{Paloma Contreras Design | Houston: Heights | Photography by Kerry Kirk}

Coffee tables are a great canvas for displaying some of our favorite things. While they should feel layered, they should not be cluttered. Start by treating your Coffee Table as you would the room as a whole and set the foundation with larger pieces such as coffee table books and a tray. When selecting coffee table books, limit each stack to no more than three books so that it doesn’t look too busy. I like for my stacks of books to face different directions to create a more interesting look. Next, add a few objects such as decorative boxes, match strikers to complement your favorite candle, or a pretty bowl, making sure to create different levels or varying heights. Lastly, layer in a natural element such as a potted fern or a chic vase with fresh-cut flowers to complete the look. For more practical design tips, be sure to read one of my favorite coffee table books, Dream Design Live! I may be biased, but my goal in writing my first book was to provide more than just inspiring photographs, but to offer loads of tangible design advice. For a signed copy, you can order from Paloma & Co. Below, you’ll find several examples of how I have put my approach to styling coffee tables to use in various projects of mine. Regardless of the style of the house, these tips are a surefire way to ensure that your coffee table looks great.

{Paloma Contreras Design | Houston: Piney Point | Photography by Kerry Kirk}

{Paloma Contreras Design | Houston: West University | Photography by Max Burkhalter}

{Paloma Contreras Design | Houston River Oaks | Photography by Max Burkhalter}

{Paloma Contreras Design | Houston: Boulevard Oaks | Photography by Kerry Kirk}

{Paloma Contreras Design | New York: Kips Bay | Photography by Brittany Ambridge}

{Paloma Contreras Design | Southampton, NY | Photography by Max Burkhalter}

{My Own Coffee Table}

{All Photography Courtesy of Paloma Contreras Design}