The simplest way to style a coffee table is to pick 3 to 5 items in different heights, keep colours coordinated with your room, and leave space for cups and remotes. Start with a tray, add a plant or flowers, a stack of books, and one sculptural piece. Edit until it feels balanced.
Your coffee table is a daily surface, so keep it practical. Aim to leave about one third of the top clear. Use coasters, closed boxes for remotes, and finishes that suit how you live. The ideas below show you exactly what to put where, by coffee table shape and home style.
What you'll get:
What coffee table should you choose? Choose coffee table by colour matching Choose coffee table by colour matching Choose coffee table by your house decoration’s style Having your own, how to style a coffee table? Round coffee table, what should you place on it? Rectangle or square coffee table decoration’s style This is crucial: Coffee table styling with kids and pets Questions our customer also asked
What coffee table should you choose?
The right table is the one that fits your room, suits your sofa, and matches your style. Use these size and spacing rules, then refine by colour, shape, and décor.
Coffee table size and spacing guide:
Height |
Level with your sofa seat, give or take 2 cm, typically 38 to 46 cm |
Length |
About two thirds of your sofa width |
Side clearance |
40 to 50 cm walkway to sofas or chairs |
Distance to TV |
Leave clear sightlines. As a guide, 1.5 to 2.5 times the TV diagonal between sofa and screen |
Rug placement |
Centre the table on the rug, keep edges parallel to the sofa |
Use this as a starting point, adjust for your room and how you move through it.
Choose coffee table by colour matching
Pick one anchor colour from your sofa, rug, or media unit. Repeat it on the table with a tray, books, or a vase.
If your floors are dark, a lighter timber, stone, or glass table will lift the room. If your rug is pale, a mid-tone timber grounds the space.
Matching the table exactly to the floor can make it disappear. If you like contrast, go one or two shades lighter or darker.
Metals matter. Tie leg finishes to door hardware or lamps for a pulled-together look.
What to choose: If in doubt, keep the table neutral, then add colour with removable décor.
Choose coffee table by colour matching
Curves soften straight sofas and angular rooms. Round or pebble tables make small spaces flow.
Rectangular or oval tables suit long sofas and narrow rooms.
Nesting sets or two mismatched tables add layers and are easy to move when guests arrive.
If your rug has a busy pattern, simple shapes calm it. If your room is plain, a sculptural base adds interest.
What to choose: Echo your room’s dominant lines, then add one contrasting curve or angle for balance.
Choose coffee table by your house decoration’s style
Coastal or relaxed: light oak, rattan tray, linen coasters, sea grass basket.
Contemporary: marble or stone top, low-sheen timber, black accents, minimal styling.
Mid-century: walnut, tapered legs, art books, brass bowl.
Scandi: pale timber, ceramic vase, soft grey or sage palette.
Family-first: rounded corners, durable finishes, washable trays, lidded storage.
What to choose: Match materials to your existing pieces first, then layer texture so it does not feel flat.
Set up in layers. Start with a base, add height, then a hero object. Leave negative space so the surface still works day to day.
Having your own, how to style a coffee table?
Round coffee table, what should you place on it?
Use a round or square tray slightly off-centre.
Add a taller element such as a vase with greenery, 25 to 35 cm high.
Place a low stack of 2 to 3 books beside it.
Finish with a small bowl or candle.
Leave a clear arc for mugs and the TV remote.
Visual recipe: Tray + vase + books + small bowl. Keep pieces in a triangle to guide the eye.
Rectangle or square coffee table decoration’s style
Divide the surface into thirds. Style two zones, leave one zone clear.
Stack books in one zone. Add a sculptural object on top.
In the second zone, use a tray with a plant and candle.
For large squares, use a tray in the centre and mirror small groupings in two corners.
Mix heights, for example 12 cm book stack, 20 cm bowl, 28 cm vase.
This is crucial: Coffee table styling with kids and pets
Choose rounded corners and sturdy bases. Avoid tippy objects.
Swap glass for timber or stone with a durable finish.
Use soft décor. Fabric-covered boxes, woven trays, silicone coasters.
Keep breakables above toddler reach.
Secure table runners or skip them to avoid pulling hazards.
Store remotes in a lidded box. Pick wipe-clean materials.
Trendy coffee table in 2025
- Organic curves and pebble silhouettes suit relaxed Australian living rooms.
- Mixed materials are popular, for example timber with stone or metal.
- Low-sheen finishes and visible grain feel warm and easy to live with.
- Compact nests give flexibility in apartments and small homes.
- Sustainable picks, such as FSC timber and recycled glass pieces, are moving from niche to normal.
Questions our customer also asked
What are styling rules for different table shapes and room styles?
Keep proportion first, then layer décor. Round tables like triangular groupings. Rectangles suit the rule of thirds. Match materials to your room style, then add one contrasting texture for depth.
What is the difference between a coffee table and a centre table
Coffee tables sit in front of a sofa and are lower, usually 38 to 46 cm high. Centre tables can be larger and sit centrally in a room. In modern homes the terms often overlap, but coffee tables are designed for reach and daily use
Are coffee tables necessary?
You do not have to have one, but most living rooms benefit from a surface for drinks, remotes, and display. If space is tight, consider a nesting set, a slim bench, or two sturdy side tables pulled together.
What budget-friendly coffee table decor ideas elevate a living room?
Use what you have. Hardback books, a simple ceramic bowl, and a supermarket bunch of greenery look fresh. Add a tray to group items and protect the surface. Swap seasonally rather than buying new.
What is the difference between a coffee table and a centre table?
As above, a coffee table is a lower, sofa-facing piece for daily use. A centre table is a larger, often taller focal table. Most people use coffee table in Australia.
What to put on a coffee table?
Put a tray, a plant or flowers, 2 to 3 books, and one sculptural object. Keep items in varied heights and leave about one third of the surface clear.
Should the coffee table be taller or shorter than the couch?
Keep the top level with your sofa seat, give or take 2 cm. This is comfortable for reaching and looks tidy.
What type of coffee table makes the room bigger?
Round tables and light finishes make a room feel more open. Glass or slim-leg designs keep sightlines clear. In small rooms, nesting sets are flexible
Should the coffee table be the same colour as the floor?I
It does not have to match. A contrast of one or two shades helps the table stand out and stops the room looking flat.
Should the coffee table be the same colour as the TV?
Not required. Instead, echo your TV unit or media console colour in small décor pieces, such as a tray or book spine, to tie things together.
How far from the coffee table to the TV?
Focus on clear sightlines and comfortable reach from the sofa. As a general guide, keep 40 to 50 cm from sofa to table, and set the sofa to TV distance around 1.5 to 2.5 times your TV diagonal
