The five things in every well-styled coffee table

A coffee table is the quiet centrepiece of a living room. It anchors the seating, sets the tone, and — when styled with intention — pulls the whole space together. After dozens of installs, I keep returning to the same five elements.

1. A tray. A tray gives the eye a frame. It corrals smaller objects, separates the styled vignette from everyday clutter (remote, coasters, the half-read magazine), and makes the table feel considered rather than busy. Choose timber, rattan, marble or brushed brass depending on the room's palette.

2. Height. Flat surfaces fall flat. Bring in something tall — a stack of two or three hardcover books, a slim vase, a sculptural candle — to lift the eye and add architecture to the arrangement.

3. Greenery. A single stem in a bud vase, a small bowl of olive branches, or a low arrangement of eucalyptus. Living elements soften hard edges and add a sense of care. Faux is fine if it's good quality; skip anything plasticky.

4. Texture. Mix at least two materials — smooth ceramic against grainy timber, brushed metal against linen-bound books. Texture is what keeps a neutral palette from reading sterile.

5. Restraint. The most common mistake is too much. Three to five pieces, grouped in odd numbers, with breathing room around them. If it feels crowded, take something away.

Style the table, then live with it for a week. Move one piece at a time until it feels right. The best coffee tables look effortless because someone took the effort.