Coffee Table Decorating Using the 4 Square Method
It’s that time of year when there seems to be a transition period between winter and spring, and nothing in the décor department seems to fit. The house isn’t ready for apple blossoms or forsythia branches yet so an easy coffee table vignette will carry over until signs of spring are in the air.
If you’re like me, not a designer, yet like your place to look somewhat put together, this 4 square method of decorating is for you. It’s a no brainer and anyone can get a designer look by following these simple rules.
Here’s what I do:
- Divide the surface into four equal sections. Just visually do this or if it works better for you go ahead and use something to divide it off, maybe something as simple as string.
- Height: if you’re shopping your home or a store you will want one piece to be your height, it needs to be taller than any other décor item you’ll be incorporating.
- Dimension: gather items with similar shape, and color family, in several sizes. You can add or take away until you like the look.
- Texture: add interest by making each item have a unique texture that makes it noticeable and doesn’t blend in with the background pieces or other pieces around it.
- Natural Element: add a natural element; either faux or real but you want something that brings life to the vignette. It can be flowers, plants, pinecones, or sticks, just anything that says “life”.
Now start layering, there’s no wrong way to do this. Grab some books if you need things to be a little taller, or add a tray to bring it all together. Make sure you have something in each of the four squares adding the taller items to the back and the shorter in the front. Before you know it you will have the hang of it and a beautiful vignette will come together.
How easy is that? And this method can be used no matter what shape table you have, it works every time.
- Tip: odd numbers of items are visually more appealing than even, so keep that in mind while you design. Add things, step back, take a look and when you like what you see stick with it.
- Tip: show the pages of books rather than the spine if you like a less cluttered look. Sometimes the writing on the spine grabs your attention rather than the vignette, and that’s not what you’re trying to achieve.
Stop back by on Sunday and I’ll show you how I made the succulent planter I have on the stack of books.
Sharing at: Seeking Lavender Lane
Those are great tips, Dawn, but I’d have to add this: Put it all on the cutest little yellow coffee table in the world!
Aw thanks Jane, Im still loving that yellow color 🙂
The green colors are so great, and they add a pop of fun to the room as well. Wen cold weather people gotta love that!
Diane, it’s like a blizzard here today. Im ready for some warmer temps.
Love this post, Dawn. Thanks so much.
Thanks for stopping by Mary hope you have a wonderful weekend:)
Love the coffee table vignette….yes, this is such a difficult time to plan a seasonal decor when we are in-between winter and spring, but you nailed that vignette!…Just beautiful…I really need to gather some great succulents…love the one you created in that copper tube pan…
Shirley buy the fakes they look real and you don’t have to worry about caring for them.
That’s a simple, smart method to decorate your table. And I love the succulents in the copper bowl. Beautiful!
Rebecca, Im a succulent lover; their shapes and uniqueness make them so attractive to me and yes love that I made great use out of the thrifted pan.