10 Designer Tricks to a Perfectly-Styled Coffee Table

"I like a balance of books and objects on my two-tone metal table. A coffee table needs to be pretty, but it should also say a little something about you." —Barrie Benson

"The weathered, chipped surface of my Indonesian table means I can really use it without ever worrying about damage. And I love its informality among the Pierre Frey and Bennison fabrics in my living room." —Schuyler Samperton

"I'm crazy about coffee tables that are a combination of bamboo or rattan and lacquer. The texture is wonderful — dressy yet friendly — and the design works in almost any setting." —Libby Cameron

"This bird-shape table by François-Xavier Lalanne is one of my most favorite things! His wings fold down, and he's got a berry in his mouth, which to me symbolizes abundance and well-being. And those feet!" —John Oetgen

"The hammered-brass design, by my friend Alison Spear, adds texture and a touch of gilt glamour to my living room. It's handsome, sculptural, and functional — a nod to Jean-Michel Frank—and the perfect perch for cherished objects." —Todd Klein

"A coffee table shouldn't be too low or too high — somewhere from 16½ to 19½ inches feels right to me. I like to move things around on the tabletop, but I always have a small bowl of treats!" —Kristen Buckingham

"I don't have many vices, but the top of my table will tell you that I'm addicted to books and fresh flowers. I find rectangular, taller coffee tables to be more comfortable than their low-slung counterparts." —Paloma Contreras

"I designed this glass-and-brass piece out of a desperate need for chic storage for my ever-growing book collection. It's solid, but it looks light. And j'adore that lower shelf!" —Madeline Stuart

"I rearrange the items on this mirrored table daily, except for the book, Helmut Newton's Sumo, which came with the Lucite base — it's only moved for dusting. The feathers are the last remnants of an over-the-top floral arrangement." —Scott Salvator