Interior styling: the perfect coffee table
Katie Thomas, Design Director of KTM Design and Regional Director of the Society of British and International Design (SBID).
Interior styling is often a part of my job. Once all of the technical, structural and spatial elements are sorted, I am sometimes required to ‘dress’ or ‘stage’ the spaces that we have designed. Coffee table styling could be described as a bit of an art. Since coffee tables usually have prominent places in living rooms, it's important that they look good, but it's equally important that they function in the way they're supposed to. The display needs to be attractive without disrupting the flow of the rest of the space. Coffee table styling is easy to master as long as you remember certain guidelines:
Keep it balanced. It is crucial to find balance in your display. You don't want anything huge that will overwhelm the surface, and do you want anything too small that will get lost. Composition is key. It is not so much about the individual items you place on a table, but about the way they work together as a unit. The items should relate to each other either through colour, style, or theme. Don’t overcrowd. Leave enough room so that items can breathe, and leave space for whatever you might need. Remember functionality. Think 360. A coffee table is often placed in a central area of a room, so people can see it from all angles. Try to avoid using things that don't look good from all sides, such as picture frames. Vases, on the other hand, look good from all angles. Work with the room. Coffee table displays don't exist in isolation. They need to work with the other items in the room. Make sure they are a continuation of the rest of your room. Include one statement piece. Try to always use at least one standout piece. Just like in a room, a coffee table display can benefit from having a focal point.
For more information about how KTM Design can help you with Interior Design and Space Planning or to book your complimentary design consultation, please call Katie on 07402779973 or email katie@ktmdesign.co.uk