How to style a two-tier coffee table

I get frequent questions about our beautiful vintage two level coffee table (click HERE to read more about it) 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 (click HERE) with the same key furniture pieces.

My tips for decorating 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.

Coffee table decorating accessories I like to use

1. objects with height
2. fun and quirky decor pieces
3. trays
4. candles
5. boxes
6. sentimental pieces
7. plants or flowers
8. wooden pieces
9. books or magazines

The personality pieces are fun and quirky decor pieces and into that category falls my disco ball who fits perfectly on the bottom tier and will most likely stay their 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 accessories 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:

My tips for styling a coffee table

1. use the larger pieces for the bottom tier
2. groupings of three
3. use thin and tall pieces on top of the coffee table
4. use natural elements like wood and plants
5. add a little bit of coordinating color
6. sprinkle in some coziness
7. add accessories that make you smile
8. have fun and don’t overthink it

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 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.

Use natural elements like wood and plants

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.

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.

very similar sofa HERE (currently only $599) | rug HERE | calligraphy brushes HERE and HERE | throw HERE | similar pillows HERE | blue pillow HERE | similar brass pot HERE (mine is vintage from Goodwill) | disco ball HERE | fur HERE | similar mirror HERE | similar burst HERE | curtains HERE | similar coffee table HERE

I’m sorry I haven’t been writing as many blogposts lately as I used too. I’m just sill struggling to get everything done and I don’t know how some bloggers post 3-5 times a week. Oh wait! I actually do…they have assistants, employees or guest post writers which I don’t and am not planning on having any time soon.

So I hope you will stick with me while I’m posting sporadically for maybe 1 to 2 times a week. That’s all I can handle at the moment my friends.

Tschüß,