Decorating A Coffee Table Using A Basket Or Tray

All decorating is part science and part art. The science part involves using tried-and-true decorating techniques, which will result in a well-composed design. The artistic part involves getting creative and adding your personality to your design. The marriage of designer concepts and your ideas and personality is the sweet spot for creating attractive and interesting decor. So, when creating the perfect coffee table decorations, strive for a balance of using design concepts and being creative, letting your personality shine.

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A coffee table is one of my favorite things to decorate in our home. It’s prime decor real estate for a mini focal point that infuses your home with your style. One of the easiest ways to create a lovely coffee table vignette is to use a large tray or textural basket.

Choosing The Right Basket or Tray

Both a basket and tray have many benefits that help with coffee table styling.

It’s easy to grab any basket to create a decorating moment on the top of a coffee table, but the basket we choose sets the stage for the decor inside it. It lays the foundation for the decor on the top of your coffee table.

The right tray makes all the difference when decorating your coffee table. It keeps all the items in our vignette neatly together and organized. It’s both practical and a lovely addition to the top of a coffee table. A basket or tray can minimize clutter and maintain a clean aesthetic.

Keep these simple things in mind, and you will choose the right basket for your coffee table…

Size And Shape

When selecting a basket or tray, consider the size and shape of your coffee table.

Follow the Goldilocks rule: it should not be too big or too small, but just right.

The best indicator of whether or not a basket is the right size for your coffee table is your eyes. It’s not hard to tell if a basket overpowers a coffee table or is so small that the items in it look crowded and cluttered. Choose a basket that looks comfortable sitting on your table. It’s that easy.

So many opinions exist regarding the ideal basket shape for a specific coffee table shape. However, here’s the bottom line:

Trust your eyes. They will tell you if a basket is the right one for your coffee table.

I chose a medium-sized rectangle tray with low sides and cut-out handles for our oval coffee table. The tray left enough space on the table so I could add a book stand and a beautiful decor book opened to pages that inspire me.

Style, Color, And Personality

Selecting a basket for your coffee table that aligns with your style and color palette is the key to achieving a cohesive and visually appealing look. The basket’s style should not only work with the overall aesthetic of the room but also be an integral part of the style and color story of the coffee table design you want to create.

A basket should also reflect your personality and style, being the foundation that ties the story you are telling to the pieces you select to put inside the basket.

Our home boasts warm, neutral colors and a relaxed, make-yourself-at-home feel, so the basket I chose complimented that vibe.

Design Concepts To Keep In Mind

Because a basket gives you a defined area to work in, here are some design concepts to consider.

Texture: Incorporating a variety of various textures adds depth and visual interest to a coffee table vignette. The texture of the basket or tray will be a good starting point for adding texture that will enhance the tactile experience of the overall coffee table display.

What You Should Know About Texture will help you use this designer’s secret weapon to create depth and interest in your coffee table vignette.

Varying Heights: Using items of different heights within the basket to add dimension and drama. This creates visual appeal and prevents the arrangement from appearing flat or boring. By incorporating tall, medium, and short objects, you can achieve a balanced composition that draws the eye in and creates visual charm.

Using Odd Numbers: Arranging items in odd numbers in a basket or tray, such as groups of three or five, creates a sense of balance and asymmetry that is visually pleasing. Odd-numbered groupings tend to feel more interesting and natural than even-numbered arrangements, adding a sense of movement and rhythm to the vignette.

Learn more about composing artful and beautiful decor by reading Rhythm, Repetition, and Movement In Design. and Using Odd Numbers: The Magic Of The Rule Of Three.

Color Story: Establishing a cohesive color scheme ties the coffee table decor together and creates a sense of curated cohesiveness. A well-executed color story creates a unified look that is pleasing to the eye.

Balance and Proportion: Proper balance and proportion in the arrangement of items within the basket or tray are essential for an attractive-looking vignette. Distributing visual weight evenly throughout the display prevents it from feeling top-heavy or cluttered. Also, paying attention to the scale of objects in relation to the size of the basket or tray helps maintain proportion and harmony within the composition.

Learn more about decorating using Scale Balance And Proportion.

Theme or Storytelling: Incorporating a theme or telling a story through the vignette adds a layer of personality and interest to the coffee table decoration.

These design concepts will help you create a beautiful coffee table display for your living area. However, keep in mind that these concepts are guidelines and can be broken. Don’t let them get in the way of your creativity and personal style.

Coffee Table Decor Ideas

I think this is the fun part of decorating: creating well-appointed decor that is full of interest and inspiration. After you have chosen the perfect basket or tray for your coffee table, now it is time to choose coffee table tray decor.

Choose Something Organic

Incorporating organic elements, such as plants, into a coffee table display adds life to the vignette and the entire room. The addition of something organic infuses warmth, texture, and a sense of connection to nature. Flowers and plants, in particular, also soften the look while introducing a tactile dimension to the decor.

For this display, I chose a small button fern. I loved the way it spread out and softened all the hard surfaces in the basket.

In many of my coffee table creations, I like to use a small vase of fresh flowers or a potted plant, but I also use several other organics from time to time. These are my favorites:

• A large bowl is something organic, like shells, stones, or pinecones.
• An urn of branches, reeds, or dried decorative grasses.
• Ceramic vases, pots, or bowls in an earthy texture.
• Moss balls

A Stack Of Books And Coffee Table Books

Incorporating books into a coffee table vignette nestled inside a basket introduces another layer of dimension and color to the display. Books offer visual interest with their varying sizes, colors, and textures, enhancing the overall look of the arrangement. Placing them inside a basket not only keeps them organized but also creates a visually pleasing stack that adds height and depth to the vignette.

Books also act as a riser, allowing other decor items placed on top of them to be elevated and displayed more prominently.

I added two stacks of books to the basket on the coffee table display in our living room, keeping them about the same height and size.

I chose the size of the basket used to create this vignette with the idea of adding a book stand to hold one of my favorite decorating books near it on the coffee table. I like the idea of adding something outside the basket arrangement so it does not stand alone.

Ideas For Decorating With Books You Already Have And Love is full of ideas for adding books in beautiful ways to your decor.

Candles

Creating ambiance is an important part of a coffee table. There is something alluring about the soft golden glow of a flickering candle or lantern. Candles create coziness and intimacy that naturally draw us in close.

In addition to their captivating glow, candles are great choices because they contribute texture, height, and sometimes a gentle fragrance to a coffee table arrangement.

I chose a large, fragrant candle in a tortoiseshell glass container for the vignette I created for our living room. I liked how it complimented the basket’s color and added height to the arrangement’s overall look. The candle acts as a statement piece in this coffee table centerpiece.

Accessories

You can use a plethora of accessories and decor accents to enhance the story of your coffee table display. These items can be practical and functional, add style, and be attractive or both.

Here are some items most often used items corralled in a basket on a coffee table:

Decorative Box: A decorative box adds both style and functionality to a coffee table. It provides a practical storage solution for small items like remote controls or coasters while also serving as a decorative accent.

Wooden Beads: Wooden beads in a small bowl or decorative tray add texture, color, and an organic feel to a coffee table. They also add a bit of artful grace when they are draped over the edge of a bowl or spill out across a stack of books.

Coasters: Coasters not only protect the surface of the coffee table but also add a pop of color or texture to a basket vignette. Choose coasters that complement the overall decor scheme for a polished look. I used a simple slate set of coasters to add depth and continue the clean look of the vignette. The textures of the basket and slate add an attractive juxtaposition.

Sculptural Objects: Incorporating sculptural objects, such as stone figurines, abstract sculptures, or carved ornaments, adds visual and tactile interest and artistic flair to the coffee table display.

Something Quirky: Introducing a quirky item adds an element of surprise and whimsy to the decor, infusing it with personality. I used a small brass turtle on top of the stack of slate coasters to introduce my love of turtles into the decor. I like the way the tortoiseshell candle and the little turtle send a subliminal message about this interest.

Book Toppers: Book toppers are exactly what they sound like—items that sit on top of books. They add a layer of decor and interest and enhance the overall charm of a coffee table arrangement. Both the candle and the magnifying glass with the horn handle are considered book toppers.

If Your Coffee Table Has A Bottom Shelf

The bottom shelf of a coffee table is a wonderful place to continue your coffee table decor. If you are using a basket or tray on top of the coffee table, I would suggest not using another one on the bottom shelf. Instead, stack items to be displayed like books, magazines, boxes, or even decorative throw blankets. For this table’s bottom shelf, I used three stacks of my favorite decorating books. Simple, easy, and attractive, continuing the theme of decor books that were featured on top of the coffee table.

Savvy Things To Keep In Mind

Here are a few smart things to keep in mind when creating a coffee table display in a basket:

• Don’t overcrowd your basket or tray. Give items a little bit of breathing room.
• Have plenty of decor options on hand to use in the basket.
• Style and restyle until you get a composition you like.
• Don’t be afraid to edit. Most of us overdecorate.
• Change up coffee table decor often.

Follow these easy tips, and you will be a pro at creating beautiful, meaningful, and interesting coffee table decorations using a basket or tray for your home.

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Happy Decorating!