There are a number of factors that come together to create happy and comfortable rooms: some golden rules, the dos and don’ts, the steer clears, and the why nots!

Too many small pieces of furniture in a small room crowd the space. Similarly, when styling your horizontal surfaces coffee and side tables, mantels, ledges and consoles – too many small items look like a bunch of tiny things scattered randomly.

The contrasts of scale and size are as important as mixing complementary colours and textures; try to contrast a shiny and smooth surface with a roughly finished or patina surface.

Coffee tables are a visually important piece of furniture. They can be quite large, round or rectangular; a pair of square tables can take the place of a larger table.

Avoid placing coffee tables on rugs that are too small, where the rug looks like a neat little border around the table. Your floor rug should zone your sofa group, including armchairs, ottomans and other occasional furniture placed on them.

Allowing space for your coffee mug or cup of tea, use your coffee table to display pieces which are important to you, referencing your experiences and memories collected over time.

When I start to style a coffee table, I start with a small pile of books to give height; another stack further away will give another level and a different height. Use a couple of your favourite books or find books with a similar theme or subject matter. Or use several books with the same colour spines and cover, then use that colour in your flowers or other decorative objects. Consider including something organic: perhaps a vase of flowers or a living plant.

I have a leather tray which is slightly off centre which corrals the remote controls, also a selection of magazines and a potted orchid, given as a recent birthday gift. It also holds an oriental figurine we purchased on our honeymoon several years ago.

Your home should reflect who you are, your experiences expressed as little stories in vignettes on display throughout your home – but they shouldn’t be static. Try moving things around occasionally, which can give a whole new exposure and life to your favourite objects!

Published in the November 2022 Issue of The Trentham Trumpet