Vignettes and styling...cool coffee tables

I love coffee tables (or ottomans) and always always use them. I just don't think a living room looks complete without them, even without the obvious functional uses!

Styling a coffee table can be tricky though; the vignette generally needs to be lower in height, and pretty from all angles. There's no walls to lean against so everything must be freestanding.

Emily Ruddo's home. Featured on The Lennoxx.

A tray is a great way to make a coffee table work beautifully. It corrals knick knacks and gives them 'purpose'. I also love the use of taller vase or flowers to give the vignette real impact.

Feasby and Bleeks Design. Featured on Style at Home.

I find with square or rectangular coffee tables it can be easier if you divide the space into a grid. The coffee table below has a group of items in each 'square'; flowers in one, a stack of books in the other and so on.

Studio Ten 25

Here's another example, with a central group of flowers. Here, the stacks of books serve as a great alternative to a tray to group small items.

Featured in Lonny Mag.

This coffee table is a little more ecclectic, with a scattering or objects. Love the tall glass vases here!

(Sub)urban Home store.

Do you have a favourite formula for your coffee table? Any favourites above?