How to Decorate With Copper Top End Tables

Center a copper ornament on the coffee table.

The warm glow of copper offers the strong presence of the metal element to your home decorating. In Feng Shui, metal brings the luck of helpful people and brings auspicious energy into the home, according to Lillian Too, author of "Essential Feng Shui." To integrate copper top end tables into your interior decorating scheme, add accessories and other decorative elements that play off of and balance copper's warm tone. Add a strong copper ornament to create a triad with the end tables brings the room together. Working in groups of three adds balance to a home decorating theme.

Things You'll Need

• Copper vase, sculpture or bowl
• Area rug with warm colors
• Throw pillows in warm colors
• Decorative coasters in natural materials, such as marble or cork
• 1 or 2 lamps
• Plant or terrarium (optional)

Instructions

1. Arrange the copper top end tables next to the main seats in the living room, great room or home theater area. For example, set the end tables at each end of the sofa or love seat that faces a picture window, fireplace, television or movie screen. For a room with armchairs, place the end tables to the right of the two main chairs.

2. Sit next to one of the end tables and reach over to it as though reaching for a drink. Adjust the position of the table, if needed so that it's in convenient reach of the seat. Check the second end table's location from the seat next to it.

3. Add an area rug in front of the main seats. This helps to define the space. Choose a rug with warm tones to work with the copper in the end tables. Colors found in nature, such as coral, salmon, olive, violet, turquoise, deep red, dark brown and tan complement copper. A patterned rug, for example a classic Oriental rug or a contemporary geometric or striped rug, allows you to bring multiple colors into the room.

4. Create a triangle of copper by centering a copper ornament midway between the copper top end tables, either in front of the seating area or behind it. For example, center a copper vase on the mantel, add a copper bowl to the middle of the cocktail table or display a copper sculpture on a sofa table or mantel. A sofa table is a long, narrow table that fits behind the sofa.

5. Select accent pillows -- throw pillows to display on the sofa or main chairs. Choose solid colors or a subtle print in two of the colors of the room. Accent pillows offer a convenient way to tie the room's colors together. For example, if you had cream drapes before you bought the copper top end tables and you still like them, pick some accent cushions in the colors from the drapes and the new rug, such as two pillows in turquoise and cream. Add two other cushions in a warm, solid color to go with the rug, such as coral.

6. Add decorative coasters to the copper top end tables to protect the finish. Choose a simple lamp in a matte finish for one or both tables, such as a contemporary lamp in black or an Art Deco lamp in aged brass. Add a tropical plant or terrarium the same height as the lamp to the other end table, if you opt for only one lamp. This will provide visual balance between the tables and bring more life into the room. The bright flowers of tropical plants go well with copper.

Tips & Warnings

• If either you or the person who uses one of the main chairs is left-handed, place one of the end tables to the left of one of the chairs.

• Add stick-on felt from a hardware store to the base of any ornament that has a rough texture to avoid scratching the copper tables.

• Add a copper fountain to the room to combine the energy of water and metal.

• Choose accent pillows for comfort as well as decorative purposes. Supportive or cushy pillows make a seat more inviting.

References

• "Essential Feng Shui."; Lillian Too; 1999
• Time: Real Simple Magazine: Decorating with Throw Pillows

Resources

• University of Tennessee Extension: Color Wheel
• DePaul University: Color Schemes
• University of Nebraska Extension: Rug Selection