Style Your Side Table Like An Interior Decor Pro
A stylish side table can take any room from basic to spectacular. With some thoughtful styling, these petite furnishings become focal points that impress guests and make spaces feel pulled together. Interior designers rely on decor fundamentals to create showcase-worthy side table vignettes. Now we can lift the curtain on their techniques so that anyone can elevate their tabletop game.
By following professional guidelines, it's simple to style side tables in a manner that enhances room aesthetics. Thoughtful attention to decorative items, smart organization, and cohesive finishing touches are the keys to next-level tablescapes. Keep reading as we break down the process step-by-step.
Selecting Decor Items
A bare side table is akin to an empty canvas waiting for an artist's touch. Carefully chosen accents transform plain surfaces into alluring displays. When curating your tabletop palette, opt for an intentional mix of greenery, artwork, accessories, and lighting. Each element plays a vital role in creating an overall look that sparks joy.
Incorporate Greenery
Nothing ushers in life quite like plants and flowers. A burst of green or a small floral bouquet instantly livens up side tables in bold yet natural ways. Go for low maintenance greenery like succulents or snake plants that thrive easily indoors. Display cut stems from the garden in petite vases for seasonal touches. When styling with florals, odd numbers create pleasing asymmetrical arrangements.
Curate Artwork
Incorporate visual interest into your tablescape by hanging art above your side table or placing eye-catching pieces directly on the surface. Framed photos that reflect your personal tastes make great conversation starters. Complementary prints that pull colors from surrounding room decor also tie spaces together nicely. Go for artwork in white mats and frames to keep things crisp and contemporary.
Use Accessories Purposefully
Fill empty spaces and inject personality by artfully arranging books, trays, small sculptures, and other decorative accessories atop your table. Stagger stacked novels and coffee table books for height and layer tragedy vessels and catchalls to corral everyday essentials. Mix materials like ceramic, wood, glass, and metal to blend textures. Always edit judiciously - clutter will overpower, but sparse spaces feel cold.
Include Lighting
Well-positioned lighting sets a mood while serving practical needs. Install a slim table lamp or mount sconces nearby for targeted task illumination. String lights instantly create a playful, cozy vibe. For small spaces, opt for LEDs over incandescents to reduce heat and energy use. Remember - chic lighting schemes incorporate multiple sources at varying heights for depth and dimension.
Organizing Your Tabletop
Beyond looking attractive, side tables must function as spaces to stash remote controls, car keys, snail mail and the other minutiae of daily life. An organized approach keeps tables tidy and optimizes storage real estate.
Embrace Trays
Trays instantly neaten tablescapes by corralling smaller decorative items into styled vignettes. They come in a range of shapes like rectangles and circles featuring metal, wood, woven fibers, leather and glass. Use contrasting colors from your overall palette to add appealing pops. Arrange items symmetrically or asymmetrically atop trays depending on your aesthetic.
Store Out of Sight
While we want our pretty objects front and center, clutter diminishes style. Tuck tech gadgets, charging cords and other unsightly necessities away in baskets or small drawers built into the table itself. This clears surfaces while keeping must-haves easily accessible yet out of sight.
Arrange Thoughtfully
Placement plays a pivotal role in pulling tablescapes together. Designers talk about "composing a tableau" when styling vignettes. Align items near the table's edges to frame the scene beautifully. Stack and stagger pieces to add compelling height variations. Balance negative spaces between objects to allow the eye to rest.
Tying It All Together
The final step in crafting showcase-worthy side table designs involves editing. Remaining mindful of surrounding room decor elements while personalizing with signature touches creates a polished, professional look.
Complement Room Decor
Previously discussed tips like choosing artwork and greenery allow you to pull color schemes and textures from existing furnishings. Repeating patterns, materials or shapes maintains harmony. But don't match perfectly - subtle variations add depth and dimension.
Consider Functionality
Remember, form follows function with interior design. So in the quest for beauty, ensure tables offer necessary storage real estate. Edit ruthlessly to allocate space for lamp bases or tech gadget charging stations. A quick styling trick? Place everyday carry items like keys on hooks mounted to table legs or sides.
Style for Specific Spaces
Not all side tables play the same role. Tailor vignettes based on room purpose and foot traffic flow. Foyers welcome residents home so style with things like donation boxes or decorative letter drops. Showcase mementos in living rooms. Bedrooms need space for books, glasses and devices. Editing for intent optimizes form and function.
When executed properly by playing with scale, texture, color and keeping organization top of mind, styled side tables transform interiors. Clever vignettes become focal points and conversation starters. They optimize functionality through smart storage for daily essentials. Most importantly, mindful tablescaping allows homeowners to infuse spaces with personal flair.
Follow this interior designer playbook to tablescapes that impress guests and make you smile each time you walk through the door. Soon, you'll be styling side tables like the pros!