – Swap flowers, colours, and accessories as the months go by.

• Add something personal – A photo frame, a tiny travel souvenir, or a handmade ceramic piece adds warmth.

A well-styled coffee table can totally change the feel of your living space. With a few simple touches – a tray, some lovely books, candles, faux flowers and your own style – you can make your table the centre of attention (in a good way!).

Whether you’re styling for guests or just for yourself, it’s all about creating a look that feels put-together and personal. Browse our collection for more ideas to find those finishing touches that bring your space to life.