4 Accessories That Make a Pro Stylist's Coffee Table Photo Ready | domino

By Lydia Geisel

Published on Oct 26, 2024 1:45 AM EDT

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There are hundreds of different-looking coffee tables out there, but almost all of them get topped with the same stuff: a book (or two), a candle, a vase filled with fresh flowers, and, occasionally, a purely decorative chain link. But what if we treated this piece of furniture not just as empty space that needs filling up, but as a backdrop for some of our most treasured items? That’s how professional interior stylists approach it, at least. Ahead, we asked five experts to share their favorite thing on their coffee table right now.

An antique ceramic tea bowl I found in Tokyo. It’s the most simple and beautiful form and reminds me of a special trip to Japan last year. —Brittany Albert

I have a set of catchall valet trays from Etsy that keep my coffee table organized, layered, and stylish. They’re made of molded Italian leather in the U.S. and are absolutely affordable. There are lots of different color options—my coffee table thanks me every day. —Scott Horne

I love a beautiful box on a coffee table (think: marquetry, old wood, or other materials that improve as they age like silver and brass). You can always add a pop of color, like a deep red lacquer box. They work well paired with books and other beautiful small objects, plus they can also hide remote controls, coasters, and those things you need but don’t want to look at! —Mariana Marcki

My favorite accessory on my coffee table right now is a rust red mineral stone I found on a hike in upstate New York. I love the idea of bringing found objects into a space, especially when it’s something from nature. It sits on top of some books. —Pablo Olguin

Because I have a toddler, I don’t have a lot of accessories on my coffee table at the moment, but I remember styling Tish Cyrus’s coffee table for her Domino feature, and I used some rocks she had collected on the beach and saved with her daughter, Miley, and thought it was so sweet and sentimental. —Merisa Libbey

Home Editor

Lydia Geisel has been on the editorial team at Domino since 2017. Today, she writes and edits home and renovation stories, including house tours, before and afters, and DIYs, and leads our design news coverage. She lives in New York City.

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