DESIGN SCHOOL
How to Style a Coffee Table
Tips to help you create the most inspiring coffee table ever.

MEET THE DESIGNER
Lainey Hollis
Lainey Hollis is the Vice President of Product Development at Williams Sonoma Home, leading the in-house design team for the home furnishings brand. Her unique point of view guides her signature aesthetic: enduring design, spanning from traditional to modern, made only of the finest materials.

Divide Coffee Table
into Sections
Breaking the space into sections makes it easier to visualize your coffee table into smaller parts. For a square, think quadrants. For a rectangle, break it into thirds. And, for a round shape, break it into quarters.

Anchor with a Large Tray
Trays are a great way to group your pieces — and to keep things organized.

Add Your Favorite Books
Choose books that are chic and inspiring. Books that are large in scale help to anchor the composition.

Add Something Living
Add a vase of your favorite flowers or a potted plant to breathe life into your aesthetic. This creates an attractive focal point.

Incorporate Height
Add some items of differing heights to create visual dimension and balance — and to keep things interesting.

Bring in a Personal Element
A good rule of thumb is to add something that’s reflective of your personal style and tells your story. If it’s meaningful to you, it will work.
