Thank you to One King’s Lane for sponsoring today’s post!
I love, love, love puttering around the house.
Styling with small accessories is one of my favorite simple pleasures. Mixing different objects and textures is therapeutic — and refreshingly low-stakes. Nothing is permanent, so if something doesn’t feel right you can move it until it does.
This week I was inspired to restyle my coffee table after watching a short styling video by designer Emily Henderson. It motivated me to experiment with shapes, heights, and textures to create fresh groupings on the table. Playing with varying materials and forms helped me discover combinations that felt balanced and personal.
Emily shares practical tips in the video on using layers, contrast, and repetition to pull a vignette together. Her suggestions are concise and approachable, making it easy to try the ideas yourself. The focus is on simple edits: clear the clutter, choose a focal object, add complementary accents, and vary the scale. Small changes—like swapping a pile of magazines for a tray or introducing a sculptural object—can make a big visual difference.
If your table usually holds toys, remotes, or piles of paper, try something different: pick up one or two new pieces and experiment with arranging them.
Online shopping has made it much easier for me to find interesting accessories that aren’t available locally. A quick search can turn up unique trays, vases, and decorative objects you wouldn’t otherwise discover. I enjoy browsing sales to spot items that add character to a room without breaking the bank.
Below is a collage of items I found and liked while sourcing pieces for my coffee table. These are examples of the kinds of objects that work well together: a mix of natural textures, reflective surfaces, and varied heights to keep the arrangement dynamic.
This collage illustrates several accessory types that lend themselves to layered styling: lanterns, bottles, sculptural pots, trays, and glassware. Combining these elements thoughtfully creates a cohesive, curated look.
Accessory ideas to consider when styling your coffee table:
- Choose a focal piece: a tray, bowl, or large book anchors the arrangement.
- Layer objects: place smaller items on the tray or stacked books to create height variation.
- Mix materials: glass, metal, ceramics, and natural fibers add tactile contrast.
- Vary scale: combine a tall object with low, wide pieces for visual balance.
- Add something living: a small plant or simple floral stem brings freshness and color.
- Limit clutter: fewer, well-chosen items read as intentional and sophisticated.
Examples of pieces that work well together include lanterns and glass bottles for translucence and color, patterned pots for texture, a distressed tray to unify the group, and a sculptural table or small furniture piece as the foundation.
When I style a coffee table I start with the tray or base object, then add the largest accent, followed by medium and small accessories. I finish with a living touch—greenery or a single floral stem—to bring it all to life. Keep moving pieces around until the balance feels right; often the final look emerges from small adjustments.
Have fun styling your coffee table!