How to Arrange Accessories on a Coffee Table

Make your choice of coffee table accessories the place to start clearing clutter. A less-is-more approach creates greater focus, peace and beauty in your home. Gain impact and a contemporary, spacious effect for your living room decor by winnowing down to fewer items. Feng shui's popularity comes partly from its attention to flow and to the use of natural elements for a harmonious atmosphere. Be selective with coffee table accents and save room for day-to day living.

Things You'll Need

• Books featuring art, photography or travel
• Coasters in natural materials
• Small sculpture or accent item (vase, basket, pottery or small plant)

Instructions

1. Choose a book and place it near the upper right corner of the table (this is the right corner as seen from someone sitting on a couch, facing the table). Leave at least 5 inches of table clear on each side of the book. For a large coffee table or a book-loving household, choose three books. These are referred to as "coffee table books" because they make such a useful accent. Magazines may be substituted for books. Replace them often.

2. Choose some coasters to go with the living room decor and to protect the table. Polished stone, marble, wood and other natural materials harmonize well with most decorating schemes.

3. Place an accessory to the left (from the viewpoint of someone seated on the couch), at least 6 inches from each edge of the table. The accessory will be near the upper corner farthest from the couch; a sculpture, handmade basket, small plant or vase will work well. With a vase, rotate fresh and dried arrangements to change the look of the room.

4. For a two-level coffee table, the books or magazines may be placed on the lower shelf. If you place the books on a lower shelf, put the sculpture, plant, or other accent item closer to the center of the tabletop.

5. Stand back and check the effect. Look at it from the entry, and then sit on the couch and see how it looks from there. Make sure the books are easy to reach so they will be enjoyed rather than on display. Changing the items each season, or more often, keeps the look fresh.

Tips & Warnings

• To decorate a coffee table used with chairs rather than a sofa, work from the viewpoint of the chair that's used the most. Also check the effect from the entry.

• Allow room for drinks to be placed on the coffee table in easy reach of the seating, without the need for anyone to reach around an accent object. Test the reach from each seat.

• Walk through the home each day and clear clutter. This simple practice maintains an appealing environment.

• In some designs, using many accessories creates a pleasant effect, such as in a country cottage or antique library.

• Silk and dried flowers make an inexpensive accent.

• If there are small children in the household or visiting, remove sculpture and anything else which might present a risk of injury.

• If there are pets in the house, check any houseplants or cut flowers and greens for toxicity.

References

• Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui by Karen Kingston
• Lowe's: Feng Shui in the Living Room