I Styled 50+ Coffee Tables – Here Are the 3 Mistakes Everyone Makes
Cozy DIY Home
DIY Home Decor on a Budget
Want to create a beautiful & cozy home? I share weekly budget-friendly DIY decor ideas to inspire you to create a home you love.
SHARE
After helping hundreds of readers through my “Cozy Home Starter Kit” and styling countless coffee tables in real homes, I’ve noticed the same three coffee table styling mistakes pop up over and over again. The good news? They’re incredibly easy to fix, and the transformation is always dramatic.
Whether you’re working with a thrift store find, an IKEA basic, or a splurge piece you’ve had for years, these mistakes are holding your coffee table (and your entire living room) back from looking its best.
Mistake #1: The “Everything Must Be Functional” Trap
What I see: Coffee tables covered with remotes, charging cables, mail, keys, and whatever landed there that day. Or the opposite extreme: completely bare surfaces because “we actually use this table.”
Why it happens: I get it! Coffee tables are magnets for daily life. But when function completely takes over, your living room loses its cozy, intentional feel.
The fix: Follow my 50/50 Rule: 50% of your coffee table should be styled, 50% should remain functional space.
Here’s how to make it work:
Choose one end or the center for styling
Use a beautiful tray to corral daily essentials (remotes can live in a pretty basket)
Keep the center or sides clear for drinks, snacks, or board games
Store charging cables in a small drawer or hidden container
Real example: My friend Sarah had a coffee table buried under kids’ art supplies and mail. We moved art supplies to a nearby console in a pretty basket, created a mail station by the entryway, and suddenly her coffee table could breathe. She kept one corner functional with a wooden tray for drinks and books, and styled the rest. Game-changer!
Click on the button below to read the rest of my tips in the entire blog post:
OK, this isn't a home decor find, but it's SO amazing I had to share! These cozy boot socks are soft, cushy, and budget friendly. I'll be wearing them on repeat this Fall and Winter!