Inside the Home of a Style-Lover: What’s Always on the Coffee Table
An intimate peek into a curated space, showcasing the books, scents, trays and little luxuries that bring a home to life.
A coffee table is more than a place to rest your glass, it’s often the heart of a living space. Thoughtfully styled, it becomes a quiet reflection of personal taste: layered with inspiration, ritual, and the details that turn a house into a home.
From elevated essentials to small indulgences, these are the pieces we’re seeing styled on the tables of fashion lovers, interior obsessives and anyone who understands the beauty of a well-edited surface.
1. A Stack of Intentional Books
Beautiful to flip through, better to live with. Coffee table books offer both form and function, grounding a space with texture and tone, while adding a sense of lived-in inspiration. A curated stack, two or three high, sets the foundation.
2. A Tray to Anchor the Space
A stylish tray instantly brings cohesion to a collection of smaller items — candles, matches, ceramics, a favourite lip balm or room spray. Choose materials that complement your space (think marble, timber, or lacquer), and let it do the visual heavy lifting by creating a sense of order and ease.
3. Scent as a Signature
Fragrance is a subtle but powerful design detail. Whether it’s a smoky candle, a fresh room spray or a grounding incense stick, scent instantly sets the tone. We’re drawn to minimalist glass vessels and understated scent profiles — soft florals, fresh citrus, or dry, woody notes.
4. A Touch of Life (or Stillness)
Fresh flowers, a single stem, or a low arrangement of dried blooms bring softness and movement to an otherwise structured surface. Alternatively, a handmade ceramic or sculptural object can create a similar moment of pause, something tactile that draws the eye and balances the layout.
At its best, a coffee table reflects both function and feeling. It’s a space to gather, to style, to rest. And it doesn’t need to be overthought, a few intentional pieces, thoughtfully arranged, will always speak louder than a surface overflowing with ‘stuff.’