5 TIPS TO STYLE YOUR COFFEE TABLE

FEBRUARY 11, 2022

DISCOVER THE ART OF STYLING A COFFEE TABLE. FOLLOW OUR 5 TIPS AND TURN THIS FUNCTIONAL PIECE INTO A VISUAL FEAST.

SHOP DOVE COFFEE TABLE

Rediscover the appeal of your coffee table and unleash its stylistic potential. When it comes to displaying beautiful objects and expressing your creativity every surface counts. The perfect piece for unifying the functional and beautiful together, it’s time to take a fresh look at your occasional table‘s potential with our 5 inspiring tips.

Follow these interior ideas for showcasing the inspiration side of your coffee table.

1. WHY WE NEED A COFFEE TABLE IN YOUR LIVING ROOM

Whether you’re a devotee of minimalism or an eclectic maximalist, how your room pulls together comes down to a few key pieces.

“Coffee tables invariably make a strong statement,” advises revered India Mahdavi in her bestselling book Home Chic. “Never be afraid to choose striking shapes or colours or stylish designer pieces.”

Indeed, a coffee table provides a visual focus and makes a tangible impact on the flow of a space. Just as an interior’s character benefits from various seating, it also comes alive with a mix of tables.

Versatile side tables are easy to arrange around a room and sit perfectly alongside a love seat and footstool. They are as perfect for social occasions when you need more surfaces for drinks as they are for working from home.

When it comes to hosting, the living room has become the new social club and a long table the ideal spot to serve up hors d’oeuvres or a mezzo plate. In addition, an extended table provides a more generous surface for those who use their living room as a hub. From an impromptu dining spot to working from home, its length means you can accommodate more objects from technology to drinks.

2. HOW TO MAKE YOUR SMALL SPACE FEEL BIGGER WITH A TABLE

With less floor space to play with, every element you add in a small area must serve dual purposes.

“Thinking functionally removes the limitations that come with end-use, allowing for quirky placement and creativity,” shares Lou Sandor, Maker&Son’s Head of Product Development. Further, a low coffee table for a small living room creates an intimate space that feels cosy rather than cramped. Lou says this is achievable with “unique accessories that offer a sense of identity or interesting narrative.”

A table’s surface can be the focal point for beautiful home accessories or indoor plants. “Small rooms devoid of details feel lonely,” adds Lou. “Don’t be shy in layering a compact space with furnishings that give it scale. That includes an extra-large rug to create a seamless look.”

3. BEST COFFEE TABLE DIMENSIONS WHEN PAIRING WITH A SOFA

Interior designers recommend an occasional table should be no more than a few inches higher or lower than the sofa’s seat height for the best balance and functionality. Plus, your table should be no more than 2/3 of its length to achieve flow around a lounge.

When it comes to a U-shaped modular, add a rectangular tea table that runs 2/3’s of the way along its length. Modulars that follow a U shape need easy access for all the guests, so a coffee table can’t be too broad or obtrusive. Adding side tables to a U-shape modular is a smart alternative to a coffee table and ensures guests have a convenient surface to rest their beverages.

4. HOW TO STYLE A COFFEE TABLE

It’s time to reimagine them as a mini gallery where we may showcase beautiful things and other small items. Moving beyond the formula of simply styling it with books, Lou advises to “liven them both up with arrangements of small, attractive objects.”

Maximalism shouldn’t equate to instant clutter, but how do you not overwhelm a table’s surface?

“I am not a minimalist and believe treasured pieces should be celebrated,” Lou happily admits. “The backstory is often as wonderful as the aesthetic. Carefully curated decorative accessory pieces – balanced with nature – be it foliage, blooms, or fruit, will create balance and an interesting focus.”

5. CHOOSING THE RIGHT SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS FOR YOUR SPACE

In a resolutely contemporary space, the warmth of wood and textures enlivens a minimal scheme. In a beloved, rambling country house, the elegance of an oak or walnut wooden table anchors its unwieldiness. Lou says that no matter the home, natural materials with their gentle grain create a welcoming ambience.

“The space defines the pairing,” Lou shares. “I feel side tables are better in snugger spaces with love seats, armchairs or smaller sofas. On the other hand, to appreciate a longer plinth shape with a larger sofa or chaise centrally, you need to ensure the space can support this.”

“I love materials that reflect their natural state, be it carefully selected timber or interesting markings on a marble or stone tabletop. Over-processing to ‘create design’ can often remove the beauty that nature intends. Our DOVE coffee table and side tables showcase the beauty of the walnut or oak timber whilst offering a contemporary shape.”

By: Catherine Caines