Hello there! If you’re coming over from Rachael’s gorgeous blog, welcome! I’m thrilled you’re here and I hope you feel inspired to decorate some tables in your home as part of this awesome table styling blog hop. So much great inspiration from a talented, chic and friendly group of bloggers.
I have spent well over a year searching for the perfect end table, and I finally found it AND bought it. This is monumental for a girl like me who spends way too much time browsing and being indecisive. The end table is a knock-off of a West Elm table that cost about three times its price.
My 2016 goal is to have a more sophisticated, grown up home filled with beautiful, quality decor that really speaks to who we are. Our style is definitely accessible glamour. I love decor with a feminine, glam flair that is still functional, livable and cozy.
Now that I have my new end table, which cost under $150, I needed to style it. I played around with a few accessories and came up with a no-fail way to decorate end tables. Seriously, if you have these five decor staples on your end table, it will look curated and styled to perfection.
ART
I love artwork, and I think a leaning piece of art on an end table looks gorgeous and packs a punch of color. My art print is from minted.com and was generously given to me as part of a $250 giveaway I am hosting with them next week. The mirrored frame is from HomeGoods. When choosing a framed art piece I’d look for something with color and of correct proportion for your lamp.
If you don’t want to splurge on art, Pinterest has thousands of links to free printables for you to take advantage of.
LAMP
I recently painted my lamp shade black and gold (tutorial here) for a high end look for my mercury glass lamp (a $20 Target clearance find). A great lamp can really make a statement, plus provide ambient lighting for Netflix marathons or late night reading. Make sure you choose one tall enough for the light to be useful.
When picking a lamp, think long-term. I opt for classic silhouettes and finishes as opposed to being trendy. You can’t go wrong with mirrored, white or black finishes. If you want a truly unique lamp, checkout your local thrift stores which may have some vintage beauties that just need a few coats of spray paint.
FLOWERS
Oh how I wish we had a place in the small town I live in that sold gorgeous flowers. My choices are limited to brightly colored Walmart carnations and daisies, that’s why I invest in high quality faux flowers for my home. I have the most luck at Pier 1 Imports (like the arrangement below) and I love these bouquets from World Market. I never pay more than about $15 for a “bouquet”, and I use them in various vases and candle holder around my home. Luxe for less!
Flowers are used in 99% of end table/nightstand/coffee table styling because they look elegant, fresh and classy. Even if all you put on a table are some flowers, it’ll look fab.
CANDLES
I have candles all over my house, and for the living room I tend to choose seasonal scents that evoke comforting, clean and happy feelings. Right now I have a eucalyptus mint candle from Bath & Body Works that helps me feel calm and relaxed as it fills the air.
If your living room is a large, vast, open space, opt for 3-wick candles for best scent potency. Also, remember to trim your wicks so your scent doesn’t go up in smoke (literally). Candles are a triple threat when it comes to decor- they fill up space, add a warm glow and make your home smell amazing.
PURPOSEFUL DECOR
Decor is meant to enhance your home, but it should sometimes help serve a purpose. I have a stack of books that I love to browse or read through when I am mindlessly watching TV, and they look beautiful when stacked and topped with a small decor object, like my gold wishbone. If you don’t have a ton of books, use magazines or a decorative box to store remotes.
I also have a small zebra tray from Francesca’s that helps corral all my jewelry and plays off the gold accents found in other decor on the table.
Other items on my end table include some gold coasters, a candle snuffer, and a thrifted ceramic bird box that holds my Apple TV remote because I always lose that sucker.
So, grab yourself framed art, lamp, flowers, candles and purposeful decor to create an end table that is both stylish AND useful.
I have blogging pals that are styling other tables around the house, so make sure to hop over and visit them for more styling tips and ideas (see links below). I’m now sending you off to Sara over at Shabby Grace Blog– she’s featuring beautiful images and ideas for styling a buffet table. xo!
Day Two Bloggers:
Monica Wants It – End Table Styling
Shabby Grace Blog – Buffet Table Styling
Vintage Romance Style – Round Coffee Table Styling
Iris Nacole – Entryway Console Table Styling
This Is Our Bliss – Mantel Top Styling
Linking up at A Stroll Thru Life
Tayler Morrell says
These are super cute ideas!
caitlin says
Beautiful styling! I love that you didn't spend $50+ on your candle 🙂 Bath & Body Works is great! XO
Shelly Culp says
I love, love, LOVE this table. I need to get myself one! I love the way you styled it. I love the lamp too.
Tiffany | Pretty Real says
Um. BEAUTIFUL! Love your style!
Shabby Grace Blog says
Monica! This is SO beautiful. The table and art work, oh. em . gee!!! It's styled perfectly! Well done!
blythe32 says
I love everything about this end table, especially how you styled it. I like the idea of a table with multiple levels, which you can use for different things. A table is definitely not complete without a candle and coasters. What a brilliant idea to put a jewelry holder on the table. I'm always taking off my jewelry in random places and worry I might lose it.
Brittany says
This is so glamorous and lovely but still very livable. I need a box like that for my remote–my husband hates when I try to actually put it away, lol. As another indecisive browser, congrats on choosing a side table! It's a great choice, and I love the styling.
Beth Ann says
This looks GREAT! So classy, the gold with the glass just looks fantastic. Great job!
Wow Di says
Nice and elegant! Love that table lamp. That was a great find! I know in our house the dog would be crashing into the table though so I tend to keep stuff out the way.
nicole says
Love it all Monica, so pretty.
Amy Jones says
I love your style I'm more of a minimalist myself but I think you have great sense of style and it looks great
Ally | The Speckled Goat Blog says
How did you know that this is exactly what I needed??!? My poor endtables have… well, nothing at the moment. The flowers idea is gold!!
Rachael Bliefnick says
Beautiful table & perfect decor item tips!! and yes, so happy to have found another black, white and gold lover!! Love your selection of books and that minted print is perfection 😉 -Rachael
Monica Benavidez says
Thanks so much, Rachael!
Deb Clem-Buckert says
I agree, it is the perfect table. I have a teenager and while she's careful with things, stuff still gets broken (probably by boys).
Monica Benavidez says
Boys will be boys, as they say. Thanks for the comment. 🙂
Heather says
This is beautiful! Someday, when my kids are a little older and stop pulling things off shelves, I will have nice things set up. But for now, we are in the child friendly section of living in our home – when nothing is within baby reach! 🙂
Monica Benavidez says
That's definitely a smart idea!
Amanda Love says
I wish I could decorate my end table like that. I have a 4yr old so I can't have anything right now that is breakable since she runs around like a crazy person at times. 🙂
Monica Benavidez says
They have so much energy, right? 🙂
Stephanie -Casa Watkins says
Absolutely gorgeous Monica! Your styling tips are always spot on. Loving how your newly painted lamp shade looks on your end table! Pinning and sharing
Monica Benavidez says
Thanks so much, Stephanie! xo.
Roxanne Ferber says
Beautiful! I love how you mixed finishes and prints. It all looks brilliant together! I have kids. My end tables used to be so pretty. lol
Monica Benavidez says
I imagine that kids do make things more challenging! 😉
OurFamilyWorld says
Those are nice decors. I love the overall look. The geometric shaped decorations are my favorites.
Monica Benavidez says
They are faves of mine, too.
Katarzyna Wójcik says
It's a gorgeous end table! I'm always concerned about cleaning the glass surfaces, but I love the look and all the decorations!
Monica Benavidez says
Glass can be a pain, but I love the look. 🙂
[email protected] says
I love your end table. I never thought that much about my end table before.
Monica Benavidez says
Thanks for stopping by!
Housewife Eclectic says
I love that geometric shape you have on the bottom shelf. It is absolutely gorgeous! I love the whole set up!
Monica Benavidez says
That's a $20 Target find. I love that store. 🙂
Amber N says
Wow, that looks really classy! I love that look!
Monica Benavidez says
Thanks, Amber!
Domicile 37 says
Great tips and pieces! I literally had to look twice, your image looks so perfect and magazine worthy.
Monica Benavidez says
That's so nice of you to say! I work so hard on my photos. 🙂
ana de jesus says
Wow your photography is so on point what camera do you use? I love the classy decor and especially the heart fixture!
Monica Benavidez says
Thanks, Ana! I work very hard at my photos and I am happy someone noticed. I use a Nikon D5000 and a 50mm lens that I've had for about 6 years now. Hope that helps!
Masshole Mommy says
Mine is filled with toys right now. With little kids in the house I can't have anything nice. Sigh.
Monica Benavidez says
Well, kids playing and having fun is definitely more important than pretty things. Enjoy those kiddos of yours! <3
marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says
Great job. Classy table and gorgeous accessories.
Monica Benavidez says
Thank you, Marty! 🙂 xo.