5 rules for perfect end table decor in a living room + the best items to include to make it pretty as well as functional.
A couple of weeks ago I asked a bunch of y’all on Instagram and in the Bless’er House Decorating Group what YOU needed help with and wanted to see here on the blog this year.
And I got a huge response about how to simplify decorating.
Because it definitely isn’t simple if it’s not one of those things that comes to you naturally. (I get stuck a lot too, really.)
So I’m breaking down the steps to make each little part of decorating your home as easy as it can possibly be and hopefully take out the guesswork for you.
Every week or two, I plan to focus on one area of the home and span it out into an entire series. I’m SO excited, and I hope it helps! Because I sorta geek out about this stuff.
Since I did a little living room winter refresh the other day, I thought I’d break down how to style end tables because they seem like the perfect starting point.
Because…
How do you make end tables pretty but still functional?
What is too much or too little?
How do you make them look put together and not cluttered?
I’m by no means a certified interior designer, but I’ve studied every resource I could find for YEARS, so I’m just sharing what I know. (And over holiday break, while I was visiting the NC mountains with my mom, I found these end tables that I couldn’t wait to decorate anyway so…)
How to Style End Tables:
1. Less is more
When in doubt, use only 3, 4, or 5 items on your end tables maximum.
(Did you know that 3 is the “magic decorating number”? It creates the best symmetry. Seriously, try that number of items on anything: a mantel, a dresser top, a shelf. It works. It’s not a number you have to stick to, but it helps, if you’re feeling lost when styling something.)
That number works for “groupings” as well. In the photo above, the frame sitting on top of the book stack counts as one grouping.
2. Consider what items you usually need within reach.
I usually need just a set of coasters and a table lamp as my essentials, and then the other pieces can be just pretty decor that don’t have to necessarily serve a functional purpose.
3. Incorporate an item from nature.
I like to include a potted plant or a vase with flowers to add color, texture, and “life” to what could otherwise be a flat looking vignette.
4. Use books to create height.
If you have two items on your table that are exactly the same height, raise one up so that they are staggered.
5. Create a “visual triangle”.
Whenever styling shelves or tabletops or any sort of vignette, place items into a triangle shape. The “visual triangle” is a stylist’s best secret.
Can you see it?
Some of my favorite picks of items to include on an end table:
Table Lamp
I really like the Philips Hue White bulbs. They’re not too yellow but not too stark white, and they work with Alexa and Google Assistant, if you want to make your lamps “smart”.
Coaster Set
Planter/Vase/Plant/Flowers
Picture Frame
Trinket Dish / Bowl
I like having one of these to hold small odd ‘n ends that end up on our tables like loose change, jewelry, etc.
Candle
Go with non-seasonal-specific scents so that you have the flexibility to use them year-round and don’t have to worry about storing them when out of season. Capsule decor tip. 😉
Some of my favorite end tables:
Anything else you like to add to your end tables?
We usually have extra pacifiers and naked Barbie dolls flung onto ours, but that’s only if you want your decor to look very sophisticated, of course. 😉 Ahhh… mom life.
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These are awesome tips, and things that we’re doing in our house too! I love the plants you have on your table!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
What a great post! Look forward to more tips on decorating this room in my house.
I love your end table!
Great post. Very informative. 🥰 I have question. What is the combined height of the end table and lamp shown in this post. Thank you so much!
So many great tips, thank you Lauren, excited for this series also. I have a silly question, I have an end table that is not near an outlet so I don’t have a lamp. Any suggestions on what to place there to complete the visual triangle?
Hmm, I would say something with height. You might try a couple thick pillar candlestick holders. I know not everyone has the luxury of having an outlet nearby.
I love your end tables! Could you possibly tell me where you got them from? Thank you!
Thank you! Mine came from a little local shop in the NC mountains. But I found it online here: https://rstyle.me/+6IeYDgVimmnNFh-4aS8_aw
I love that you are going to pick specific areas to style. The end table one is very helpful to me. I am so glad to see you identify the triangle. I figured that out by myself but you validating that is very helpful. I would love to see one on styling a buffet top or any long flat top. The long flat tops feel different than multiple shelves, which most people explain how to style. I look forward to seeing all of the spaces you that you will be helping us with. Thank you!
this looks so nice! but i’ll confess! my end table has 3 remote controls, a coffee table book, a pencil, a hairband, one used tissue, a clean tissue, a thermometer, a bottle of WhiteOut and a lamp! (okay, i’ve got a cold!) but doesn’t anyone else live like me??? I don’t even want to look in the cubby of my table to see what i’ve thrown in there when i know company is coming! Lauren, you are truly my inspiration!
This is great, I am SO looking forward to other decorating ideas. Would love to see some advice for entryway tables. Love your blog.
How do you have the lamps plugged in when they’re in the middle of the room?
We have one floor outlet and we have an extension cord running underneath the sofa so that both lamps can feed from that outlet.
Thank you Lauren! Everyone thinks i’m crazy that I want to add an outlet in the middle of the room when we replace the carpeting in the living room! the problem is going to be that our living room floor is concrete!
Thank you, Lauren! I appreciate your simple approach and easy explanations. Look forward to seeing more in this series!
Lauren , I love love love this new series. Thank you so much . Can’t wait to learn more.
Thanks for sharing. I’ve learned so much by following your blog and always look forward to future posts. Love the lamps. Which lamp shade did you go with? I find it challenging to choose the correct size and shape shade that will compliment the lamp. Any suggestions?
Thank you so much! Here’s the shade: https://rstyle.me/+5ux4LwrkOWZ6gaNXOUSRmQ Here are some tips for choosing lamp shades: https://www.thespruce.com/choosing-the-right-lampshade-1977201
something it took me a while to figure out. A Tray turns a couple little things into One, then you can still use the Magic Three Item idea.
I have the exact end table, what kind of coffee table do you suggest?
We have a chest coffee table and love it! If you don’t want to go that route, you could always do a round one so the shapes are similar. It all depends on the layout of your space!