Embrace the new coffee table trend: tray-scaping
Looking to give your living room a seasonal refresh? Not only are our coffee tables centrepieces to our lounges, for many of us they're places that we keep our treasured items and decorations. With many of us using our coffee table decorations as an easy and affordable way to show off our style, it's no wonder that coffee table decor is now becoming a leading interior design trend, with a particular focus on tray-scaping this year.
Wondering what tray-scaping is? A trend that wonderfully evolves with the seasons, tray-scaping is all about using your favourite trays and styling them with items that demonstrate your creativity, personality and creature comforts. It's also a great way to bring your coffee table to life and make it a functional space to store and show off your favourite items.
To make sure your coffee table doesn't look too cluttered, tray-scapes are an organised yet sophisticated way to display your must-have reads, favourite scented candle, ornaments, flowers and more. You can also use decorative boxes too, as an artful way to store away more practical objects such as TV remotes, chargers, bottle openers and more.
If you're feeling brave and want to experiment with your coffee table decor, the Good Housekeeping Homes team and experts including Addison Ross' Design Director Sarah Moss and John Lewis & Partners' Home Design Stylist Felicity Burton have shared their tips and tricks below on how to create a chic coffee table for this year and beyond.
Find a coffee table you love
"Coffee tables can become the centrepiece of any sitting room, especially if you make a feature out of them,' says Good Housekeeping's Homes Editor James Cunningham. "Dimensions are key, though, so always think about the size of your coffee table in relation to the sofa, armchairs and any other furniture in the room. If you're looking to buy a new one, mark the measurements out on your floor using masking tape to make sure you're happy with how much space it takes up. A circular design can be effective in rooms with less square footage, as curved edges will take up less space than rectangular ones."
Work out the function of your coffee table
Good Housekeeping's Homes Writer Christina Geggus says: "Coffee tables aren't just places we should fill with clutter! If filled with personalised items, they will soon become master pieces in your home. So it's key to work out how you plan to use your coffee table. Is it place where you like to read and lay out all your favourite books? Or is it an area where you enjoy entertaining when guests are round? The choices are simply endless."
Match your coffee table décor to the colour scheme
There's nothing better than a beautiful living room says our Homes Editor James. He says: "If you're looking to create a co-ordinated scheme, accessorise your tabletop with pieces that are in the same shades as other elements in your room. A simple monochrome palette can be made all the more interesting by mixing textures - handcrafted stoneware, recycled glass vases and metallic trinkets will add a layer of interest in even the most pared-back of spaces."
Add flowers to your coffee table
Brand Director for Addison Ross, Sarah Ross reveals that flowers are a key component when designing your coffee table. She said: "For a sophisticated coffee table, layering and elevation is key. You’ll want to make sure you have different heights on your setting to make the centre of your room feels visually engaging and glamorous. Therefore, to really elevate the space, use a low jug or a vase of flowers in the centre of your table, as this will add height and seasonal freshness to your setting."
Add a candle to your coffee table
Homes Writer Christina says: "There's no better feeling than lighting a scented candle at the end of the day. If your coffee table is a place to relax and kick back, opt for heavier notes that linger in a room for longer, for examples notes including patchouli, ambers and woods. My favourite candle to relax is Neom's Happiness candle."
Buy the Neom Organics Happiness Candle HERE
Find a gorgeous tray
Seeing as John Lewis confirmed that the search for trays is up 52% from last year, as more of us are now looking for ways to update our coffee tables each season. Sarah Ross from Addison Ross says: "The trick to styling a chic coffee table is to use larger objects like a tray, rather than smaller accessories that can get lost. That’s why using a large tray or book in the corners creates a great base on which to build on. Then, to create depth and sculpture, adding a few bowls will really ground the whole table whilst adding texture."
Buy Addison Ross' Chambray Blue Small Round Scallop Tray HERE
Try tray-scaping
John Lewis & Partners' home design stylist Felicity Burton says: "If you're looking for a quick and easy way to update your living room, give tray-scaping a go. Grabbing a statement tray and gathering some of your most cherished possessions is a simple way to bring a fresh new look to your coffee table. A few simple 'rules' to follow when styling your tray: stick to odd numbers with your treasures, three always looks better than two and mix up the heights for added visual appeal. Try tall candles, stacked books and trinket dishes."
Shop John Lewis' Scalloped Edge Tray HERE
Create a theme to your trayscape
If you want to go the extra mile with your tray-scaping, try to give your tray a tonal theme or specific purpose. GH Homes Writer says: "I love the idea of your coffee table decor having a theme, particularly your tray-scapes. This gorgeous after-hours drinks tray will add a luxurious feel to your tablescape and is the perfect way to show off and enjoy your favourite glassware."
Find our favourite affordable ridged gin glasses HERE
Decorate your coffee table seasonally
What's so wonderful about designing your coffee table is that it can easily evolve throughout the different season. Our Homes Editor James says: "It could be as simple as changing your centrepiece. A vase bursting with tulips will be a springtime focal point while an oversized clam shell (we're fans of the decorative one at Rockett St George), bursting with lemons, will transport your coffee table to sunnier climes come summer. In autumn, why not go for a pumpkin or two? At Christmas, a statement bowl full of glittering baubles will set a celebratory tone."
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