Styling Coffee Tables: The Art of Layering

A beautifully styled table tells a quiet story of home, mood, and memory

Today we will look closely at one of the most charming yet overlooked areas in the home—the coffee table. More than a place for remote controls or teacups, it is an anchor of the living room, a stage for personal expression. With thoughtful layering, a coffee table becomes both beautiful and lived-in, refined and welcoming.

Let us explore how to style yours with ease, character, and elegance.

Why the Coffee Table Deserves Attention

Coffee tables are at the heart of where we live—where we sit with guests, sip tea at dusk, or set down our favorite book. When styled with care, they offer a glimpse into who we are without saying a word.

Like a curated vignette, the best coffee tables strike a balance between form and function. They hold what is useful, but always beautifully.

The Art of Layering: Mrs. Mayfair’s Method

Layering is what makes a coffee table feel finished, never cluttered. It invites the eye to move and the hand to linger.

Here is the layering approach I follow:

• The Anchor: Start with a tray. It defines space, brings order, and adds polish.

• The Stack: A small pile of beautiful books—design, travel, or favorite volumes that reflect your taste.

• The Lift: Add height with a small vase, a candle, or a decorative object. Varying levels make the table come alive.

• The Personal Touch: Something meaningful—a shell, framed photo, antique box. This tells your story.

• The Seasonal Accent: A branch, a flower, or even a bowl of fruit. Nature softens the tableau.

Keep it balanced: odd numbers, a mix of textures, and negative space to let everything breathe.

Favorite Items to Include

You don’t need a designer budget—just a discerning eye. Choose fewer things, but better ones.

Pieces I return to again and again:

• Linen-bound coffee table books (on interiors, gardens, or artists I admire)

• Decorative trays in rattan, marble, or lacquer

• Beeswax candles in low bowls or small hurricanes

• A petite vase with seasonal blooms or clipped greenery

• Sculptural objects like a brass knot or alabaster box

• A beautiful matchbox, left open like a signature

The key is for it to feel effortless and inviting, never staged.

Styling by Shape and Material

Every table is different. The shape and surface influence how you style it.

• Rectangular tables: Divide into thirds and style each zone thoughtfully

• Round tables: Use a central tray and allow soft movement around it

• Glass tops: Keep it minimal and curated—let light and shadow play

• Wood or stone: Bring in contrasting textures like linen, glass, or ceramics

Let the table reflect the room it lives in—layered but not crowded, elegant but personal.

Reminders

• Less is often more—edit seasonally to keep things fresh

• Choose pieces that reflect your life, not just trends

• Add softness with florals, depth with books, warmth with scent

• Leave space for living: a cup of tea, a child’s drawing, a moment of pause

• A well-styled table is not a display—it is an invitation

I am grateful for today

• A quiet moment spent rearranging a favorite corner

• The pleasure of a freshly lit candle and a good book

• The warmth of a home that tells its story in layers

From Our House to Yours,
Mrs. Mayfair