8 Ways to Decorate a Center Table
Whether placed in a grand foyer, tucked in the corner of a compact
entry or serving double duty as a reading spot and dining table, you can
count on a center table to bring a gracious note to the home. Here are
eight ways to decorate this classic piece.
1. Cluster of vases. Find
three to five vases of varied heights that go together — they don’t need
to be identical, but they often work best when they are the same
material or color (for example, all blue or all glass).
Styling tip: Place the tallest vase in the center and cluster the others around it, working from tallest to smallest; fill the vases with seasonal blooms or cut branches. For ambience, scatter a few tea lights around the vases.
Styling tip: Place the tallest vase in the center and cluster the others around it, working from tallest to smallest; fill the vases with seasonal blooms or cut branches. For ambience, scatter a few tea lights around the vases.
2. Sculpture and books.
Pick a sculpture or an object roughly as tall as half the diameter of
the table, and place it in the center. Next arrange piles of
coffee-table-size books (two or three per stack is usually enough) like
spokes of a wheel around the sculpture.
3. Vase, books and stools.
Another option is to use a large vase in the center of the table and
keep it filled with fresh flowers or cut branches. Arrange stacks of
books like spokes of a wheel around the vase, as before. Finish by
tucking a pair of stools beneath the table — quite helpful for perching
on to browse the books or put on and take off shoes.
If you would rather not have to
fuss over fresh blooms, choose a vase that also looks great empty, like
the one shown here. Then you can fill it (or not) as you please.
4. Asymmetrical arrangement. If
you plan to tuck a round table into a corner or will be walking by the
table primarily from one side, place a vase or sculpture to the back of
the table and beautiful books in front.
Creating an asymmetrical
arrangement is also a great way to make a centered table feel less
formal. Try placing a large vase off center and surround it with short
stacks of books, as shown here.
A rule of thumb for objects: two on top, one not.
If you like to add decorative objects to your stacks of books, place
objects atop two stacks of books and leave one stack free of
accessories. This look is less fussy but still balanced.
5. One massive planter. Choose
a planter that will fill up to three-quarters of the surface of your
table (measure before buying) and plant it with something gorgeous and
interesting, like bonsai, orchids or a wild tangle of plants.
Before going this route, be realistic about the amount of light your foyer receives, as well as how much time you have to commit to caring for houseplants — then get help from a local nursery to choose plants that will do well in your space.
Houzz guides to great houseplants
Before going this route, be realistic about the amount of light your foyer receives, as well as how much time you have to commit to caring for houseplants — then get help from a local nursery to choose plants that will do well in your space.
Houzz guides to great houseplants
6. Floor-length tablecloth, sculpture and books.
A floor-length tablecloth looks elegant, but even better, it can hide
storage underneath. In the foyer you could keep a few large baskets
under the table and out of sight for stashing winter mittens and
scarves, or a recycling bin.
Place a sculpture or vase in the center and surround it with interesting books. The table shown here is in a dining room, but without the chairs, it would look right at home in a foyer.
Place a sculpture or vase in the center and surround it with interesting books. The table shown here is in a dining room, but without the chairs, it would look right at home in a foyer.
Speaking of dining rooms, the
covered table is a natural choice for a formal dining room that is used
more often as a library or study than for dinner. Keep books and
interesting objects on the table most of the time, and clear them away
when you want to host.
7. Floor-length tablecloth, lamp and books.
A smaller round table also works well in the living room when topped
with a floor-length cloth, a lamp and books. And remember, that
floor-length cloth is the perfect cover for some hidden storage, making
it a smart choice for small spaces.
Cleaning tip: To easily wipe up spilled drinks, have a round glass top cut to fit your table and place it over the tablecloth.
Cleaning tip: To easily wipe up spilled drinks, have a round glass top cut to fit your table and place it over the tablecloth.
Styling tip: Choose two large pieces to fill most of the space (like the horse sculpture and potted plant shown here), and place a third, smaller item (like a candle or small tray for mail) in front.