The coffee table is the busiest surface in most living rooms. It needs to hold mugs, remotes and the odd book, and still look good. Wood helps: it adds warmth next to glass, stone or fabric, and it is practical enough for daily use.
Start with a base: a tray
A tray turns a scatter of small things into one tidy group. Put remotes, keys or a candle on it, and the table instantly looks more ordered. Our walnut-finish trinket trays come as a set of three, so you can use one on the coffee table and the others on a side table or dresser.
Keep coasters within reach
Coasters are the most useful thing on a coffee table, so leave them where people can see them. A neat stack of round mango wood coasters looks deliberate rather than cluttered, and protects the table from hot mugs and cold glasses.
Add light
A small group of tea lights makes the table feel warm in the evening. Try the blocky tea light holders in a row on a long table, or a pair of U-shaped holders on a round one. Keep candles away from books and fabric, and never leave them unattended.
Hide the everyday clutter
Tissue boxes are a coffee table essential that rarely look good. A wooden cover like our brass embossed tissue box turns it into a decorative piece.
Five simple rules
- Group in odd numbers. Three objects usually look more natural than two or four.
- Vary the height. Mix flat pieces, like a tray, with taller ones, like tea light holders or a small vase.
- Repeat a material. Two or three wooden pieces tie the table together; the same wood tone across them looks calm.
- Leave space. Keep at least a third of the surface clear for cups and books.
- Add something living. A small plant or a few dried stems softens all the hard surfaces.
Browse everything in our Wooden Home Essentials collection.