How to decide what to put on your coffee table: a complete guide

Coffee tables are the unsung heroes of the living room. A seemingly less important piece of furniture, they do in fact play a key role. Alongside the sofa, they complete the picture, creating a sense of balance in your space.

Their rise to fame began in the 1950s, when the first television sets entered our homes. There was a new need for low-down, easily accessible surfaces for cups, glasses or other small items while watching the TV. Over the years, they’ve moved from serving a functional purpose, as somewhere to rest your coffee cup, to a more decorative one, considered part of the interior design.

In this article, we’ll be looking at some of the coffee tables in Santalucia Mobili’s collection, discovering what we can add to turn them into a real feature. Plus we’ll be giving you some practical tips for making a statement with your coffee table.

Match your living room furniture to get the style right

The first thing to consider when choosing the right coffee table is whether it reflects the furnishing style of your living room. Coherent style is what creates harmony in a space. No unwanted contrasts or visual stumbling blocks.The coffee table needs to work alongside the sofa, sideboard, bookcase and other furniture, just like the Combo model below.

To create a modern feel, geometric lines and matt finishes are the way to go. In the living room below, for example, the Monet coffee table in two different heights features the same shades as the sofa and bookcase, as well as the metal details.

The lightweight design of the Giotto coffee table, on the other hand, is perfect if you prefer a more minimalist feel. With a slim, metal structure, available in different colours, it’s also perfect in an industrial-style living space.

For a more classically styled room, the Triade coffee table completes your interiors with an original metal base and a round, marble-effect top that adds an elegant finishing touch.

The coloured version of the Triade coffee table, here used in a pair, also sits well in a living room with a ‘70s vibe – just going to show how colour can completely change the look and feel of a piece of furniture.

The Spillo coffee table with a wood-effect top helps create a warm, inviting feel in a Nordic-inspired living space, where the focus is on simple features, natural materials and a few well-chosen pieces of furniture.

Must-haves to decorate your living room table

The overall aim is to choose a table that is in keeping with the living room interiors and doesn’t look out of place. But there’s one other thing to keep in mind: occasional tables decorate the space but they can also be decorated themselves. What should you put on your table to bring out the best of its shape and style? And, no, we don’t mean the usual ornamental clutter!

Books and magazines can add cultural clout to your coffee table. Coffee table books on art, fashion, photography or architecture are more just something to flick through; if well thought out, they can add to the table itself, with an eye-catching cover, quality prints or a statement format. They work well either on a bookcase or resting on a surface, and are often chosen for the colour or design of their cover, to match the space.

Scented candles are a simple way to decorate and create atmosphere in your living space. In addition to traditional styles in glass jars, today they come in all shapes and sizes. You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to original, elegant designs and you can even choose your favourite style and scent!

Another home furnishing must-have is a diffuser. Many brands offer beautiful designs that look like miniature sculptures – perfect for creating a focal point on your coffee table, without being overbearing.

Trinket trays and centrepieces are both decorative and useful. Whether made from porcelain, silver or glass, they help keep your table top tidy, creating a home for loose objects like remote controls and keys. Or even for chocolates and sweets to offer your guests.

One of the most versatile choices for your table is a vase. In metal, they add extra shine and character; in glass, they catch the light and create see-through effects, even in colour. Leave them empty if they’re an interesting shape, or fill them with fresh flowers or creative compositions to match the style of your living space.

Do something more you

Your coffee table can change with the seasons, acting as a little spot to stage your own personal show as the year progresses. In spring, flowering branches bring new life and energy to the space with a boho-chic look; in summer, shells and preserved flowers work well. In autumn, opt for pampas grasses, pine cones and warm tones, and, in winter, go for Christmas decorations or lights for atmosphere.

Your coffee table is also a place for you to tell visitors your story. Beyond just decorations, why not add ornaments and accessories that say something about your hobbies and memories? Travel souvenirs, photo frames, sculptures, works of art or artisanal creations: these details are what make your home unique to you.

The important thing is not to overdo it. Keep it light. Don’t pile things up, as that creates clutter.

It’s all in the balance and proportions: decorate with nous

Decorating doesn’t just mean filling the space. Here are some simple guidelines to help you create well-balanced, harmonious interiors.

#1 Follow the rule of three

One much-loved tip is to arrange your ornaments in groups of three. The ideal setup is to group three elements that have different shapes, sizes and materials, like a book, candle and small vase, for example.

#2 Play with different heights and materials

The best-looking coffee tables have a dynamic feel to them. Alternating taller and shorter, and fuller and lighter, pieces in ceramic, glass, metal or wood helps create movement.

#3 Save some free space

Your coffee table still needs to serve its purpose, so keep some surface space for the things you need on a daily basis, like your remote control, a coffee cup or a serving tray. Finding the right balance between full and empty space helps ensure your table is also practical.

#4 Adapt to the shape of your table

The shape of your table top is one of the factors determining how best to decorate it:

• on a rectangular table, items arranged in a row, in the centre or slightly off-centre work well
• on a square table, play with symmetrical arrangements or focus on the middle of the table
• on a round table, keep the composition compact and follow the natural curve of the top.

Don’t make these mistakes when decorating your table

Even the most beautiful coffee table can lose its charm if badly decorated. Don’t make these common mistakes to ensure your interiors look balanced and coherent.

Too much stuff and colours that clash

The most common mistake is overloading the top with too many things. Randomly accumulated objects, colours that clash or materials that don’t work together all make your table look messy. Your table needs to be readable, not a complicated puzzle.

Forgetting the function

Your table needs to have space to rest a mug, book, device or tray on. If the ornaments take over, it might look nice but it won’t be much use. The aim is to find the right balance between how it looks and how practical it is, always keeping a corner free for everyday use.

Out of proportion

Sometimes the mistake lies not in how we decorate the table but in the table itself. Too small, and it risks fading into insignificance next to the sofa; too big, and it breaks the visual balance with the seating and isn’t actually very handy. At the same time, objects that are too big or too small for the table also create an imbalance, and make it hard to create a harmonious look.

Random allocation

Each item needs to be there for a reason, whether decorative or functional. A book that says something about your passions, a candle for atmosphere or a vase that reflects the colour scheme. If you choose carefully, you’ll create a curated, personalised composition.

The coffee table is a small part of your living room space but it can have a big impact. A few well-chosen objects, with the right materials and proportions to match the furniture, can turn it into a real design feature.

Explore the coffee tables and other modern complementary pieces, perfect for furnishing your contemporary living space, in the Homy Details catalogue.