Crate and Barrel Coffee Table Styling Ideas That Transform Your Living Room Into a Designer Showcase
Your coffee table may appear vacant, but it likely contains a remote control, scattered mail, and yesterday’s water glass. As you pass by, you may sense that something is amiss. Your room lacks a polished look. Despite browsing through numerous Pinterest boards and saving countless inspiration photos, implementing these flawless arrangements in your own living space seems to be where the struggle lies.The honest reality of coffee table styling is often overlooked: it does not require splurging on pricey decorations or strictly adhering to set guidelines. Rather, it involves grasping a few key principles that seasoned designers apply in their daily work. With this understanding, the days of staring at an empty coffee table in confusion will be a thing of the past.This comprehensive guide showcases twenty unique styling techniques that perfectly complement Crate and Barrel coffee tables. Drawing from first-hand observations of homeowners’ common struggles, extensive testing in real living spaces, and an analysis of why certain arrangements may look good in photos but fail to function well in daily use.Whether you have the fashionable Parsons concrete table, a modern glass-topped Dillon, or any of their beautiful wood-and-metal creations, these principles remain relevant. Let’s delve into them.
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The principle of the Rule of Thirds aims
When entering a well-designed room, one may observe that objects are rarely placed directly in the center of surfaces. Instead, designers often opt to divide the space into thirds and strategically place focal points where these lines intersect. It seems to be an intuitive approach for creating balance and interest within a space.When visualizing a rectangular Crate and Barrel coffee table, envision drawing two invisible lines horizontally and vertically to form a nine-section grid. These intersecting points serve as your prime placement areas for showcasing captivating items.To achieve the desired look for a table, such as the popular Parsons design found in Crate and Barrel’s living room collection, consider arranging it in the following manner: position your tallest item at one third intersection, place your most colorful piece at another, and leave the remaining spaces either empty or adorned with smaller accessories.To put this into action, begin by positioning a sculptural vase at the back left intersection. Then, incorporate a stack of books in the front right area. Finally, include a small decorative bowl near the center, slightly offset to one side. This arrangement achieves a sense of balance and intrigue without relying on complete symmetry or chaos.By incorporating the rule of thirds, you can avoid the common pitfall of cluttering everything in the center or distributing it too evenly across the page. This approach guides the viewer’s gaze and adds a touch of effortless elegance, similar to what you would find in professional magazine layouts.It is important to note that this rule acts as a guide, rather than a strict dictate. At times, breaking it can lead to the desired statement. However, having a thorough understanding of it beforehand provides a solid foundation from which to work.
Mixing Materials Adds Richness and Depth
The use of one type of material in an arrangement can be uninteresting. Wood may evoke a rustic feel, but lacks depth. Metal can seem cold and impersonal. Ceramic may be visually appealing, yet lacks character.The key lies in the combination of materials. By thoughtfully pairing a wooden tray with a brass candleholder, as well as a set of marble coasters and a ceramic vase, you can create a captivating visual texture that entices people to take a closer look.Crate and Barrel tables are perfect for mixed-material designs, as several of them already incorporate combinations of materials. For example, the Frame coffee table combines mango wood and iron framing, while the Furn table combines travertine with tubular metal. These pre-made material blends provide a great foundation for creating layered arrangements.When choosing accessories, consider the overall finish rather than focusing on individual materials. Aim for a contrast between matte and shiny, rough and smooth, heavy and light. For example, placing a polished metal box next to a rough-textured stone sphere next to a glossy ceramic dish will create an eye-catching visual dialogue that captures people’s attention.Don’t make the mistake of only using items made from the same material as your table. For example, if you have an oak coffee table, don’t limit yourself to just wooden decor. Instead, use the table as your wood element and mix in other elements like brass, glass, woven materials, and stone to enhance its overall look.This arrangement is a versatile match for any Crate and Barrel table. It includes a metal tray, a decorative stone or marble piece, a glass vase holding fresh flowers, and books covered in cloth or paper. This cohesive display incorporates four different materials.
Styling With Colorful Flowers Brings Immediate Life
Few things can change the look of a coffee table as quickly as fresh flowers. Their vibrant hues, natural fluidity, and charming imperfections give a space a lively, authentic feel.When selecting decorations for your table, it is important to opt for arrangements that enhance the overall look instead of dominating it. To achieve this, consider using low and compact arrangements rather than tall and extravagant ones on coffee tables. This will allow for clear sightlines and ensure that guests can easily interact with each other without having to strain their necks around a bulky floral display.As you think about your vase selection, give it the same level of attention as you do to your flowers. A clear glass cylinder beautifully displays stems and water. Opt for a ceramic bud vase when using single stems or small groupings. For a touch of warmth and formality, consider a brass vessel.With seasonal flowers, styling becomes effortless and your space maintains a trendy feel. As the weather warms up, opt for tulips, peonies, and ranunculus in spring. In the summer months, dahlias, sunflowers, and zinnias are perfect choices. When fall arrives, chrysanthemums, dried grasses, and seed pods add to the cozy atmosphere. And during winter, adorn your space with evergreen clippings, berry branches, and forced bulbs for a beautiful look.For those who struggle to keep their plants watered or are often away from home, dried flowers and preserved eucalyptus can provide long-lasting beauty with minimal upkeep. Several interior design references suggest having a variety of dried arrangements on hand during times when fresh flowers may not be feasible.Having assisted numerous individuals in decorating their homes, I have noticed that grocery store flowers tend to capture well in photos compared to pricier floral displays placed on coffee tables. The naturalness of a basic bouquet of tulips or a small selection of wildflowers exudes a relatable and genuine vibe, unlike meticulously designed arrangements.Don’t dismiss flowers simply because they may seem fleeting or indulgent. Even a budget-friendly bouquet from the supermarket can elevate your entire living room and give it a sense of tender attention. It’s truly incredible how much impact such a modest expense can have.
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Using a Variety of Shapes Prevents Visual Monotony
Round objects only? Your arrangement looks like a bowling alley. All rectangles? Everything feels rigid and corporate. The answer lies in intentional shape variety.
Think about the geometric forms sitting on your table as a conversation between different personalities. A round vase talks to a rectangular book stack. A square tray grounds an organic, freeform sculpture. A cylindrical candle balances an angular box.
Most successful coffee table arrangements include at least three distinct shapes. Try combining circular elements like bowls, candles, or rounded vases with rectangular items like books, boxes, or trays. Then add something organic or irregular—a piece of driftwood, an asymmetrical sculpture, or a plant with natural curves.
Crate and Barrel’s accessory collection offers excellent shape variety. Their round travertine bowls contrast beautifully with angular metal frames and sculptural objects with flowing lines. Shopping within one retailer’s collection often creates natural cohesion while still providing the variety you need.
The shape of your table itself should influence your choices. Rectangular tables like the Parsons or Aspect lines benefit from adding circular elements that soften their geometry. Round or oval tables like the Clairemont or Dolf styles pair well with more angular accessories to create interest.
One thing that trips people up: thinking too literally about “matching” shapes. A round table doesn’t need round accessories. In fact, it often looks better with rectangular trays and square boxes that provide contrast. Let shapes play off each other rather than echo each other.
Varying Heights of Accessories Creates Visual Interest
Flat arrangements bore the eye. When everything sits at the same height, your gaze slides right past without engaging. Different heights create the visual peaks and valleys that make arrangements interesting.
Think of your coffee table styling like a small cityscape. You want buildings of different sizes—some tall focal points, some medium supporting elements, some low ground-level pieces. This variation creates a skyline effect that draws attention and holds interest.
The tallest element typically becomes your anchor piece. This might be a vase with flowers reaching upward, a sculptural object, or a tall candle arrangement. Place it toward the back or one corner so it doesn’t block sightlines across your seating area.
Medium-height elements fill the middle ground. Stacked books, decorative boxes, and small sculptures work well here. They support the tall anchor without competing with it.
Low elements ground the arrangement and fill remaining space. Think coasters, small bowls, flat decorative objects, or trailing plant cuttings. These pieces give the eye somewhere to rest between the more dramatic elements.
A practical formula: your tallest piece should be roughly twice the height of your lowest piece, with medium elements falling somewhere in between. On a typical coffee table, this might translate to a twelve-inch vase, a six-inch book stack, and a two-inch decorative bowl.
Pay attention to the overall height proportion relative to your table. Accessories shouldn’t tower so high that they visually overwhelm the table itself. Keep your tallest elements in reasonable proportion—usually no more than about one-third the length of the table in height.
Layering Textures Makes Simple Items Feel Luxurious
When styling a coffee table, texture plays a crucial role. Two items that share the same color and shape can still convey different feelings depending on their surface texture. For instance, a glossy bowl will have a different impact from a matte one, even if they have the same size.For instance, a smooth and glossy bowl will give off a different vibe compared to a rough and matte one, even if they are of identical size.Consider texture in relation to light and surfaces. Reflective surfaces exude a formal, cool, and modern vibe, while matte surfaces emit a warm, relaxed, and organic feel. On the other hand, rough textures create an element of visual intricacy by catching light in unexpected ways.Layering involves incorporating different textures into one composition. For example, a woven basket tray adorned with a polished marble sphere and a rough-hewn wooden box creates three unique textural elements. As you look at each surface, you discover new details to admireNatural materials are ideal for adding a beautiful, grounded element to coffee table arrangements. Options like rattan, seagrass, and jute offer warmth, while stone and marble bring a sense of depth and solidity. Additionally, wood adds a familiar and comforting touch.In addition to the innate foundations, incorporate refined surfaces for variation. Shiny metals reflect light exquisitely. Smooth, tactile glazes create a pleasing feel. Transparent glass offers a sense of weightlessness and allows light to pass through.The concept of texture layering can be applied to all surfaces in your home, not just coffee tables. By recognizing texture as a key element in design, you’ll see how it is utilized by experienced designers in various areas.The coffee table, positioned at hand height, invites guests to interact with the objects on display. Opt for textures that are pleasant to touch, such as smooth stones, woven natural fibers, and finely-grained wooden pieces. Your accessories should appeal to both the eye and the sense of touch.
Topping an Ottoman With a Tray Creates Instant Surface
If your Crate and Barrel coffee table is actually an ottoman—a popular choice for comfort and flexibility—a tray transforms soft surface into stable styling platform. Without a tray, accessories slide around, tip over, and generally create chaos on upholstered surfaces.
The tray establishes firm boundaries and stable footing for decorative objects. It signals that this zone is for display, creating visual permission for arrangement that soft cushion alone doesn’t provide.
Select a tray large enough to accommodate meaningful styling but not so large it overwhelms the ottoman. The tray should leave visible ottoman surface around its edges, maintaining the soft, comfortable character that drew you to an ottoman in the first place.
Rectangular trays work beautifully on rectangular ottomans. Round trays soften square ottomans and add geometric interest. The tray shape doesn’t need to match the ottoman shape—contrast often creates better visual results.
Materials matter for ottoman trays. Sturdy options with raised edges prevent items from sliding off. Wooden trays feel warm and substantial. Metal trays add polish. Woven trays bring textural interest.
Style the tray using all the principles we’ve discussed: varying heights, mixing materials, considering color, incorporating natural elements. The tray becomes your mini coffee table, a contained stage for your accessories.
When you need the ottoman surface for feet or extra seating, simply lift the entire tray and set it aside. Everything stays arranged and ready to return when the ottoman resumes display duty.
Leaving a Board Game Out Invites Connection
While some style guides view board games as something to be concealed, a stunning vintage or sophisticated contemporary game can add authentic character and encourage practical utilization.Stunning decorative editions of games such as chess or backgammon can be used both as beautiful gallery-worthy pieces and for playing. For instance, a marble chess set or a leather-bound backgammon board serves as both artistic decor and enjoyable entertainment.Presenting a game in the midst of play, with pieces suspended and anticipation for the next move, adds an element of storytelling. It piques viewers’ curiosity about the ongoing match, allowing them to envision the players involved, and possibly even prompting them to join in. This quality of narrative adds greater appeal to set-up games compared to stationary objects.Choose games that align with your family’s true passions. For example, a household that enjoys puzzles could proudly showcase a partially completed jigsaw puzzle in a designated display case. Similarly, Scrabble aficionados may opt to arrange the letter tiles to spell out a meaningful phrase or word.Some practical things to keep in mind are preventing disruptions to the game due to table use, making sure missing pieces can be easily replaced, and having spare pieces stored in a nearby drawer for when they are inevitably lost. Additionally, it may be wise to consider using covers or boxes to protect the game when it is not being actively played.In addition, games can be great icebreakers when hosting. They can help reveal common interests among guests, spark spontaneous competitions, and transform your coffee table into a social hub rather than just a decorative piece.
Putting Everything Together: Creating Your Personal Arrangement
Begin by establishing a distinct focal point, utilizing the rule of thirds. Introduce height diversity to add intrigue. Combine two or three different materials for added dimension. Opt for a cohesive color scheme within the arrangement. Incorporate at least one natural element to infuse warmth and organic charm. Be sure to leave ample negative space to allow the arrangement to have room to breathe.Your starting point is your foundation. Afterwards, incorporate your personal touch by reading books you genuinely enjoy, displaying flowers you love, playing games you truly engage in, and lighting candles during moments of tranquility.The most impressive coffee table displays reveal genuine tales of the inhabitants. They beckon to be touched, foster discussions, and cater to everyday routines. Not only do they appear attractive, but they also serve a practical purpose.Crate and Barrel tables are built with functionality in mind, making them reliable options as a strong base. The surfaces are durable enough to withstand daily use, while the proportions allow for practical arrangements without the need for excessive accessories.
Remember that it’s important to refresh your arrangement regularly, but don’t be afraid to embrace minimalism or mix vintage and modern elements. When it comes to protecting your table surface, simple solutions like felt pads and trays can go a long way. And if you have young children at home, consider center-focused styling and durable materials for a practical yet stylish approach. Lastly, there is no need for all accessories in your living room to match perfectly; instead, focus on incorporating one or two repeated colors while allowing for variation within a cohesive palette. Have fun experimenting with different styles and make your coffee table the centerpiece of your living room!
