Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE Decor editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.Like a painting, the best looking coffee table arrangements are geometrically pleasing. The table used as a canvas can be broken into zones or segments by using the lines of books and trays; the eye is drawn toward focal points. Height and texture create intrigue. Colors compliment each other and so do shapes. In short, there’s an art to it. And while looking to the rule of thirds is helpful (breaking a canvas into three plains and putting the subject into one that’s not at the center), so is minding the paradox of choice (too many is too many), trying to adhere to rules before adhering to space constraints, furniture types and wall colors, can work against the coffee-table artist. Because no matter what you do, how you decorate hinges on the table you've got and the room it's in. Below you’ll find 10 coffee tables that have been arranged artfully according to their constraints, to get you thinking about how best to approach your own coffee table decor. Think About Shape Trevor TondroOne of the first things to consider is whether or not the table has enough to say on its own. Tables with remarkable shapes or finishes likely want very little added to the surface. If their presence in a room is doing enough to influence a room’s decor, leave it be. Add Depth with Mirrors and LevelsDominique VorillonA mirrored surface reflects both the objects on it and the colors and shapes around it; while it might sound redundant, it’s worth noting that such a surface can be used to enhance the impact of what’s around it, like a still pond. Go Full ArtMatthew WilliamsIf the room is busy or if the table isn’t really a table but a centerpiece, let it be one with a sculptural art piece as punctuation. It will transform your room from a run-of-the-mill living room to a backdrop for high art. Go in on ShelvesLaurel & Wolf, James TabbIf you've got a glass table with multiple surfaces to fill, the trick becomes organization. Use books to create sharp, tidy lines as well as pops of color. (Be aware of eye-catching headlines that can overwhelm other elements.) Use the Table as a FrameRichard PowersThe shape of a table itself creates structure. Use the outline of its rectangle as a frame by arranging objects below it. Especially if everything around it is carefully considered, stacks won't look like clutter. Maximize (Carefully) Stephen Kent JohnsonThe line between clutter and maximalist design or intentional clutter is in fact wide and deep: the former reads as messy whereas the latter two read as layered. Think of a maximalist coffee table as a canvas with heavily layered paint. The bonus of intentional clutter is the conversations that emerge between many elements at once. Often, more is more, but the trick is noticing how colors and shapes are complimenting one another. Create Topography William AbranowiczUsing a low table with an intriguing shape, go light on the tabletop arrangement and instead use a tall vase with a taller arrangement to create a gentle topography to the center of the room. Let it be a TableHaris KenjarSometimes a coffee table just wants to be a coffee table. Consider the room’s use. If its primary function is in service to family time, actual coffee mugs or toys, get a solid table (sans corners), and leave its surface alone to gather whatever it will throughout the day. Display a CollectionJames MerrellA coffee table that doesn’t need to hold drinks, as the name implies, is a great surface to display objects that want to be viewed up close or from above. Build a collection of rocks or shells, order them accordingly. Again, the important thing here is to draw on the power of symmetry and clean lines to project intent and curation. Three Tables Instead of OneStephan JulliardParticularly for larger spaces, you might need more than one table. Nesting tables or interlocking shapes add visual intrigue while also giving you three canvases to play with. Ideally, at least one table is left for function.