How to Separate Tables So They Don't Look So Cluttered

Choose a central table. Living rooms in particular do very well with one large table as the focal area, whether it is a low coffee table or a round ornamental table. This should be the table you intend to use the most, whether for entertaining or for storage reasons.

Couple a small table with another piece of furniture. When arranging furniture, you can create distinct units that take up less space and avoid visual clutter. By pairing a small table with a couch or a wing chair, you reduce the footprint necessary and create a less cluttered look.

Make a table secondary to what it is holding. This releases the room from the feeling of being dominated by tables. For example, cover a table with an elegant, concealing shawl, or place a plant with long leaves on a small narrow table, allowing the leaves to cover the table's top.

Choose modular tables. Buy tables that are meant to fit inside or underneath each other. This allows you to have all the tables you want while still giving you the option to stow them away when you no longer need them.

Acquire tables in different shapes. Use an oval central table and use small, square tables throughout the room. Varying the shape and even the height of the tables contributes to a room with a significantly less dense feeling.