Table dressing ideas for every style, every space
When it comes to making your home feel complete, it’s often the little details that make the biggest difference. Styling your tables - whether it’s your coffee table, dining table, console or sideboard - is one of the easiest ways to add character and warmth to a room. And the best part? It doesn’t have to be complicated. A few well-chosen touches, like a rustic wicker tray to group items, a vase of fresh or dried flowers, or a candle that sets the mood, can completely change how a space feels. The right table dressing ideas bring together both style and function, helping a house feel like home.
Think about the role each table plays in your daily life. A coffee table might benefit from a layered look with books, a bud vase, and a small tray for coasters and remotes - simple but effective coffee table decor ideas that make the space feel considered. On a dining table, you’ll want table centrepieces that look beautiful but won’t get in the way at mealtimes - like a low bowl filled with fruit or a trio of candlesticks on a slim runner. And consoles or sideboards? They’re perfect spots to get creative, mixing taller pieces like a lamp or vase with framed art or a decorative bowl that catches your keys.
No matter your style - whether you love the clean, calm feel of minimalist spaces, the cosy textures of hygge, or the layered, bold look of maximalist decor - there’s a way to dress your tables that reflects your personality and complements your home.
Understand the Role of Each Table
Before you start picking out decorative pieces, it’s worth having a quick think about how you actually use each table day to day. There’s no point filling a surface with lovely things if it just means you’re forever moving them out of the way to put down your coffee, set the table for dinner, or drop your keys. Styling should work with your life, not make it harder - and the right bits can make your table feel both useful and beautiful without any extra effort.
Coffee Tables
Coffee tables are the centre of most living rooms, which means they need to look good and work hard. Our top coffee table decor ideas include using trays to anchor items, stacking books for height, and adding a pop of greenery or a candle for warmth. Don’t be afraid to play with texture - wicker, glass, ceramics, or soft linens all layer beautifully here.
Styling Tip: A rectangular tray is perfect for gathering smaller items like matches, coasters and remotes so the surface still looks neat and thoughtful.
Dining Tables
Your dining table is both a workspace and a social hub, so your styling should be flexible. Think low, movable table centrepieces that set the mood but don’t get in the way. Linen runners, natural bowls, or a group of candlesticks are timeless options. Dining table decor can also reflect the season - swap out flowers, fruit, or foliage depending on the time of year.
Styling Tip: A long board or shallow tray makes a great base for your centrepiece and allows you to move everything easily when it’s time to eat.
Sideboards and Console Tables
These are ideal spots for more decorative styling. Add height with a table lamp or tall vase, layer in personal touches like books or framed prints, and anchor the whole scene with a basket or decorative bowl. Because these tables aren’t used as actively, you can lean into bolder styling choices and express more of your personality.
Styling Tip: Think of these tables as your home’s “welcome moment” - make them a true reflection of your style.
Match Your Styling to Your Interior Look
Once you’ve thought about how you use the table, the next step is to think about how your table decor fits with the rest of the room. The best table centrepieces and table dressing ideas aren’t just about filling the space - they help tie everything together. For example, if you’re styling a console table or chest of drawers against a patterned wallpaper or a painted wall, it works really well to pick out a colour from the background in your vase, bowl or lamp, so the whole scene feels intentional.
Or if your table is a particular wood tone - like dark oak, pale mango, or rich walnut - choosing accent pieces that complement or gently contrast with that colour will make the whole look feel harmonious without trying too hard. It’s the same with dining table decor or coffee table decor ideas - matching little details like trays, candles or books to the tones and textures already in the room helps everything feel thoughtfully put together.
Whether your style is minimalist and pared-back, cosy and hygge-inspired, or full of colour and layered like maximalist decor, there are endless ways to dress your tables to reflect the look you love. Up next, we’ll explore how to style your tables to suit these three styles, with ideas you can try straight away.
Minimalist Decor
Minimalism is all about calm, uncluttered surfaces. Choose a few intentional pieces: a pale-toned bowl, a smooth ceramic candleholder, or a simple branch in a glass vase. Stick to a limited colour palette - neutrals, soft greys, or natural wood tones work beautifully.
Best for: modern, contemporary, and Scandinavian homes
Pair with: stoneware plates, linen runners, and clean-lined trays
Maximalist Decor
If you love colour, pattern, and personality, maximalist decor is your playground. Layer objects with intention - mix materials, vary heights, and don’t be afraid to clash textures. Think jewel-toned candles, printed napkins, decorative bowls, and sculptural vases.
Best for: bohemian, vintage, or eclectic homes
Pair with: mixed metals, bold patterns, textured centrepieces and layered lighting
Hygge Decor
Rooted in Danish design, hygge is all about comfort and cosiness. Table dressing here focuses on soft lighting, natural textures, and pieces that feel handmade or meaningful. Choose warm wood finishes, soft linens, and gently scented candles.
Best for: rustic, farmhouse, and country-style interiors
Pair with: wicker trays, chunky ceramics, soft woven accents, and dried flowers
Bring it All Together with Arthur Cameron
Each image in this article showcases how Arthur Cameron products can be styled to suit different rooms, surfaces, and table dressing ideas. From minimalist coffee table decor to striking maximalist dining table decor, these pieces show how easy it is to create beautiful, practical spaces with timeless, hand-crafted details. Starting with image 1 at the top of this page:
Image 1
The Petteril Terracotta Vase, Tamar Sandstone Accent Piece, and Kirkby Travertine Tealight Holder, styled on a console table for a minimalist, neutral look. These light-toned table centrepieces pair beautifully together, creating simple yet striking table dressing ideas that suit a calm, modern home.
Image 2
The distilled brown lined wicker basket styled on a chest of drawers alongside a framed picture and mirror. This rustic, farmhouse-inspired setup offers practical yet stylish table dressing ideas - perfect for storing jewellery, keys or other small essentials in an entryway or bedroom.
Images 3 & 8
Outdoor dining table decorated in a maximalist but neutral style with large, statement aluminium candleholders, Lille mango wood charger plates, and the Nîmes mango wood bowl. A stunning example of dining table decor that combines a patterned, light table cloth and lots of tableware to achieve a layered, full, formal feel without being too cluttered.
Image 4
Arthur Cameron Lille mango wood charger plate used as a decorative tray on a minimalist kitchen work surface. Paired with Arthur Cameron’s bud vases and the painted glass Ash vase, this display offers simple table centrepieces that work for flowers, stems, or as a subtle standalone feature.
Image 5
The Irthing small, medium and large terracotta pillar candleholders, paired with a black papier-mâché Crake decorative bowl in a clever two-tiered layout. This striking display stands out against the dark wood table and background, offering coffee table decor ideas that blend dark colours with a bold, layered, almost maximalist decor feel, utilising large statement pieces.
Image 6
Cosy hygge-style coffee table decor with a warm burgundy runner, Arthur Cameron Dolcoath candleholder as the centrepiece, plus an Eze mango wood serving board and Nîmes mango wood bowl for presenting snacks. A perfect balance of comfort and style for relaxed table dressing ideas.
Image 7
The Frampton mango wood lamp with light cotton shade, styled on a table runner in soft blue tones. Paired with neutral books and the Fowey marble decorative bowl, this console table display combines minimalist decor with practical accents like a bowl for jewellery or keys.
Image 9
A whitewash heart-shaped wicker tray on a rustic blue coffee table, holding a potted plant. A charming farmhouse-style piece that offers practical, vintage-inspired coffee table decor ideas for relaxed, homely spaces.
Final Thought: Style That Reflects You
Whether you're layering bold textures in a maximalist space or keeping things pared back and natural, every table in your home offers a styling opportunity. From curated trays and soft lighting to playful centrepieces and decorative accents, the right details can turn everyday surfaces into beautiful moments.
Explore Arthur Cameron’s range of timeless, hand-finished homewares today - and start telling your story, one table at a time.
