7 Ways to Style a Pedestal in a UK Living Room

Turning a simple column into a feature

A pedestal on its own is just a stand. Styled with a little thought, it becomes one of the most characterful features in a living room, adding height, balance and a sense of curation. Because a pedestal takes up so little floor space, it is a clever choice for British homes where room is tight but personality still matters. The seven ways below show how to style a pedestal so it earns its place rather than sitting empty.

Each approach suits a different room and mood, from formal symmetry to relaxed greenery. As you read, our pedestals collection shows the heights and finishes that work for each idea.

1. Top it with a trailing plant

Greenery is one of the easiest and most rewarding things to place on a pedestal. A trailing plant such as ivy, a string of hearts or a pothos spills over the edge and softens the straight line of the column. Raising the plant also gives the foliage room to cascade, which it cannot do on a low table. The result is a living feature that brings freshness to a corner.

Choose a pot that suits the top of the pedestal in scale and tone, and position the stand where the plant will get enough light. This is a simple way to add a natural, relaxed note to a room.

2. Display a single sculpture

A pedestal is the traditional home for a sculpture, and for good reason. Lifting a single piece to eye level gives it importance and turns it into a quiet focal point. The key is restraint. One well chosen object on a calm pedestal reads as considered, whereas a cluttered top loses the effect entirely.

Keep the area around the pedestal simple so the sculpture holds attention. This approach suits anyone with a treasured object they want to celebrate, and it gives a room a curated, gallery like feel.

3. Raise a striking vase

A beautiful vase gains real presence when raised on a pedestal. Whether it holds dried pampas, a few branches or fresh flowers, the elevated position turns it into a feature rather than an object lost on a low surface. Match the scale of the vase to the column so the two feel balanced. To find a shape that suits the top, our vases range offers plenty of options.

This pairing works well in a corner or beside a sofa, where the height adds interest. Vary the contents of the vase through the seasons to keep the display feeling current.

4. Create a pair for symmetry

Two matching pedestals, styled identically, bring order and a sense of occasion to a room. Placed either side of a fireplace, a window or a unit, they frame the space and create a composed, formal look. Top each with a matching plant or vase so the eye reads them as a deliberate pair. This suits period homes and elegant schemes where symmetry feels right.

Symmetry has a calming effect, so this is a good choice for a restful living room. Keep both displays as close to identical as possible, since the appeal lies in the repetition.

5. Build a relaxed group of different heights

For a more contemporary feel, gather two or three pedestals of varying heights into a loose group. Top each with a different object, such as a plant, a vase and a sculpture, keeping them within a shared palette so the cluster feels connected. The staggered heights create rhythm and a relaxed, current look.

This works well in a larger living room or an open plan space where a group can hold its own. The variety keeps the arrangement lively without feeling random.

6. Pair a pedestal with a mirror

Placing a styled pedestal near a mirror adds light and depth to a corner. The mirror reflects the plant, vase or sculpture on top, doubling its presence and bouncing daylight around the room. This is a clever way to make a small space feel larger and brighter. Position the pedestal so the reflection shows the object at its best.

For this kind of arrangement, our decorative mirrors range pairs naturally with a pedestal display. Together they create a considered vignette in an otherwise empty corner.

7. Use it as a slim side surface

Some pedestals have a broader top that can work as a small practical surface. Placed beside an armchair or sofa, this kind of pedestal holds a lamp, a book or a cup while keeping its raised, sculptural look. It blends the function of a side table with the display quality of a pedestal, which is ideal for small rooms where every surface counts.

Choose a height roughly level with the arm of the seat beside it so the surface is easy to reach. This practical idea lets a pedestal earn its place twice over.

Choosing the right object for the top

The object you choose sets the mood of the whole piece. Greenery brings a fresh, relaxed feel, a sculpture adds a curated and refined note, and a vase introduces natural shape and seasonal colour. Whatever you select, keep it in proportion to the column and avoid crowding the top. A single, well chosen object almost always looks better than several competing ones.

Refreshing a pedestal through the year

One of the joys of styling a pedestal is how easily the display can change. Because the column stays put, all you need to do is swap the object on top to give the room a fresh feel. In spring you might raise a pot of fresh greenery, switching to a vase of garden flowers in summer. As the year turns, dried stems, branches or a seasonal sculpture keep the display in step with the months outside. This small change refreshes a corner without any cost or effort beyond a moment of rearranging.

It is worth keeping a couple of suitable objects on hand so you can rotate them as the mood takes you. A favourite vase, a trailing plant and a sculptural piece give you enough variety to keep the pedestal feeling current through the seasons. This flexibility is part of what makes a pedestal such a rewarding piece to own. Rather than a fixed fixture, it becomes a small stage you can restyle whenever the room needs lifting, which keeps your living space feeling cared for and considered all year round.

Common pedestal styling mistakes

A few easy mistakes can leave a pedestal looking less considered than it should. The most common is crowding the top with several objects, which loses the clean, sculptural quality that makes a pedestal appealing. A single, well chosen piece almost always looks better than a cluster competing for attention. Another frequent error is a mismatch in scale, where a tiny object floats on a wide top or a large piece overwhelms a slim column. Taking a moment to test the combination before settling on it avoids this.

Placement mistakes matter too. A pedestal squeezed against other furniture has no room to be appreciated, while one left in a walkway is easily knocked. Leaving the base bare can make a tall column look like a lonely stick, so a small grounding object nearby often helps. Finally, choosing a finish that clashes with the rest of the room makes the pedestal feel like an afterthought rather than a planned part of the scheme. Keeping these points in mind as you style means your pedestal will look deliberate and at home, adding the height and balance it is so good at bringing to a living room.

Finishing the look

Styling a pedestal is about giving a simple column a clear purpose, whether that is lifting a plant, presenting a sculpture or framing a corner with a mirror. With a little thought, this space saving piece adds height, balance and personality to a living room. Explore heights, finishes and styles across our living room furniture range, with a wide selection and free UK delivery. When you are ready to refresh your space, shop modern furniture with us at Furniture in Fashion.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best plant for a pedestal? Trailing plants such as ivy, pothos or a string of hearts work beautifully because the foliage cascades over the edge. Raising them gives the plant room to spill that it would not have on a low table.

How do I style a pedestal without it looking bare? Choose a single object in proportion to the column, such as a plant, sculpture or vase, and keep the area around it calm. One well chosen piece reads as considered rather than empty.

Can I use a pedestal as a side table? Yes, if it has a broad enough top. Placed beside a chair at roughly arm height, it can hold a lamp, book or cup while keeping its raised, sculptural look.

Should I use one pedestal or a pair? A pair creates symmetry and suits formal rooms either side of a fireplace or window. A single pedestal or a relaxed group of varied heights gives a more modern, informal feel.

How does a mirror help a pedestal display? A mirror placed nearby reflects the object on top, doubling its presence and bouncing light around the room. This is a useful way to make a small or dark corner feel brighter.