Start with a tray or basket
A tray is the foundation of coffee table styling. It creates boundaries and keeps the surface from feeling cluttered. In a coastal home, use textured pieces like the coastal trays or the rope-handled nautical serving trays. In a contemporary space, a sleek option like the black mirror tray or mirrored gold tray feels modern and polished. For farmhouse rooms, the wood ottoman tray or the rustic metal tray brings warmth and texture.
Layer objects
Layering gives dimension and interest. In coastal styling, stack linen-bound books on the white ceramic tray with a coral accent. Contemporary rooms look sharp with a sculptural piece styled in the black and gold tray. For farmhouse living, vintage-style books and a candle in the natural teak tray add charm and softness.
Add greenery or flowers
Every style benefits from greenery. In a coastal look, clip seagrass or palms and display them in the round coastal teak bowl tray. Contemporary rooms shine with a single branch in a minimal vase anchored by the black stone tray. For farmhouse spaces, hydrangeas or seasonal blooms inside the rectangular silver tray create a soft, welcoming focal point.
Books as a base
Books give height and personality. Coastal interiors can showcase nautical photo books in the stone coffee table tray. Contemporary spaces feel elevated with black-and-white design books paired with the brown marble tray. For farmhouse rooms, weathered vintage titles styled in the set of antique brass trays offer character and history.
Mix practical with decorative
The best trays balance beauty with function. In a coastal home, driftwood coasters and candles sit easily in the long decorative bowl. Contemporary styling might pair a remote with a sculpture in the black acrylic tray. In farmhouse style, matches and coasters grouped inside the marble coffee table tray keep things tidy and useful.
Rotate seasonally
Refresh your coffee table through the seasons. In coastal homes, shells in summer and candles in winter look effortless on the white ottoman tray. Contemporary apartments can switch greenery for metallics in the rectangular silver vanity tray. For farmhouse rooms, pumpkins, evergreens, or lavender styled in the gold metal leaf bowl keep the table fresh and seasonally relevant.
Personalization matters
Beyond the basics, trays work best when they feel personal. Add a framed photo, a small piece from your travels, or a vintage find. These personal touches make the arrangement unique and give the table a sense of your story rather than a staged look. Try adding a personal object alongside the travertine tray to combine timeless materials with something meaningful.
The design principle of layering
Layering is about mixing heights, shapes, and textures. A tall vase, a medium stack of books, and a low candle form a visual triangle that guides the eye. Use the black mirror tray or marble coffee table tray as the base and build upward with objects of varied finishes for depth and rhythm.
Scalable design with trays
Trays work like a design system. The tray is the anchor, and its contents can change easily to refresh a space. Swap in greenery during spring, candles in winter, or sculptural objects year-round. With one switch, the whole table feels updated. This makes trays a tool for scalable design—you can keep the base while adjusting the mood effortlessly.
Kelly Wearstler’s influence
Kelly Wearstler’s bold approach to interiors shows how trays can be sculptural statements in themselves. She often uses marble or brass trays layered with oversized beads or geometric accents. Her influence reminds us that trays can go beyond support pieces and become a centerpiece in their own right, bringing drama and strong form to a room.
Joanna Gaines’ approach
Joanna Gaines popularized the casual farmhouse use of trays. She often styled them with candles, greenery, jars, and seasonal accents to bring order and warmth. Her influence made trays a staple in approachable, everyday design, proving they can be both practical and cozy. Her style aligns perfectly with the wood ottoman tray or rustic metal tray, which embody the same sense of comfort and utility.
Shop Designer Trays
Pick a tray that fits your home’s style and build around it. Add books, greenery, and one or two decorative accents to complete the look. Explore the full coffee table trays collection to find the perfect base for your coastal, contemporary, or farmhouse space. Update it seasonally or whenever you want a change—your table will always feel fresh and intentional.
