Looking to upgrade your coffee table, but not sure where to start? Designer Arren Williams is sharing his DIY guide to create a stunning display.

Step 1: 

Clean off the surface, and place your regular bits and bobs off to the side so that you can assess how you want your “tablescape” to look, and to make it useful in the long term.

Click here for my coffee table recommendation.

Step 2: 

Break down the surface into separate zones using trays or flat platters. Doing this makes building the tablescape easier, as it keeps everything contained. Two to three trays should do it, and keeping them neutral works best.

Step 3: 

Start to build your zones, ensuring each has a playful mix of heights and materials, yet all still hang together from a design perspective. That means coming up with a colour palette, or design style, to keep you on track. I’m going with a monochromatic look. I’m going with a large vase, followed by a series of secondary objects in my largest tray. Zig-zag the ascending height of these pieces to make them sing.

Step 4: 

Using a similar process, build out the other zones. I love scented candles, so I like to corral them onto one tray to make a statement, and I use decorative boxes to hold remote controls.

Step 5: 

Add something odd! Seriously. We’re looking for personality, here. Anything that means something to you and is a conversation piece.

Step 6: 

Add in something BIG to make your setup sing! A branch of budding blossoms or a big tropical leaf.

Click here for my rug recommendation.