A metal nest of tables is one of the hardest working pieces in a living room, yet it is often left undressed and overlooked. Many households buy a nest for its practicality and then never think of it as something to style, which is a shame, because these tables sit in full view and respond well to a little attention. Interior designers see them as an opportunity, a set of small stages that can shift the mood of a room with very little effort and no expense.<\/p>\n
The nine tips below show how to style a metal nest of tables so it looks as good as it is useful, with ideas tailored to the realities of British homes where space is tight and every piece needs to earn its keep. None of these tips require buying new furniture, only a thoughtful eye and a few accessories you may already own, so they are an easy way to lift a room.<\/p>\n
Because the tables separate, style them as individual pieces rather than a single block. The largest might hold a lamp and a book, while a smaller one carries a plant or a candle, so each surface has a clear role. This gives the set a sense of purpose and stops it looking like an afterthought pushed against the sofa. When the tables are nested together, the stepped styling reads as one considered arrangement, and when they are spread apart, each works on its own. Our metal nest of tables<\/a> are designed to work both together and apart.<\/p>\n The frame is the defining feature, so let it show. Avoid covering the metalwork with oversized objects and instead place pieces that frame rather than hide it, leaving parts of the structure visible. A gold or black frame is a design statement on its own and deserves to be seen clearly, since it is the detail that gives the piece its character. Keep the styling light enough that the lines of the frame still read from across the room, and the tables will look intentional rather than buried under clutter.<\/p>\n A finish looks most considered when it appears more than once in a room. Repeat the metal in a lamp base, a picture frame or a mirror so the nest feels part of a wider scheme rather than a single isolated note. This simple repetition pulls a room together and makes the tables feel intentional, as though they were always meant to be there. You do not need to overdo it, since two or three echoes of the finish are usually enough. Pieces from our side tables<\/a> range can help carry the theme through the room.<\/p>\n Compact tables call for restraint. One or two low objects per surface is plenty, leaving room to actually use the table for a drink or a plate. A small tray corrals a candle and a coaster neatly, which keeps the look tidy while staying practical for daily life. Tall, heavy objects can make a small table feel top heavy and unstable, so favour low, well balanced pieces. The aim is a surface that looks dressed but is still ready to be used at a moment’s notice.<\/p>\n A small plant softens the hard lines of a metal frame and brings a welcome touch of green to the room. A trailing variety can spill gently over the edge of a top, blurring the rigid geometry and adding a relaxed, natural feel. Greenery is one of the easiest ways to make a metal piece feel warmer and more lived in, and it works on any size of table. Choose a plant that suits the light the table receives, and keep the pot in a finish that complements the metal for a coordinated look.<\/p>\n When the tables sit nested, their stepped heights create natural movement. Style the tallest with the most height, perhaps a slim vase or a tall candle, and let the objects step down across the set so the eye travels smoothly from one to the next. This mirrors the form of the tables themselves and reads as a deliberate composition rather than a random scattering. Avoid placing tall objects on the lowest table, since that fights the natural step of the nest and unbalances the arrangement.<\/p>\n If your nest has a glass, marble or timber top, pick accessories that relate to it. A marble top suits soft ceramics and a few elegant objects, while a timber top welcomes natural textures such as woven baskets and clay pots. Tying the styling to the surface material gives the whole piece a settled, coherent feel and helps it sit comfortably in the room. The right pairing makes both the table and the objects on it look better. The wider nest of tables<\/a> collection offers many top options to suit your scheme.<\/p>\n Position a nest on the opposite side of a seating area to balance a coffee table, echoing its finish or styling so the two relate. This creates a sense of symmetry across the room and gives every seat easy access to a surface, which is especially useful when entertaining. The metal frame keeps the arrangement light even when several pieces are in play, so the room never feels overloaded with furniture. Compare finishes with our coffee tables<\/a> range for a coordinated look across the seating area.<\/p>\n Because the tables are small and easy to dress, they are ideal for seasonal updates. Swap a summer plant for a winter candle, or change a tray of objects as the mood shifts through the year. This low effort refresh keeps the room feeling current without any expense, and it is far easier than rearranging larger furniture. A quick change every few months is often all a space needs to feel renewed, and the nest of tables is the perfect place to start.<\/p>\n Even a lovely nest of tables can be let down by a few easy mistakes. The most frequent is overloading the tops, piling on so many objects that the tables can no longer be used and the slim frame disappears beneath the clutter. Another is choosing objects that are too tall or too heavy for the compact surfaces, which makes the arrangement feel unbalanced and even precarious. Some people style the largest table beautifully but leave the smaller ones bare, so the set looks unfinished when the tables are spread out. It is also easy to forget the frame itself, covering the very feature that gives the piece its character. Finally, ignoring the room palette and adding clashing colours can make the tables feel disconnected from the rest of the space. Each of these is simple to put right. Keep the styling low and sparing, dress every table in the set even if only lightly, let the metal show, and choose accessories in tones that already appear in the room.<\/p>\n A metal nest of tables thrives on a light, deliberate touch. Respect the frame, keep the styling low, echo the metal across the room and refresh it as the seasons turn. Treated this way, these humble tables become quiet contributors to a polished, well considered living room rather than a piece you stop noticing. With a little attention they look as good as they are useful. The beauty of styling a nest is that nothing is permanent, so you are free to try an idea, live with it for a few days and change it if it does not feel right. This low risk approach makes the tables an ideal place to practise the principles of good styling, from balancing height to working with a tight palette, before applying them to larger pieces around the home. Keep the touch light, trust your eye and let the metal frame do much of the work, and these compact tables will reward you far beyond their modest size. Explore the full collection at Furniture in Fashion<\/a>, where modern furniture across the UK is delivered free.<\/p>\n Treat each table as its own surface with one or two low objects, let the metal frame stay visible and echo the finish elsewhere in the room. Keep the styling light so the tables remain practical to use, and play with height across the set for a considered look.<\/p>\n A small plant, a candle, a slim vase or a stack of books all work well. Choose pieces that relate to the top material, such as soft ceramics on marble or natural textures on timber, and keep them low so the table stays usable.<\/p>\n Add a living element such as a trailing plant and pair the tables with natural textures nearby. Echoing the metal in warm toned accessories also softens the overall feel of the frame, helping the tables sit comfortably in a cosy room.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A metal nest of tables is one of the hardest working pieces in a living room, yet it is often left undressed and overlooked. 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Respect the metal finish<\/h3>\n
3. Echo the metal elsewhere<\/h3>\n
4. Keep the styling low and light<\/h3>\n
5. Add a living element<\/h3>\n
6. Play with height across the set<\/h3>\n
7. Match the top material to the room<\/h3>\n
8. Use them to balance a coffee table<\/h3>\n
9. Refresh the styling with the seasons<\/h3>\n
Avoiding common styling slips<\/h3>\n
Styling with confidence<\/h3>\n
Frequently asked questions<\/h3>\n
How should I style a metal nest of tables?<\/h3>\n
What looks good on top of metal tables?<\/h3>\n
How do I make metal tables feel warmer?<\/h3>\n