How to Style a Coffee Table ▬ ⑤ Easy Tips

I bought my coffee table from Craigslist and painted it, which you can read all about here.  Then it was time to style it!  I styled my coffee table based on my design instinct.  Then I started thinking about how to give my readers helpful tips - what elements make a well-styled coffee table?  I found this blog, the Everygirl, and I was so impressed - the author concisely lists the elements I chose for my coffee table and the advice I would give others.

Including these five items makes styling a coffee table an easy task:

1. Natural elements to add color and bring the outdoors in (especially you, city dwellers)
2. Candlelight to add ambiance and possibly fresh scent to the room
3. Books to entertain visitors
4. Decorative accents to spark conversation among guests and add interest
5. Tray to organize the previously stated items

I begin with the tray.  You might be thinking - why do I need a tray? 

It adds structure and texture.  It collects the smaller elements.

 

Trays from West Elm

 

Add books.  In addition to entertaining guests, I use books to add color, height and age to the room.  I went to this antique store and searched for books that, when the dust jacket was removed, would fit into my color palette.  The topics are extremely eclectic - and I love that!  And besides having a great old patina, these 4 books cost me $6.00!

 

 

Add a natural element.  Sometimes this takes trial and error.  My first thought for my coffee table was to use hydrangeas in a low bowl.  I didn't love it.  Then I wanted to use small purple-ish artichokes (which are on-trend and the right color) but as soon as I tried out this grass - I loved it and knew it was right for my space.  Flowers, branches, fruit, sea shells, pinecones - anything from nature!

Add candlelight.  This is an easy one.  This adds a glow to the room, ambience and can add your favorite scent to the room. 

 

Add decorative accents.  These are the pieces that allow you to showcase your personality.  These are pieces that serve no purpose other than to add visual interest. 

A great example of this is a small lion I have by my bedside table.  I (sometimes) have curly blond hair and when I was in highschool, I used to wake up with a big mane of curls around my head and my sisters called me a lion.  Then they changed it to Lyon (Lyndi+lion=Lyon) so it's always been a nickname.  Also, one of my favorite books is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis.  As you probably know, the story is an allegory and Aslan, the lion, is a representation of Jesus.  When I found the lion, it was a green, hard plastic, antique lion.  I spray-painted it glossy white and now it is a decorative accent - with so much meaning - it reminds me of myself, my childhood and my faith.

 

It can also be something totally random - my brother-in-law gave my sister Laura a decorative llama for Christmas (kind of as a joke) and we all loved it - it was soft and adorable.  We named it Harriet Vanger and it became one of her favorite decorative items.

 

A few examples:

 

 

 

 

 

As the Everygirl mentions, you can't rush this process.  I don't yet have a decorative accent piece, but I tried a few things around my house as examples.

 

One other tip the Everygirl blog didn't mention - add coasters - when styling, we don't want to forget to be practical - that is what a coffee table is used for!  I think these agate coasters from West Elm are gorgeous - practical and decorative.

 

 

 

Styled coffee table:

 

If you found any of these tips helpful, post pictures of your styled coffee table -

I would LOVE to see them!

 

Turning Inspiration Into Reality

This was my inspiration pic for my new living room.  I love EVERYTHING about it. 

 

 

 

When using an inspiration pic, I think the most important thing to remember is - your room is NOT going to look exactly the same.  My new living room does not have plank flooring, floor to ceiling windows, an ornate, textured, vaulted ceiling or a giant chandelier.  The key to an inspiration room is choosing elements that you like and using those elements in your space.

 

I liked the casual elegance of this room.  I liked the use of purple, black, white and natural.  I liked the use of metallic/mirrored pieces.  I liked the black coffee table.  And the element of nature brought in with the branch.

My living room:

Not a replica of my inspiration room, but it uses elements from that room. 

By the way, inspiration does not have to come from a picture - it can come from anywhere.  Maybe you're inspired by a swimming pool.  You draw elements that you love - bold turquoise, colorful accents, low to the ground lounge chairs. 

Maybe you're inspired by a library.  You draw out elements that you love - simple wood furniture, highly organized space, quiet and muted tones and lots of books.

Tell me about a room in your house - where did you draw inspiration from?

 

 

Lists

I love lists.  They help me stay organized and keep me from forgetting things. 

 

I remembered reading an article about a book of handwritten lists, compiled from various people.  I did a quick search and found the author, Sasha Cagen, also maintains a blog  - to-do list.  Following is a short description of the blog: "What does your to-do list say about you?  To-Do List blog celebrates the world of the overlooked and mundane, letting our lists serve as unique windows into who we are. Because nothing is more revealing than someone's to-do list."

 

As a listmaker and sociologist, I find this fascinating.  Here are a few of my lists.

 

 

 

And finally, I designed a free printable weekly to-do list for you to use!

 

Free Printable Weekly To-Do List

Enjoy!

Clutch Bag

I wanted to make a little bag, as a gift.  I didn't have a zipper, but I did have some scrap fabric, a hair elastic and a button - and that is all you need!!

First cut two rectangles from two different fabrics.  You can choose any dimensions, but mine were 10 inches wide x 15 inches long. 

Use a plate to trace rounded corners on one of the short ends, then cut.

Pin right sides together.  Place the hair elastic centered in the center of the rounded short side.

Sew around the edge, leaving a small opening on one of the edges and be sure to backstitch before and after the opening.  Then turn the bag inside out, through the opening.

(Be sure to have your Sonic drink close at hand!)  Then iron.

 

 

Sew the opening closed, using a ladder stitch.  Here is a tutorial at Sew It Love It.  Then fold the bottom short edge up five inches and sew each side.  I also added a decorative topstitch around the flap.

 

 

Then sew a button on!

 

 

What would you use your cute clutch bag for?

 

Painted Coffee Table

I moved into a new place and went with a new color scheme [later post].  My last coffee table was an ocean green antique trunk (which I love) but it didn't exactly fit with my new living room.  I pictured an oval, black coffee table in my new space.

 

So I check Craigslist and found a somewhat beat-up, wood/laminate, oval coffee table for $10.  Score! 

 

 

I did a bit of sanding, especially on that nail polish spot on the top.  I also used wood filler in the deeper gashes.

 

 

Then I primed the table, using the same tinted primer as I used on my dresser.

 

 

Then I painted the table, giving it two coats.  I used a foam brush for the everything but the top, for the top surface, I used a small roller and brush for cabinets and doors.

 

 

 

Then I gave the table two coats of polyurethane - clear satin.  I wasn't sure about what type of sealant to use, but from my research, it seems like the only drawback of this type is that it could yellow over time.  Since it's over black paint, I didn't think that would affect this piece.

 

 

I let it dry 24 hours and then moved it into my living room!  What do you think?

Next step:  Style my coffee table!

Beautiful Bedroom Canopy - Thank you Pinterest!

Pinterest Inspiration Pics:

 

 

 

You'll Need:

3 curtain rods (mine were $5 each at Walmart)

6 yards of white, gauzy fabric

 

First - make sure your bed is in it's final position in the room. 

 

Second - mount the curtain rods to the ceiling on each side and the foot of the bed. 

 

 

Third - cut the fabric into 6 panels.  Cut the six yards in half, to make two panels of 3 yards each.  Then measure and cut the width of the two panels into thirds.  My panels ended up being approx. 19.5 inches wide.  For the length, measure your floor to ceiling.  Add 4.5 inches for hemming.

 

Fourth - hem the two sides and bottom of the panels. 

For the top, fold two inches, then fold two inches again and hem near the bottom.  This creates an opening to thread the curtain onto the curtain rod.

 

 

Fifth - Hang your curtains and enjoy your beautiful faux canopy bed.