Sometimes end tables are an afterthought and can feel tough to style well. Don’t worry! These simple end table decor ideas will take your end tables from “drab” to “wow” quickly and easily!
Styling a home doesn’t always come naturally. In fact, it can be a challenge even for people who are gifted at styling and decorating.
My goal is to take the mystery and frustration out of decorating and share decor tips you can use in a home you love to live in! I want you to have a home that’s beautiful and also very functional and comfortable. That’s always the goal!
Sometimes an end table is the finishing touch a room needs, kind of like my living room, where I needed something to fill the corner.
I also needed a lamp at the end of the sectional and a place to set a drink. This table is perfect for both of those needs. See? Functional and comfortable! But how do you make it look finished, pretty and cohesive with the rest of the room? Let’s take a look.
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If you’ve ever wondered how to style your end tables, this post is for you!
Are End Tables Out of Style?
Not at all! How could they ever go out of style? People will always need a place for their lamps so they can read or set down their coffee cups. (At one point I tried going without end tables, and it wasn’t pretty.)
I don’t think end tables are going out of style. The real issue is that they aren’t styled well.
Your end table needs to be part of your decor. It should extend and belong to the rest of your home. It also needs to show who you are through interesting personal touches.
Hint: you can’t just stack a few coasters on top of your end table and call it good.
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What Do You Put on End Tables?
Styling end tables takes a bit of artistry, and today’s tips will help you move your end table decor from “boring” to “stylish” more easily than you think!
Essentially, you can stick with a variation of these 5 things…
- Lamp
- Picture Frame
- Greenery or Florals
- Books
- Coasters
That’s it! Gather those items from around your home, and let’s get started with my top tips and ideas for arranging them.
Top 5 End Table Decor Ideas
These ideas will help you blend practicality and elegance, and find your own personal style for your end tables.
My biggest advice is to feel free to play around with your tables. Styling them isn’t an exact science. It’s a matter of using these tips, then stepping back and looking at what you have.
Related Post: Simple Formulas for Styling Bookshelf Decor
Tip #1: Simply Use Less
End tables aren’t large pieces of furniture. To keep them from looking cluttered, it’s important to follow the “less is more” idea.
I recommend using 3-5 items on your end tables. The “group of 3s” rule works every time!
However, don’t group more than 5 things on your end tables, or they’ll look full and cluttered no matter how well you style them.
Tip #2: Add Florals or Greenery
This can be simple greenery or even flowers, living or faux. It doesn’t really matter, but what DOES matter is the sense of life this green touch brings into the room.
I like how this table from Stone Gable made florals the focus of the end table. These pretty floral stems come straight from her garden, adding a nice pop of color as well as some height.
Tip #3: Personal Touches Are Important
This could be a framed photograph or piece of art, a meaningful book, something you made (such as a painted ceramic), or an object you picked up on a trip. This is a place to let your home tell your story. Get whimsical, or even a little out of place.
A table looks personal, inviting and intentionally styled when it has something meaningful to you on it. That piece might even become a conversation starter when people come to visit!
For example, I styled my end table with both pretty and personal touches, including a lovely framed photo of my girls.
Tip #4: Add Varied Height
Not only does a table lamp provide a nice reading light, it also adds height to your table decor. Honestly, I think my lamp is too small for my space, so I’m hoping to get a slightly larger one!
Use stacked books to add height to one item when you have two items of about the same height. This staggered look creates visual interest and a “complete” feel.
Tip #5: Embrace Symmetry
I love to decorate with symmetry, and my eye is naturally drawn to it. You really can’t go wrong with symmetry. Ways to use it include things like:
- Having a matching (or similar) end table on either side of a couch or sofa
- Displaying the same number of items on each table (they don’t need to be the exact same items on each table)
There you have it! Simple but practical tips for nailing your side table decor. Styling your end tables takes a little thought and time, but overall it’s much easier than most people make it out to be.
I hope these tips simplified the process and inspired you to decorate your end tables in a way you love to look at each day, because that’s what REALLY matters.
Favorite End Table Decor
If you need a few items to style your accent table, or even need an end table, I’ve gathered some of my favorite pieces from each category!
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End Tables
Table Lamps
Books
Frames
Greenery or Florals
Coasters
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