Whether you’re looking for a place to rest your drinks while you chat or just want to give your lounge some extra storage, a coffee table is a multifunctional piece of furniture that’s crucial for styling a living room. We’ve decided to put a spotlight on the unsung hero of living room design by listing our top ideas for how to dress a coffee table.

Our guide to dressing a coffee table can help you clear off the magazines and remotes, and turn your table into a beautiful display. Here’s our coffee table styling guide to making the most of your décor:

Stick to a theme

It should be relatively obvious, but when redesigning the decorations for your coffee table, styling them to suit the theme of the rest of your room should be a priority. Think about all the elements of your living room’s design – colour palette, time period, atmosphere, etc. – and choose décor that will fit accordingly.

For example, if your living room has a traditional Victorian feel, ornate candle holders and metallic accents will make for great coffee table décor. Hand-carved bowls can look stylish in a shabby chic living room, while geometric designs are a perfect fit for a retro look. Experiment with your options, and try to get a feel for your room’s décor.

Group items together on a base

The best coffee table arrangements don’t just feature one centrepiece but bring together a range of decorative items. Try looking for decorations that match each other or combine nicely, then present them as a group using a tray or dish.

This will help your items feel more organised and carefully selected, rather than presenting them as a jumble of random pieces with no connection to one another.

Include some natural elements

Greenery brings a room to life and is a great fit for any coffee table. Whether it's a house plant, an artificial plant or a bouquet of dried flowers in a vase, make sure to add a hint of nature to your styling.

Fruit (whether real or fake) also works if you want to add an unusual nature-inspired element to your design.

Books & ornaments add interest

Books and magazines are perfect for the coffee table. Not only can you stack them up to create a base for other items, but they will also provide some interesting reading for guests.

You can also add some intrigue to your table with a few quirky trinkets and ornaments. Whether it's an antique find or an item you've picked up on your travels, these finishing touches will add character and create a talking point.

Go alternative with an ottoman

If a coffee table isn’t quite your style, there are always ways to vary your living room’s layout to stand out from the crowd. Using an ottoman as your seating area’s centrepiece in place of a coffee table is a great way to add some extra living room storage without leaving your space too bare.

Ottomans are available in both fabric and leather, meaning you can match your sofa’s material for a cohesive look. They’re easy to style, and their lifting lid makes them perfect for decluttering your space.

Remember to leave space for drinks

It’s possible to get so caught up in what to put on a coffee table as decoration that you forget what your table is for in the first place! It’s important to make sure your decorative centrepiece is central enough that you and your guests still have space for your drinks and any other items you may wish to rest on your table.

If you’re worried about space restrictions, try measuring inwards from the edges of your coffee table to see how much room you have for drinks around the outside of your décor.

We hope our coffee table inspiration guide has encouraged you to try mixing things up in your own living room. For more style guides, you can read our living room layout ideas to see how you can make the most of your space in a small lounge. We also offer a wide variety of guides on our blog, where you can see style tips and advice on everything interior design!