Alternate Title:: The life and times of an average coffee table
Here’s my trusty coffee table. Technically, it’s a little big compared to my sofa but, lucky for me, I’m not very technical. I’ve considered getting a new to me table but, this one works so well for our family with its sturdy enough to dance on surface.
In my 15 years of wifeyness we’ve always had some kind of coffee table and I’ve always struggled with how to accessorize it.
I have lots of pretty things that I want to show off. Some are tall, some are wide, some are breakable, most are useless.
Some are fun.
Sometimes it simply flowers and dirty socks.
I have a thing for flat surfaces, I like to use them to show off my pretty things that I love. All flat surfaces in my home are subject to my daily abuse of trial and error. Constantly moving things around to see what works best.
The problem was, I always needed to USE the coffee table for actual work.
Or play.
Or my sister’s feet and the People magazine’s crossword puzzle that my husband can complete in about 12 minutes. It’s a gift.
Or every day, regular life.
And all of those photos are just from the last two months since my white slipcovers. Just think how many other beautiful, unnecessary objects I’ve displayed over the years. I’m confident I should have a world record for something.
So, I’ve finally figured out the secret to decorating my coffee table.
I leave it empty.
Yep, every morning, I clear it off. No pretty centerpiece, no bowl of fruit that we prop our cheese nips box on, no tray of prettiness. I found I was constantly moving whatever was displayed on the coffee table so that we could use it for something else. And one day, I wondered what would happen if I quieted the coffee table and just kept it that way. Yes, we still use it for putting anything we want on it, but, I haven’t ordained that space for a certain pretty. We can eat a snack there, fold clothes, work on a paper. But, when we are done, the table is just empty. It’s been so freeing in a weird way.
So, I’m not saying that if I get a bucket of hydrangeas again, I won’t put them on my coffee table, because they do make a nice photo, but, in my real life, this table will most likely be empty. Unless it’s not.
What’s on your coffee table?
I used to struggle with the same thing…so I went one step further. Removed the coffee table! Eventually we got a very large ottoman with wooden legs and casters. Sometimes I put a tray on it for drinks, but I don’t leave the tray on it b/c then I feel like I need to put something on the tray. Most of the time all that’s on it are our feet! And laundry. And action figures…
My table has nothing on it but a 3 year old watching Thomas the Train. I gave up removing him from it. I tried. But it was like paper training an elephant. So I figured if the worst thing he does is sit on a coffee table, we are ahead of the game. Right?
I recently expanded that rule to the side tables. I removed all the pretties from them. Both of them. There is just lamps there. Not cause he sits on those too. I mean, we do have SOME boundaries. Just cause I am in the less is more phase of my mid life crisis. :)
We don’t have a coffee table, but we do have an ottoman and I generally keep it clear. Sometimes the laptop ends up on it, or several magazines or books, but my husband tends to clear it off. He likes to pull it almost up to the sofa and extend as much of his legs out on it as possible. I tried putting a picture frame on an end table and he moved that too. Sigh. Pretty has to go on the walls here.
Less is more, sister! That’s why you love it :) I use to knick-knack my face off and decorate and redecorate ALL OF THE TIME! Finally, I hit a moment, a defining moment. I didn’t have a place for all of the “things” I would buy impulsively anymore — they all got put in a cabinet or a drawer. I found out that things look so much prettier when it’s what you love and it’s clean and simple. And I’m not a simple person. Or I wasn’t a simple person, rather. Ahh.
Our table is now a big chunky leather ottoman that can’t have anything on it and it’s perfect!
I’m so relieved you said that! I’m another person with no coffee table. We have a kids’ set of table and chairs, and that’s where the tea and coffee things sit when we have Bible study.
At Christmas I moved our coffee table upstairs to our office to make room in the living room for the Christmas tree. When I took the tree down, I decided the extra space for my girls to play/lounge/spill crumbs is nice. It might never come back!
Nice to see those pictures of REAL life! My coffee table is tiny, but I also keep it empty. Well, you know how that its…right now there’s the remote, a roll of paper towels and a video box. Nothing pretty. ;-)
-FringeGirl
Nothing here either! Our house is on the market and everything has been cleared off and out. At first I thought it seemed really sparse, but I’ve grown to love it. It’s quieting. And in a house with 3 cats and 4 kids-that’s a good thing.
Blank slates are good…let’s you change things up on a whim. I tend to do that with our coffee table too! I am never locked in to one thing.
For years I had the same struggle you describe but with my kitchen table. Centerpiece on, centerpiece off, centerpiece on…all day long. I, too, learned over time to just keep the darn thing empty. Best idea I ever had!
Right now. Nothing. My coffee table is sitting in the garage starring pitifully at me ev.ery.time. I go out there. Just waiting for me to finish the stripping, staining project that I started on it a lon…..little while ago. :)
Usually what’s on it, depends on the ages and stages of my children.
I have a piece of glass on my table top and decorate underneath it. Right now it’s a big slice of some pretty gift wrap. But you’re table is gorgeous – looks great empty!
I have a narrow bench-like coffee table in my family room that has drop leaf sides. It is perfect because the room is too small for a big coffee table but when I am folding laundry or, playing a game or when we put a snack or drink on there I can just put the leafs up. I usually just have a long tray with a candle and some bulky potpourri bowl filler in it. Easy enough to move if I need workspace.
I was thinking you are very brave to use those white slipcovers when I saw all the activity that goes on in there. How often do you have to wash them?
My coffee table is the same way and with two toddlers, it’s just best to keep it empty or very minimal. Anything I put there gets pushed off or becomes a toy.
Here is what is on my coffee table at this very moment.
3 Remotes
3 cardboard coasters
2 Packages of wallflower refills from Bath and Body
1 Red Mini-flashlight
1 Shoulder Buddy (It’s this little plastic and feather critter shaped thing that you can clip to the shoulder of your shirt. For what purpose? Who knows?)
1 Die Hard DVD
2 books (A Favorite of the Queen and The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane)
2 Textbooks (Theories of Deviance and ‘Why Tesol?’.)
1 3 Subject Notebook
3 Magazines (Time, Real Simple, and Interview)
And it’s almost always like this.
What would I wish was on my Coffee Table?
3 Remotes in a lovely wooden organizer
4 Art Glass Coasters (Sadly 2 of them have been broken already by the cats or my boy roommates)
It always shocks me that anyone can keep anything pretty on their coffee table. Lol.
Help, my problem is what if my coffee table gets scratched???? (I have the same coffee table as you)
Note: I LOVE your blog and I am an Interior Designer!
I agree! I finally allowed myself to just have a tray that holds some coasters and our remote controllers. As we seem to usually be watching TV and drinking something when the table is in use. And then that way there is room for our feet. Because that is what a coffee table is really for, right? A foot rest.
No coffee table for us until the kids are a little older. I’m convinced its the lack of coffee table that has kept us out of the ER for stitches so far. ; )
My coffee table currently holds a Lego Fire truck, a Lego camping site complete with tents and mini-figures roasting marshmallows over a campfire, the towels I just folded, and the first Harry Potter book, facedown and opened out just like the school librarian warned you never to do. My solution is to have a two-shelved coffee table with drawers–in a housekeeping emergency I just stuff everything into one of the drawers.
On my coffee table right now:
My husband’s feet and a clean stack of towels (usually there are random kids stuff on it too).
I have always kept it free of decorations since having kids.
Thanks for the ideas! I finally convinced my hubby to sell our hand-me-down, mismatched coffee table. Only problem now is that I cant decide exactly what I want to replace it! I’m getting tired of balancing my coffee cup on the couch with my laptop & dog!! Ha!!
You know what I love about these pictures? Your home is so BRIGHT! Full of light and color and this sense that real people live and breathe there!
girlfriend- thank you for giving me the permission and freedom to not have my coffee table decorated!! i have “struggled” with this forever….i took your advice one step further and quieted my kitchen table. no more moving stuff so the kids can color, do play-doh or have a snack. ahhhh.
Whats on our coffee table?? Feet…lol
We have two coffee tables..the one in “my” living room is loaded with decorating books and my cute decorating stuff and my coffe cup in the morning while I look at magazines. The Coffee table in the Mans’ domain {family room} is a backgammon game underneath glass but on top is a basket of channel changers, tissue paper box and a small stack of to be read magazines. I like your living room it is so inviting…
This post is just another reason why I think if I ever met you in real life I would probably try to hug you. Thank you for being real.
You can see what’s usually on mine here: http://ewbpcb.blogspot.com/2010/06/name-that-relative.html
I find that a bowl, tray, or basket of photos is something that attracts the attention of children AND adults.
However, I just this past week moved my lovely butler’s tray coffee table to the attic and replaced it with an old kitchen table with the legs shortened (and painted my favorite off-black). I want to be able to work a puzzle with my sister during the holidays and let my granddaughter and other kids pull up a chair and color. I am working on a before and after post, just haven’t been home lately. The photos are still on it, but the container has changed. :)
It looks great empty! “Practical” overrules “Pretty, But in the Way” every time! Sometimes when I see a coffee table with all sorts of things on it, I feel that it just gets in the way and can block conversation or fun. Same thing on a dining table. A lot of froo froo in the middle of where people sit makes a pretty picture but may not make for a cozy conversation. I really love that you simplified!
We have not had a coffee table since out littles came along…and witt my dd being a climber, I think it’s best to wait just a bit longer. However, I am really looking forward to the day we can get another new coffee table. I should probably be on the lookout now because I totally want one we can dance on after reading this post!
I’m actually about to post about my new coffee table…a gorgeous upholstered cocktail ottoman with nailhead trim I snagged on Craigslist for $60! I have a large seagrass tray that usually holds a few monogrammed coasters and some pretty books, but I use it as a serving tray for food a drink when we have guests over!
I really like the pitcher. It may be because a)my husband has an iced tea addiction b)my old pitcher just broke or c) I really enjoy the wasabi color pattern also. It may also be d) all of the above.
Oh and can I have your hydrangeas? I’m sure you could mail them (;
Thats my kind of coffee table!!
What a wonderful post! I just love how your family and friends circle your coffe table with love :)
This cracked me up. My first thought at the headline was – puh-leazzzz – I have a two year old little boy. I can’t keep anything on my coffee table beside cardboard books and toy cars. You had me giggling my way though your pictures. Saw that someone is reading “Eclispe” too. I’m re-reading before seeing the movie :) It’s the little things!
I am forever zhuzhing the pretties on my Diet Coke table (no coffee here). And I’ve had said table for almost 5 years, never once loving any of the umpteen groupings I’ve put there. She’s about to get nekkid. Thanks for the inspiration to do absolutely NOTHING!
Just found your blog thanks to Rhoda at Southern Hospitality. I love decorating and I am always looking for blogs about thrifty decorating.
Did you dry your hydrangeas? Just wondering. ;0) We just planted two hydrangea bushes and I cannot WAIT to have them in my house. Of course right now there are only about 4 blooms on each bush. Patience!
I’m a nothing girl too, especially now that the grandkids are living here. The days it isn’t bare, it soon becomes that way when the 11 mo old pulls everything onto the floor!
Nothing! I have a naughty dog who walks away with anything within her reach (and her reach is LONG!) There are only a couple of flat surfaces that are safe: the middle of the dining room table (she can reach the edges), the top of the pie safe and the sofa table.
Right now, a bunch of junk that doesn’t belong there is on my coffee table but when the living room is clean, the table is empty. My kids use it too much to have something pretty displayed there. I tried it for awhile a few months back but my pretties kept getting messed up so I just moved them.
I can’t explain why, but my dog loves to sleep on my coffee table. Even though the couch, or her doggie bed, is only 2 feet away. So I can’t put pretties there either. :)
I giggled when I read your post. I have a huge comfy white slipcovered sofa and a big old sturdy coffee table that I fixed up years ago — it is cut down from an old table and has that weathered look. I have yearned for a glass coffee table but always come back to this indistructible workhorse — with cats with claws sliding across the table and a messy boyfriend who spills coffee on it regularly, I think that this old faithful may never be replaed. And yes, my table is empty or shall I say devoid of intended decoration. Always has a laptop on it and a can or two of soda and newspaper and feet propped up on it.
And I forgot to mention my cat, Miss Zoey, who sprawls across the papers on my coffee table as well… she is part of the decor as well.
My so called “empty” coffee table is rarely devoid of stuff.
Your design and decorating ability is really fabulous!
I think you have great taste. I agree with the fact that coffee tables are meant to be used as family furniture a place to come together abd enjoy eachother company.
Rgs
Heath
Hello,
I absolutely love your blog and your decorating style! I was wondering if you could tell me what paint color you used on your living room wall and also your tv cabinet?
Thank you so much.
Cindy
I was checking this out to see what I should be doing with my coffee table. It is always empty (not decorated) and I thought that wasn’t o.k. Glad to hear it is. :)
I actually do not have a coffee table (or end table) in our main living area. It’s smaller & my husband & I left the area open for the kids to use for train-track building, Lego towns, & forts! :)
I actually came to this site looking for an answer. Well I got one. I removed our coffee table when my daughter was little, then later regained it. Later removed it again when we got a puppy, now have finally regained it once again. I like a place to put my feet. Right now I have a wooden box to keep remotes and a candle, and a few coasters for drinks. I think I’ll keep it simple. Maybe not as showy, but a lot more practicle.