Styling Tricks for Round Coffee Tables

Recently, we shared our expert tips on how to style a coffee table. The table we used specifically, though, was rectangular, and some readers chimed in to request help with how to arrange a round coffee table. Though most of the same principles apply no matter what shape you’re working with, I’ve rounded up takeaways and inspiration for round tables.

This tabletop shows off the power of divide and conquer (that is, dividing the table in two, and conquering each side!). In the Nashville home of Katherine Vo, the blogger and stylist went for a more relaxed (yet sneakily organized) approach to her coffee table styling. On one portion, hefty pillar candles, magazines and free-flowing eucalyptus command attention, while the other side showcases more delicate flower buds and taper candles. The rest of this 500-square-foot apartment is a must-see on The Everygirl.

If you’re styling a round coffee table and you want a simple, arranged look, try dividing your table into thirds or quadrants. Here, from Laura Trevey’s blog, homeowner and interior designer Angela Elliott opted for three sections atop her gorgeous acrylic table. A grouping of books topped with dazzling objects occupies each portion.

Centered that is. I spotted this great coffee table a while back online at Target (not currently available), and while I think it’s a great furnishing for the price, what I really found memorable was the styling. Here, a rattan tray is purposefully positioned off to one side, while a small catch-all balances it and fills the rest of the negative space. The positioning is unexpected (the tray could have easily been placed dead center), but being off center keeps it interesting.

I love a well-thought-out collection on display; here, designer Elena Frampton (via Dering Hall) displays a tight collection of black candlesticks on this brass coffee table. The simplicity of the collection draws your eye in and starts a conversation. (Plus, keeping everything together leaves the rest of the table open for functional purposes.)

Georgia Abay of The Grace Tales shared her coffee table with The Interiors Addict. There, she talked about how the display is constantly changing, but one thing never fails: her coffee table always shows off things that she loves. “Have fun with it — styling your coffee table is a great creative outlet,” she says to The Interiors Addict. “Keep it simple – there’s nothing worse than too much clutter. You should love every single item on your coffee table. If you don’t have time to style your coffee table properly, my three quick essentials are fresh flowers, a book and a candle.”