How to Style a Decorative Tray on Your Coffee Table, Centre Table & Dining Table
A good decorative tray is like a little stage for your everyday things. On a busy coffee table, a centre table in the living room or a dining table that doubles up as a work desk, a tray keeps everything together and still makes it look beautiful.
In this guide, we’ll walk through easy ways to style a decorative tray for your coffee table, centre table and dining table using pieces you already own – plus a few of our favourite rattan serving trays and mother-of-pearl trays from Aesthetic Aangan.
1. Coffee table: a decorative tray that keeps things calm
The coffee table is usually where everything lands – remotes, cups, books, candles. A coffee table decor tray helps it feel intentional instead of messy.
1. Start with the right tray
* For medium to larger sofas, a round decorative tray for coffee table works beautifully.
* If your table is narrow, choose a rectangular tray so it doesn’t eat up too much surface.
2. Build a simple 3-piece cluster
You don’t need ten objects. Try this simple formula:
* A stack of 2–3 books or a small box for height.
* A candle or small vase of flowers for softness.
* A coaster stack or small bowl for everyday things (earphones, remotes, keys).
This instantly makes your coffee table tray look styled, but everything is still easy to move when you need space.
3. Add your everyday chai/coffee setup
On regular days, your tray can hold:
* 2–4 coasters
* A small jar for biscuits or nuts
* A tiny vase or diya for a little glow in the evenings
During Diwali or special evenings, swap the jar for mithai, diyas and flowers so the same tray becomes festive.
2. Centre table: open, airy and decorative
A centre table usually has more space around it than a side table, so the tray can be slightly larger and more decorative.
1. Choose a shape that echoes your table
* Round centre table? Try a round mother-of-pearl tray in the middle.
* Rectangular centre table? Go for a square or rectangular decorative tray for centre table.
2. Keep more breathing room around the tray
Unlike the coffee table, you can leave more open surface so the tray stands out. Style it with:
* A small indoor plant or leafy stem in a simple vase
* A scented candle or cluster of 2–3 diyas
* A small bowl for potpourri or favourite shells/stones
Think of the tray as a mini landscape – a bit of greenery, a bit of light, one or two useful things.
3. Rotate by season and festival
* Everyday: plant + candle + coasters
* Festive: swap plant for a brass urli with flowers, add diyas on the tray edge
* Pooja corner: your Tree of Life tray or any mother-of-pearl tray holding incense, a diya and small idols makes a calm pooja setup on the centre table.
3. Dining table: functional tray that still looks pretty
The dining table is where you need your tray to work hard – it has to hold useful things and look good from all sides.
1. Think of it as a dining table tray centerpiece
A rectangular decorative tray for dining table works best because it sits neatly in the centre without blocking views.
Fill it with:
* Salt & pepper, oil, sauces in matching bottles or jars
* A small vase or single flower stem
* A candle for soft evening light
Now when you clear the table after meals, you can lift the entire tray in one go.
2. Everyday vs hosting mode
* Everyday: keep it simple – basic condiments + one small plant or candle.
* Hosting: add a second smaller round tray or plate with nuts, dry fruit or chocolates. When guests arrive, you can move that onto the coffee table.
3. Breakfast & tea set-up
In the mornings or for chai time:
* Use a rattan serving tray to carry cups, a napkin stack and a small snack bowl.
* Place it on the dining table as a moving station – once everyone is done, carry the whole tray back to the kitchen.
A good serving tray for snacks or tea saves you trips and keeps the table looking organised.
4. A few simple styling rules that always work
No matter which table you’re working with:
* Cluster in odd numbers: 3 or 5 objects look calmer than 4.
* Mix heights: one tall (vase/plant), one medium (candle/jar), one low (bowl/coasters).
* Leave some empty space: you don’t need to cover the entire tray.
* Repeat one material: for example, a rattan tray + rattan coasters, or a mother-of-pearl tray + pearly coaster set.
5. Trays that make styling easy
If you’d like to create a small corner of calm at home, you can explore:
* Our round decorative trays – for coffee tables, centre tables and pooja corners.
* Our square & rectangular trays – for consoles and dining table centrepieces.
* Our tabletop coasters & sets – to match your tray and protect your furniture.
A single tray and a few everyday things – that’s often all it takes to make your room feel settled, warm and quietly joyful.