How to style a two-tier coffee table

I get frequent questions about our beautiful vintage two level coffee table that I found for $25 in a thrift shop and how I figure out what to decorate it with. That is the reason I wanted to address how to style a two-tier coffee table in a separate blog post today.
My coffee table is pretty long and has two levels and this type of table really works well with one long sofa and one loveseat. That is usually what most people buy at furniture stores and this combination happened to fit well into our living room too. You can see it in my photos that the size is perfect and you can also check out one of my recent blog posts where I show you how I can lay out my living room in four different ways with the same key furniture pieces.

How to style a two-tier coffee table

I think some people get overwhelmed with decorating a coffee table which is the reason this topic gets addressed so much on decorating blogs and magazines. And this type of coffee table happens to have two surfaces which really stresses some people out. I see a two-tier coffee table or some call it a two level coffee table as an opportunity to showcase some of the things I love.

It really can be a great thing, you just have to make sure you don’t overstuff and clutter it. I enjoy this type of decorating and to me it is therapeutic. So please don’t take it too serious because you can always mix it up again should something feel a little off.

I aim for a collected look with a little added fun. I have been pretty happy with the way our coffee table looks which is the reason I haven’t really switched it up much.

Following are the items that I like to throw into the mix for my coffee table styling. Most of them are on every general coffee table decorating list but I like making sure that I throw in a couple of extra pieces that give the mix more personality.

The personality pieces are fun and quirky decorative objects, and into that category falls my disco ball, which fits perfectly on the bottom tier and will most likely stay there for eternity. (just kidding) Some more quirky pieces are the oversized Chinese calligraphy brushes, the wooden dice, and my horse planter.

Sentimental pieces are little trinkets and boxes I have from my mom and grandmother like the silver box in the photo but I have many many more.

Willy had to check out all the decorative items, of course. He’s always so very helpful!

Before I start I place everything I currently love on the floor (like you saw in the above photo), so I can grab  and place things into my coffee table vignette. Then I start arranging little vignettes with some key pieces in it.

So here we go…

Now I don’t throw all the above-mentioned accessories and tips on the table together. I use the coffee table accessories according to how I feel, and of course, it all depends on how much room you actually have.

Let me elaborate a little on each tip and show you how I arranged all the pieces from above to give you some coffee table decor ideas.

Use the larger pieces for the bottom tier

This is likely the most obvious tip since having the disco ball, stack of books, or large boxes on the top of the coffee table surface would obstruct your view of the room. Do mix some smaller pieces in with the larger ones on the bottom level of the coffee table.

Groupings of three

Use groupings of three with various heights throughout your coffee table decor.

But even that rule is broken occasionally and looks pretty too.

Use thin and tall pieces on top of the coffee table

To get a little bit of height on on your coffee table, I like using orchids, flower arrangements or thin long candle sticks. They are definitely not too overpowering.

I’ve really been into using both. I’m drawn too the beautiful texture that wood ads to any decor and have started to incorporate that in my coffee table styling as well.
Fresh Greenery is always a must in my book.

I switched it up a bit and added antlers and pinecones into a dough bowl for natural elements. And another time I added seashells to the dough bowl.

Add a little bit of coordinating color

Of course if you don’t like color then this won’t apply to you but I like adding a little bit of color here and there. currently my color of choice is blue mixed in with all the neutrals and black and white decor.

Sprinkle in some coziness

This is where the candles come in. Nothing feels and looks better than a beautiful candle lit on a coffee table. To me that never gets old and always looks and feels nice.

Add accessories that make you smile

Quirky and sentimental accessories both make me happy and smile. I love the little things I received from my mom and grandmother over the years and I rotate them frequently. It’s become almost like a little game.

My mom gave me the silver turtle and box and I always have them placed somewhere in my house:

Have fun and don’t overthink it

This is the most important rule to me. Don’t take any rules too serious! Play around, live with an arrangement for a while and if it feels off then start over again.

I always think about the fact that it really doesn’t matter how you decorate. There are so many more important things in this world to worry about. My coffee table decor isn’t one of them.

But I have said this so many times before on my blog, decorating keeps my mind from constantly worrying about things in my life or in this world. If it wouldn’t be for decorating, I probably would fall into occasional depressions. I like being able to focus my thoughts on things like this, especially during times when there are a lot of depressing things happening personally and on the news. It is therapeutic and maybe that can help you too.

similar sofa | rug | calligraphy brush or HERE | Happy Habitat throw available in this similar print | pillows not available anymore | brass pot is vintage from Goodwill | disco ball | fur | similar mirror | similar star burst wall decor | black and white curtains

Similar two-tier coffee tables for sale

I actually wrote an entire blog post about similar metal and glass double-tier coffee tables, which is a vintage Maison Jansen coffee table.

Here are similar ones for sale right now at retailers.