How to Style a Handmade Coffee Table: From Books to Ceramics

A coffee table has many uses, but many forget how important it can be in shaping the way a space feels. When you opt for a handmade table, it already carries a story which can come alive with great styling. When done right, a handmade coffee table will feel like part of your life, not just another piece of furniture. If you're feeling stuck on how to get there, here's some inspiration.

Start with one item that anchors the look. This can be a natural wood tray, a ceramic bowl, or a low stack of books. Pro tip: A tray helps keep things tidy if you like to move items around.

Books are an easy starting point. They add height and act as little markers of your taste. Pick ones that look good closed, with a cover or spine that adds to the design. Two or three in a neat stack is usually enough (bonus points if they are books you actually want to pick up and read). 

You can swap books in and out depending on what inspires you. If you’d like ideas, browse our guide to coffee table books. It features titles that sit beautifully in minimal and modern homes.

Ceramics make a coffee table come alive. A tall vase, a shallow dish, or even a small cup can feel special when given room to breathe. The uneven glaze and hand-shaped edges of a unique piece always add interest. So go beyond target and source antique or hand-crafted items.

A tall piece works well on top of a book stack. Smaller bowls or cups can sit nearby and still feel part of the scene. These choices echo the craft of your handmade coffee table, giving the whole arrangement a sense of harmony.

Mixing textures keeps the table from feeling flat. Smooth books with a woven mat. A glossy surface beside something matte. A candle in beeswax or ceramic adds both shape and scent.

Texture is what stops the styling from looking too arranged. A little roughness beside something polished makes the space feel lived in.

Your coffee table will look more natural if your eye can move around it. Place something tall at one side, then balance it with smaller pieces nearby. This softens the layout without making it look planned.

If your coffee table is large, imagine it in halves or quarters and style each with a slightly different touch. On a small table, a single strong piece can say enough.

The most inviting coffee tables include pieces that matter to you. A shell you picked up on a walk. A framed photograph. A handmade coaster. It is these details that make your table look like home.

This doesn’t mean filling every inch. Space is important. A table that feels uncluttered gives the objects you do choose more presence.

A sprig of eucalyptus. A fern in a small pot. Even one single leaf in a slim vase. Greenery makes a surface feel lighter and more vibrant.

If you prefer something lasting, dried grasses or palm fronds work too. They link the table back to the outdoors and connect with Balè’s values of sustainable living.

Once your table is styled, take a look at the whole room. Does it fit with the sofa and rug? Does it add to the flow? Editing is what makes a setup successful. Don't be alarmed if it takes a few tries to feel right.

A handmade coffee table already speaks through its design. The aim is to let that voice be clear. Too many objects can drown it out.

As coffee tables tend to live in high-traffic areas, yours will inevitably change day to day. Books will move, mugs will be set down, and candles will burn low, but that’s kind of part of the beauty. A metaphor for life and its ever-flowing nature. However, a solid base means the table always looks welcoming, even when life rearranges it.

Styling a handmade coffee table is not about perfection. It is about creating a surface that feels personal and easy to live with. When you bring together books, ceramics, and natural textures, you get something that reflects both the maker’s craft and your own story.