Strategies for Decorating Coffee Tables

Symmetry has its place on a formal mantle or bookshelf arrangement, but coffee tables lend themselves to casual, asymmetrical groupings. And for those, designers say, odd numbers are the way to go. "Using odd numbers of accessories in a group just looks better," says designer Nancy Barsotti.

Author and home emporium owner Mary Carol Garrity's favorite coffee table trio: a short stack of leather-bound books, a vintage magnifying glass and a small metal urn.