If youve ever tried to craft a stylish tableau on a coffee table, then you know just how challenging it can be to achieve the perfect mix of height, texture, and shape. As someone who produces the beautifully styled homes you see on Country Living, allow me to assist. What you might not have realized is that there is a pretty basic formula you need to follow for a perfectly styled coffee table. Its what we use in the magazine all the time, and its called the 3B Theory. RELATED:The 3B Theory is pretty simple. Every large tabletop surfacewhether its a coffee table or a console tableshould have a mix of three elements: boxes, bowls, and brass. (Some might prefer boxes, books, and brass, which works too, but we prefer bowls since they introduce another shape into the mix.) This rule of three is even backed up by science! As humans, our brains are naturally drawn to the offset symmetry that groups of three provide. Lets break down each element and chat about why it works. 1. Boxes When building your tableau, start with boxes. These effortlessly add height, so pick your most attractive option to stack high above the others. If your preferred box isnt tall enough, stack it on top of pretty coffee table books for an elevated (literally) look. And, while your box can be made of any material, antique wood boxes work especially well here.2. BowlsBowls should come next as they are typically larger than your final brass accents. If you need additional height, opt for a footed compote. Natural materials, such as faux horn, or lovely patinaed silver (not shiny!) are my favorite for this element. In a farmhouse or cottage, a basket can also stand in as the bowl.3. BrassFinally, use brass accents to complete your display. Quirky figurines or vintage candleholders are the easiest vehicle for adding that charming patina, but larger brass accentssuch as a vase or a pitcherwork just as well. Just be sure to choose a piece that is distinctly different in size from the other items in your coffee table display. Best 3B Accents To BuyBurlwood Box$47 at AmazonBrass Dog Figurine$35 at AmazonMercury Glass CompoteNow 53% Off$32 $15 at MagnoliaSet of Aged Brass Bells$119 at Pottery BarnHorn Bowl$28 at WayfairSet of Leather Boxes$55 at AmazonFOR MORE LIVING ROOM IDEAS:Anna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything youve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When shes not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.