27 Simple Ways To Decorate The Tables In Your Living Room

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Imagine this becoming your normal:

  • The tables look styled in under 10 minutes instead of collecting random clutter.
  • Clear surfaces reduce the urge to buy extra decor, saving small but steady money each month.
  • A simple setup keeps daily mess in one spot, making cleanup faster at night.

Here’s how you’ll do it…

1. Place One Large Tray In The Center Of The Coffee Table

A tray creates a visual boundary so even 3 or 4 items look organized instead of scattered.

Start This Way: Set one large tray in the center and keep every decor piece inside that space.

It will be so much easier if you use a large decorative serving tray to keep everything contained in one zone.

2. Stack 2 Or 3 Books And Add One Small Decor Piece On Top

Book stacks add height and make simple decor look layered.

Give This A Try: Stack 2 or 3 books neatly and place one small object like a candle on top.

3. Keep Only 3 Items On Smaller Side Tables

Side tables get crowded fast and start to feel busy.

The Easy Starting Point Is: Limit each small table to 3 items total and remove the extras.

4. Add A Small Plant For A Fresh Touch

Greenery softens hard table edges and warms up the space.

Here’s A Quick Way: Place one small plant toward the back corner so it does not block the surface.

5. Use Matching Coasters And Keep Them Stacked

Loose coasters make a table look messy even when clean.

Here’s What To Do: Keep coasters stacked neatly in one spot instead of spreading them around.

6. Add A Candle And Keep It Near The Back Of The Table

A candle adds warmth without filling the table.

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Instead, Try This: Place one candle toward the back edge so the front stays open for real life.

7. Leave One Section Of The Table Completely Empty

Empty space makes a table look bigger and calmer.

To Avoid Feeling Overwhelmed: Style only half the table and leave the other half clear on purpose.

8. Use A Decorative Box To Hide Remotes And Cords

Small items break the clean look quickly.

Start Small With This: Place one decorative box on the table and drop remotes inside each evening.

It will feel less stressful if you try a decorative storage box to hide daily clutter fast.

9. Choose One Color And Repeat It In 2 Table Pieces

Repeating color makes the decor feel planned.

The Easier Approach Is: Pick one accent color and use it in 2 small items on the table.

10. Add A Bowl For Keys And Small Daily Items

Keys and loose change make surfaces feel messy.

One Thing That Helps Is: Place one small bowl on the table and use it as the only drop spot.

11. Place A Small Lamp On One Side Table For Warm Light

Warm light makes the room feel cozy without extra decor.

Begin With This: Add one small lamp on a side table and keep the rest simple.

This gets easier if you use a small table lamp to add soft light without clutter.

12. Use A Neutral Table Runner To Frame The Decor

A runner adds structure and keeps items from looking random.

Consider This: Lay a neutral runner down the center and place decor on top of it.

13. Add One Tall Vase To Create Height

Different heights make tables look styled.

Here’s A Simpler First Move: Place one tall vase toward the back and keep shorter items near the front.

14. Keep Decor Balanced On Both Ends Of A Long Console

Heavy decor on one side makes the table feel uneven.

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To Make This Feel Less Heavy: Add similar height or weight on both ends of the console table.

15. Remove Extra Tiny Items That Make The Table Look Busy

Tiny pieces multiply and crowd the surface.

Here’s A Gentle Way To Start: Remove at least 2 small items and keep only the ones that matter.

16. Mix One Wood Piece With One Metal Accent

Different materials add depth without adding more stuff.

If You Want To Keep It Easy: Pair one wood decor piece with one metal accent for simple contrast.

17. Add A Folded Throw Under The Table For Texture

Texture near the table warms up the space.

Start By Doing This Instead: Fold a throw neatly and place it in a basket under the table.

18. Keep The Table Surface Mostly Clear At Night

Clear surfaces make mornings feel calmer.

The Most Doable Way Is: Reset the table before bed and remove anything not part of the decor.

19. Place A Mirror Behind A Console Table For Depth

Mirrors reflect light and make narrow spaces feel wider.

The Easy First Step Is: Hang a mirror above the console so the table feels anchored.

20. Use A Round Tray On A Square Table To Soften The Look

Mixing shapes keeps the layout interesting.

Here’s The Shortcut Version: Place a round tray in the center of a square table to break sharp lines.

21. Add One Statement Piece And Let It Stand Alone

One bold item can fill the space without clutter.

One Easy Reset Is: Remove extra decor and leave one strong piece centered on the table.

22. Keep Cords Hidden Behind Table Legs

Visible cords pull focus away from the decor.

To Make This Feel More Doable: Run cords along table legs and tuck them out of sight.

This is less annoying when you use a cord cover kit to hide wires neatly.

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23. Rotate One Decor Item Each Season

Switching one piece keeps the table fresh without full restyling.

Here’s A Small Step That Helps: Swap one decor item each season and leave everything else the same.

24. Center The Decor Instead Of Pushing It To The Edges

Items pushed to the sides can make the table feel unbalanced.

To Avoid Feeling Overwhelmed: Pull decor toward the center and keep edges clear.

25. Use Matching Storage Baskets Under The Console

Matching storage makes the whole area look intentional.

The Less Stressful Way Is: Place 2 identical baskets under the console to hide extra items.

26. Wipe The Table Clean Before Restyling It

Restyling on top of clutter never works well.

Start This Way: Clear the table completely, wipe it down, and then put back only what fits the plan.

27. Step Back And Adjust Until The Table Looks Even

Sometimes small moves make the biggest difference.

Here’s What To Do: Take 2 steps back, look at both sides, and move one item at a time until it feels balanced.


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Lily Thompson

Hey, I'm Lily! I'm a mom who's really good at two things: making life easier and sharing what works. I created ''Like Mom Said'' after one too many moments of realizing: "My mom was right about this." Turns out, a lot of that old-school wisdom still holds up... it just needs a modern spin. Think of me as your friend who's always got a tip (and coffee in hand.)