Table Talk
The coffee table is where feet go up, coffee cups come down, remotes get tossed, games get played and whatever we’re reading ends up in a pile.
But since it sits smack-dab in the middle of the room, why not give it a little personality, too?
Stack some favorite books, mix in a few vintage finds and leave a little breathing room. After all, your morning mug still needs a place to land.
Think Outside the Table
Before worrying about what goes on the coffee table, have a little fun with the table itself.
An old steamer trunk makes a great coffee table and gives you a place to stash blankets, games and other living room clutter. You can use an ottoman too.
You also can repurpose an old drafting table, workbench or sturdy farm table by cutting down the legs to coffee table height. An old factory cart, complete with chunky wheels, also adds instant character.
Barnwood is another natural fit. Build a rustic table from reclaimed boards and don’t fuss over every ding, nail hole or saw mark. The imperfections are part of the charm. Old doors, wooden crates and even pieces salvaged from a cabin or boathouse can also get a second life as a one-of-a-kind table.
Keep your eyes open at flea markets, estate sales and antique shops, too. The best coffee table probably didn’t start life as a coffee table at all.
Book It
Start with a few good looking books. Stack two or three favorites about the Northwoods, fishing, wildlife, cabins, Wisconsin history or local lakes.
Books do more than give guests something to flip through. They also create height. Top a stack with an old paperweight, a pair of antlers, a magnifying glass or other interesting find.
Don’t worry about pristine covers. An old fishing or bird book with a worn spine can have more character than a brand-new decorating book.
There are lots of beautiful coffee table books that not only look lovely sitting on the table, but are wonderful to pick up, read and flip through.
Shop the House
Before buying anything, go treasure hunting around your own home.
That little pottery planter sitting in a cupboard? Fill it with greenery. An old printer’s drawer can lie flat on the table and hold small treasures like fishing lures, stones, old keys, pinecones or other tiny finds. A vintage tin can hide remotes, while an old metal or wooden tray keeps them from wandering around the table.
Look for pieces that have a story. Maybe it’s Grandpa’s compass, a paperweight from an old resort, or a rock picked up on a family trip.
Your coffee table shouldn’t look like a furniture store display. It should look like you.
The Highs and Lows of It
Vary the height of everything on the table.
A stack of books creates one height. A planter, vase or candlestick adds another. Then tuck in something low, such as a small bowl, antler, vintage game or decorative box.
Mixing tall, short and horizontal pieces helps a coffee table arrangement feel more natural and interesting.
Just make sure taller pieces don’t block the view of the TV or the person sitting across from you.
Game On
Coffee tables are meant to be used, so why not leave something out that begs people to play?
A wooden tic-tac-toe set, a vintage deck of cards, a cribbage board or a small box of dominoes adds personality and gives everyone something to do.
Hunt antique stores and flea markets for old games with wooden pieces, worn boxes and graphics that fit the cabin look.
Go Soft
Coffee tables are hard surfaces, so soften things up underneath.
A small vintage doily can be charming on a chipped wooden table. Or try a narrow plaid runner, a piece of old quilt or folded wool textile beneath a tray or stack of books.
Don’t cover the entire table. A little fabric goes a long way and brings in color, pattern and softness.
Plaid is an easy Northwoods choice, but faded florals, old embroidery and vintage cabin textiles can be just as fun.
Corral the Clutter
Yes, the remotes have to go somewhere.
Instead of pretending they don’t exist, give them a home. Drop them into an old cigar box, vintage tin, wooden box or small tray. A shallow basket works, too.
Trays collect small items in one place and can be lifted when you need more room. Coffee tables have to hold drinks, phones, remotes and all sorts of everyday stuff, so good decorating should leave room for real life.
Change With the Seasons
You don’t need to change everything with the season. Keep your books, tray and favorite vintage pieces in place and swap out one or two things as the seasons change.
In fall, add a few pinecones, acorns, colorful leaves or a pottery pumpkin. Come winter, add evergreen clippings, bells or a colorful pair of mittens. Spring might bring pussy willows or wildflowers, while summer calls for lake finds, fishing floats and stones.
There really are no hard-and-fast rules for styling your coffee table. Well, maybe two: Make it your own and always leave room for the coffee.
