What Are Some Key Elements When Decorating a Cocktail Table?
When it comes to decorating a living room, I’ve learned a few things. In addition to a rug, and furniture, a cocktail table is one of the more anchoring things within a room.
Accessorizing it properly brings joy to you and all who enter. A few key elements that I like to decorate with would include a tray, lower and higher height objects, to cause visual interest, and coloring or texture that tie the whole room together.
For example, if you have a nautical-themed living room, you would probably want to add some elements on your cocktail table that complement that style.
It could be a shell or an anchor or a little stack of books with a picture on it. The bottom line is, you want your space to express who you are, your style, and your personal taste. Sometimes to achieve different heights, you can add a pedestal, books or a candle holder to elevate an object to a preferred height.
What Does it Mean to Bring Harmony to a Room?
When decorating your room, you want to bring harmony. Harmony basically means it works well together, and isn’t competing with itself.
It doesn’t bring stress from being a chaotic space. It means it feels right. It doesn’t mean everything is matchy matchy, which just means a person hasn’t added their personal touch or flavor to their own space yet. They’re letting others decide what works together for them.
Sometimes just making sure your lines aren’t all wacky jacked is a good start. Have you ever gone into a home and a couch is not centered with a window or between windows. It just doesn’t feel right.
In addition, symmetrical elements can add balance and harmony to a room.
Adding elements that compliment the style of the space, the coloring or the vibe bring an overall comfortable feel.
It’s best to not overdo it and if something really doesn’t work, to edit it out. Ask yourself if it adds value either in interest, or bringing the room together, or if it adds special memories that you want to see on a regular basis, if so, I recommend keeping it.
Why Have Odd Numbered Things?
A lot of designers like to have odd numbered things. A current trend is to use a tray to anchor their objects which makes for handy cleaning and an orderly grouping.
As I tend to almost over accessorize a room, I like to keep my cocktail table a bit more simple and functional. I like to be able to have space for guests to put their beverages down and/or kick up their feet. In doing so, I still tend to have an odd number, but with more open table space.
What’s the Wow Factor?
I am a fan of large accessories. If you have ever gone into a Z Gallerie, you know the whole store says Wow! This is not a typical store, this is more of a glam style living, big and bold type store.
I have learned a few things by shopping there and I’ve learned some techniques from their decorators. Everything doesn’t have to be expensive or new in order for it to look fabulous!
In one of my living rooms, I have combined an expensive bronze angel statement piece with a thrift store tray that I spray painted black and a couple of vases from TJ Maxx or HomeGoods.
I’ve also added some artificial foliage and cotton stems to complete my look.
In another room, I’ve kept the table relatively open but used a more natural Zen-esque vibe.
Start Clean
When beginning, you want to start with a clean surface. It’s important that you rid your cocktail table of extra papers, glasses, and general clutter.
The things that people tend to just leave sitting around on a day to day basis. This does not emulate a room that looks straight out of a magazine. By removing these things, it’s easy to keep it fresh and visitor ready.
Tying Your Space Together Visually
Tying the room into the rest of the visible space can not only bring harmony, but it can make the whole area appear more spacious and open.
Use complementary coloring on the walls and/or accessories. Accessorizing a nearby mantel, shelving, throw, lamps, or pillows will add to the pulled together look and give overall flow.
What Accessories Should I Use?
As far as individual accessories go, this is a very personal choice. It has a lot to do with what you like, how fancy or casual you are, or how much, if any, you’d like to spend.
In addition to a tray, a lot of people like to add a plant or flowers, a candle, or a little stack of books, a unique object or conversation piece.
You can always use the things you already have. Sometimes I “shop” other rooms of my house. I have decided, this room is important. It has high impact. I spend a lot of time in here and it’s one of the first rooms guests see. I want to make a good impression so I prioritize my accessories here.
In choosing my accessories, I like to add either an element of intrigue, a conversation piece, or books that a guest could browse through if they happen to be sitting for a moment.
Some coffee table books are so lovely and picturesque. They can be of a special interest or geographical area, or whatever catches your fancy. My daughter has some Gucci books on her coffee table that are bound in fabric. Quite a statement piece!
Determining My Style
Homes are built in many styles. Some are traditional, classic, colonial, modern, farmhouse, ranch, among many others. Chances are, your home has elements that reflect your taste.
Some people like to decorate true to the style of the home and others like to modernize an older home and personalize the space to their current taste.
Some people have a casual family room where they like to watch movies or play games or put together puzzles. This type of room should have a more casual approach, maybe a bowl with remotes, a candle, and some books. Additionally, there should be more space on the coffee table for play.
If you have young kids, this may be a factor in how you decorate. My kids just learned “don’t touch the pretties” or “fragile.” Which worked for me.
If you don’t have kids around, you can accessorize for fun and your personal taste instead.
If you like to keep things masculine or earthy, wood or natural elements can add to that vibe. Wicker or masculine scented candles work well here too.
If you prefer a more feminine approach, a bouquet of flowers, a tchotchke or two, a candle, or something sparkly like mercury glass might speak to you.
I tend to like antiques and things with some history, so I like to add a touch of silver or something from traveling or a historical object.
There really are so many things available it’s really just a matter of preference. I personally recommend a larger statement piece. Although, I have been known to have some of my accessories block the conversational view if my entire living room were filled with people, I still love this bold look.
I get that it is not a practical style, but to me, it looks awesome! Another area of my house is decorated with more of a Zen look. It has an Asian inspired black lacquer table with natural elements. A wooden tray with exposed bark anchors vases and a plant.
I keep this room for puzzles and things like that as well as for gift wrapping. The tray makes for easy removal and affords me a large space to work on.
Changing it Up
I believe in changing out my decor on my cocktail tables at least seasonally. I typically add some moss style bunnies for Easter, for Christmas, I add lots of lovely fresh greens and silver conical trees along with some mercury glass ornaments. For fall I like to add some chalk painted pumpkins, natural sticks, and a campfire scented candle.
I keep it more plain the remaining times of the year. Occasionally, I change out the bouquet or I add some other things that spark my mood. Sometimes it’s a candle or a special object that I want to see. Sometimes it’s something that reminds me of a person that I want to think about or keep in prayer.
Protection
A quick note on protecting your surfaces. I recommend using little felt or rubber pads so as to not scratch the surface of your table. Most things need these added. They come in a variety of colors and are available at the dollar store, home improvement center or online, among others.
In summary
Putting things together that reflect who you are, making sure that you have different sizes and textures that harmonize together, will make your room welcoming and pleasing every time you walk by. It will bring joy to your heart and soul. In addition, when your living room is company ready, it can help you relax and reduce stress. Happy decorating!
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