Home Decor
Coffee Table Decor Ideas: How to Style a Coffee Table
How to style a coffee table with a tray, candles, a sculpture and coasters, with sizes and materials for ten pieces you can build the look from.
At a glance
- Start with a tray to hold the group together.
- Add one candle holder or lantern for height and light.
- Choose one sculpture you can see past from the sofa.
- Keep coasters within reach for cups and glasses.
- Never leave a lit candle unattended.
Gold Round Trinket Tray, 20cm Stainless Steel £19.99 · Free UK delivery Shop To style a coffee table, start with a tray. Add one candle holder, one sculpture and a set of coasters. Keep the pieces low and leave room for cups.
What goes on a coffee table?
A coffee table holds four layers: a tray, something to light, one object to look at and something to protect the surface.
- Tray: gathers small items into one group.
- Candle holder or lantern: adds height and soft light.
- Sculpture or ornament: gives the eye one point to rest on.
- Coasters: protect the table and sit within reach.
Leave clear space for cups, a book and the remote.
Which tray suits a coffee table?
A tray suits a coffee table when it holds the group and leaves most of the surface clear. Choose it by shape and size first.
| Tray | Size | Material (supplier stated) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold round trinket dish | 20cm across | 430 stainless steel, gold coating |
| Gold rim mirrored tray | 35 x 15 x 1.5cm | Alloy, mirrored glass base |
| Cave stone round catchall | 20 x 20 x 3cm | Cave stone |
The round gold dish is a small base for a group. The mirrored tray is long and narrow. It holds small items in a row along a rectangular table. The cave stone tray is 3cm deep with a raised rim. The supplier lists cave stone and we have not verified the stone type. The supplier lists it at about 1.4kg packed.
The photo below shows the low edge of the round gold dish.
The gold round trinket dish also holds rings and keys between uses. Wipe it with a soft damp cloth and dry it.
Which candle holder suits a coffee table?
A low tealight holder or a table lantern suits a coffee table. A hanging lantern does not. Choose one of them for the table.
The crescent moon holder is gold-finish metal with a small hanging star. It holds one tealight. The candle is not included. The supplier does not list LED fit. Check the diameter before you buy.
The black candle lantern has an iron frame with clear glass panels and a hinged side door. The supplier lists block, branch and cup-shaped candles. The photos show a pillar candle. The supplier gives a packed size only. Measure your gap against it.
The Moroccan-style lantern has a ring on top and is made for hanging. It suits a hook better than a table.
The photo below shows the glass panels and scroll trim on the black lantern.
The crescent moon holder is the lowest priced candle piece in this guide.
How do you keep candles safe on a coffee table?
Keep candles safe on a coffee table by never leaving a lit candle unattended. Put it out before you leave the room.
The London Fire Brigade names candles, incense sticks and oil burners as one of the most common causes of fire. It advises keeping them away from curtains, furniture and clothes. It also advises a fire-resistant holder that will not be knocked over.
Use a flat surface. Keep the flame clear of books and magazines on the table. The metal and glass of a lantern stay hot after the flame is out.
Which sculpture suits a coffee table?
One sculpture suits a coffee table when you can see past it from the sofa. A tall piece blocks the view across the room.
| Piece | Size | Material (supplier stated) |
|---|---|---|
| Gold camel ornament | 16 x 7 x 25cm | Synthetic resin |
| Glass horse statue | No size listed | Glass, polished |
| Women on rings sculpture | Packed 44 x 10.5 x 31cm | Resin |
The camel is the only piece here with a stated product size. The horse listing gives no measurements. The sculpture gives its packed size only. Measure the space before you buy.
The glass horse is clear with an amber mane and tail on a flat glass base. Dust it with a soft dry cloth. Hold it by the body and base.
The women on rings sculpture shows two figures in black dresses with silver-coloured limbs. One reads inside a ring and one sits on a ring. The supplier lists it as living room decor with no weather rating.
The photo below shows the saddle detail on the camel.
Do coasters belong on a coffee table?
Yes, coasters belong on a coffee table. They protect the surface and keep a place for cups within reach.
The marble-effect set holds six round ceramic coasters with a cork base. They stand upright in a black metal stand. Each coaster is about 10cm across. The set works out at about £4.17 per coaster.
The photo below shows the coasters in their stand.
The supplier gives no heat rating. Use them under mugs and glasses and keep hot pans and dishes off them. Keep the stand at the edge of the table and lay a few coasters out by the sofa.
How do you style a round or rectangular coffee table?
Style a round coffee table around one central group and a rectangular table with a long group or two small ones. The shape of the table sets the shape of the display.
- Round table: one round tray in the middle with the candle and the sculpture on or beside it.
- Rectangular table: a long tray along the centre line or two small groups towards each end.
- Small table: a tray and coasters only. Add one piece if space allows.
- Large table: a tray group plus a short stack of books with a small ornament on top.
Books make a low, steady base for a small ornament. A potted plant or a vase of stems adds a living piece to the group. Keep both low enough to see past from the sofa.
Our guide on how to style a vase covers vase heights and stems for a table.
How do you arrange a coffee table step by step?
Arrange a coffee table in five steps, working from the tray out.
- Clear the table and wipe it.
- Place the tray in the centre or off to one side.
- Put the candle holder on the tray first.
- Add the sculpture beside it at a different height.
- Set the coasters at the edge of the table.
Sit on the sofa and look across the table. Move any piece that blocks the view.
Which pieces should you choose?
Choose by the table shape and the style you want.
- Gold and small: the gold round trinket dish with the crescent moon holder.
- Long and narrow: the mirrored tray with the gold camel.
- Stone and black: the cave stone tray with the black candle lantern.
- Clear and light: the glass horse beside the mirrored tray.
- Every table: the marble-effect coasters within reach.
See every tray, candle holder and ornament in Home Decor.
Coffee table pieces compared in this guide
| Product | Price | Why it is here |
|---|---|---|
 Cave Stone Round Catchall Tray, 20cm | £49.99 | A round cave stone catchall tray with a raised rim and a pale, pitted look. |
 Gold Rim Mirrored Trinket Tray, 35 x 15cm | £22.99 | A rectangular tray with a mirrored base and a slim gold-coloured rim. |
| Gold Round Trinket Tray, 20cm Stainless Steel | £19.99 | A round gold trinket dish in 430 stainless steel as stated by the supplier. |
 Gold Crescent Moon Tealight Candle Holder | £19.99 | A gold-finish metal crescent moon with a small hanging star that holds one tealight. |
| Black Candle Lantern, Brushed Gold Finish, Iron Frame | £44.99 | A black iron lantern with brushed gold highlights and glass panels for a pillar candle. |
 Black Moroccan-Style Hanging Candle Lantern, Metal and Glass | £29.99 | A black cut-out metal lantern with patterned glass panels and a ring on top for hanging. |
 Glass Horse Statue, Rearing, with Amber Mane | £29.99 | A clear glass horse rearing on its hind legs with an amber mane and tail. |
| Gold Camel Ornament, Resin, 25cm Tall | £29.99 | A gold resin camel with a decorated saddle and a fine chain at the head. |
 Modern Resin Sculpture, Women on Black Rings | £49.99 | A resin sculpture of two women on black rings, one reading and one seated. |
| Marble-Effect Ceramic Coasters, Set of 6 with Stand | £24.99 | Six ceramic coasters with a marble-effect top and a cork base in a black metal stand. |
Questions answered
How many items should go on a coffee table? +
Enough to style it and still leave room for cups. If the table feels full, take one piece off.
Should coffee table decor match the sofa? +
No, it does not need to match. Repeating one colour or finish from the room makes the table look planned.
Do you need coasters on a wooden coffee table? +
Yes. Coasters stop wet or hot cups from leaving rings on the wood.
How do you keep a coffee table tidy? +
Give loose items one home on a tray. Clear the table back to the tray at the end of each day.
