How to style your coffee table

Not only do they anchor your living room, but coffee tables are also a practical addition, offering a place to put drinks and snacks when you’re relaxing or entertaining. Plus, many of our tables feature much-needed drawers to keep clutter tidy and hidden away, while still looking stylish.

While it is important to inject some of your home’s personality into your coffee table’s style, it is also important to consider how it will fit with the rest of your scheme.

Firstly, establish what your base elements are. Is your style rustic, modern, eclectic, or bold? Then build a look that enhances and complements this. That’s not to say you can’t get experimental with your look as mixing and matching can make a room look dynamic and interesting. Just make sure your scheme is one you are completely comfortable with.

Whether you like the idea of a traditional feel, something more contemporary, or a painted design, we’ve got a wide range of coffee table styles to choose from. If you need help with how to incorporate these pieces into your existing decor, read on to find inspiration.

Add a decorative tray

Parquet coffee table and dark blue velvet sofa in neutral living room scheme.

Parquet coffee table | @laura.elizabeth_

A colourful tray is a lovely way to anchor decorative accessories in one stylish spot. We love the scallop detail on this green tray that contrasts perfectly with the glazed oak warm finish of our Parquet coffee table.

In the round

Oak Furnitureland industrial-style Detroit glazed nest of coffee tables in a living room with an inky blue wall.

Detroit nest of tables | @clean_and_cosy_home

Practical and stylish, a nest of tables is a great choice if you want the option of additional furniture as and when you need it. The circular design of our Detroit nest of coffee tables is aesthetically pleasing and stacks neatly together if you want more floor space.

The perfect match

Living room with Boston oak and metal furniture, including coffee table, sideboard, and blanket box in a monochrome scheme.

Boston coffee table | Boston sideboard | Boston blanket box | @mrandmr_at_no.9

Create a coordinated living room scheme by choosing pieces from the same range. Our natural oak and metal Boston range combines warmth and industrial design features to create a contemporary yet homely space.

Accessorise in style

Oak Furnitureland Romsey natural oak coffee table in a living room with a grey sofa.

Romsey coffee table | Morgan sofa

Simple touches can easily elevate your coffee table to the next level when it comes to interior design. A ceramic bowl, a pretty bunch of blooms, and some books or magazines are easy and affordable ways to add interest to our natural oak Romsey coffee table.

Scandi saviour

Oak Furnitureland Aston range natural oak coffee table on a cream rug, paired with a cream sofa in a spacious room with lots of glass.

Aston coffee table | Hepburn sofa

Minimalist Scandinavian style is a popular design aesthetic that works in both contemporary and more traditional homes. When it comes to styling pieces, such as those in our modern Aston range, choose more architectural-style decorative accessories and a neutral colour palette to bring this look together.

Dual function furniture

Seaspray Brighton chaise sofa in a grey living room.

Brighton chaise sofa | Brighton footstool

If you don’t have space for a coffee table, a footstool offers a multipurpose solution that provides seating and can be used to hold drinks and snacks by simply adding a tray on top. Choose vibrant upholstery, such as the Brighton chaise in Seaspray fabric, for a cheerful living room scheme.

French chic

Oak Furnitureland Burleigh weathered oak coffee table, console table and dark green Bramble sofa in a light-filled living room.

Burleigh coffee table | Burleigh console table | Bramble sofa

Our chateau-inspired Burleigh range introduces instant French style to any space. Pair with neutral tones and rustic accessories to add to the farmhouse feel, while the warm weathered finish brings a pleasing homely touch.

Style tips

Oak Furnitureland dark grey painted Grove coffee table and small bookcase in bright living room with a yellow sofa.

Grove coffee table | Grove bookcase | Brighton sofa

Once you’ve decided on your chosen coffee table, these points will help you experiment with the use of space:

Follow the rule of three. Items arranged in odd numbers tend to be more visually appealing.
Try building different height levels by using plants, accessories and books in various sizes.
Stack magazines and coffee table books to create more space, and height if required.
Place small ornaments on top of the books, one or two will do.
Contrast colours. Choose accessories that provide contrast when placed on your coffee table.

Browse our complete collection of coffee tables to find the one that’s right for you. And, don’t miss our complete buyer’s guide to choosing the right size coffee table for your space.

Let us know how you get on with styling your coffee table by sharing your photos using #OakFurnitureland on Instagram.