How to Style a Coastal Sofa Table

I am completely over spring this year! Cold, wet, and incredibly windy are the adjectives that spring to mind. Still, more and more my home has taken on a summery look.  A little here, a little there… I refuse to sit and wait for a spring that just won’t appear.  So with that in mind I decided to continue with my quest for the warmth that will finally come with summer. Although decorating will not change the temperature, it will do wonders for the warmth of my mood! So today I thought I’d show you how to style a coastal sofa table for summer.  I’m ready!

The Purpose of a Sofa Table

First of all, what exactly is the purpose of a sofa table anyways?  Well, there are several actually. A sofa table can provide extra storage for things like books or throws. It can also serve to take the focus away from the back of a sofa that is not very pretty to look at. Perhaps the most common use of a sofa table is as a room divider of sorts. In my home, it accomplishes all three.

With today’s open floor plans, family rooms and kitchens tend to flow together.  It’s great really!  I like being able to work in my kitchen and still be a part of the activity in the family room. However, with my largest wall being windows, and the opposite wall a staircase, the only place to put a sofa is between the two rooms.  It’s not very pleasing to the eye from the kitchen. Bringing in a sofa table makes it so much better.  Case in Point:

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At our house, like most of you, the family room is where we spend most of our time. The formal living room is almost never used. The lower level is set up for entertaining so it’s been quiet for over a year. But the family room is always in action. Therefore, when we replaced the furniture last year, we went for comfort. Don’t get me wrong. I love it but comfort was the main consideration. My point is, the back of any sofa is never pretty but the back view of a reclining sofa is downright ugly.

I tried to convince Ari that she should lay here all day/everyday to compensate. She’s such a pretty little girl! She cooperated for a minute or two but then happily scampered off. She’s still a puppy and her interest in any one thing is brief. So… I needed another solution.

I can only think of one. A sofa table will do the trick! Even an empty table helps. But of course… we can do better than that!

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Basic Styling Guidelines

The sky’s the limit when it comes to styling a table but there are basic design rules to follow. My summer decor tends to always have a coastal vibe so I will be concentrating my efforts there. If you’re reading this post then I’m assuming you share my love for the “beachy” look. However, it really doesn’t matter what motif you choose as long as you stick to a few basic guidelines.

• Rule #1 – Add a Little Height – If you’re viewing a table head on, height is not a big concern. Adding pretty elements here and there is often enough. But a sofa table by its very definition is hidden behind a couch. Without height, it is virtually unseen from a frontal view. What would be the point??? You can choose a symmetrical look by adding like pieces to each end such as lamps or go for a more staggered view with varying heights.
• Rule #2 – Make it Interesting – Although everyone has their own personal style, you can create a look that is interesting to all. This is accomplished using items of different shapes and sizes to draw the eye.
• Rule #3 – Keep it Neat – A sofa table is not meant to be a catch all. There is a fine line between an accent piece and an eyesore! It can, however, be extra storage if done the right way.

Going Coastal

Although I’m not one to always follow the rules,  in this case, they just make sense.  So with that in mind, I started on the top shelf by adding some height.    Using a vintage inspired lamp, a seashell printable, and a candle jar as my anchors, I can add from there.

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I am going for a more staggered look than symmetrical so it’s not necessary to have matching elements. Being visible from the backside is the ultimate goal so I will use a few books and a riser to accomplish that. It also gives me a good place to store them for the moment. I added a vase of seagrass to the back of the picture frame to enhance the look from the other side.

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To make things a little more interesting, I have also added some silver accents that automatically draws your attention. A tug boat and a silver basket of shells will work perfectly for my coastal sofa table!

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The bottom shelf of my table requires some larger pieces. A willow basket is a great place to store an extra throw, a pillow, and a lighthouse book that I love to look through. It is also an ideal spot for one of my tallest lanterns. Redecorated with seashells and nautical ropes, it is a perfect addition here.

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My coastal sofa table added some height to the otherwise dead space behind the couch. It also provided me with some much needed storage and a really pretty focal point from the kitchen!

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Most importantly, it fits in perfectly with the rest of the room. My coastal sofa table is all that I hoped for!

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Be sure to check out the Create the Look section of the blog. There are links to some items that I used in my design and several more to help you create a look of your own.

Also, don’t forget to stop by the Printable Library. The summer printables are uploaded and ready to print. Simply add your password to your favorites. As always, they are completely free to all subscribers.

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See you soon!