A Gorgeous Coaster Is The Gift That Keeps On Giving
You may read the title of this post and laugh to yourself. I get it. I, too, once thought a coaster was just... a coaster. But that was before I discovered that it's basically a tiny tray that can be put to so many uses beyond its original intention. Bear with me.
Take one, for instance, as the base of a candle. Candles on their own can go rogue and spill wax onto your tabletop or other hardwood and metal surfaces. They also, obviously, harness tiny fires that can cause heat damage. A coaster will elevate the candle off of the surface while simultaneously elevating the look of the candle—a win-win situation if ever there was one. (I’ve also seen marble ashtrays used to support candles. It’s a good look.) Look for candles that are on the shorter and wider side here; you can help your candle stay put by melting a bit of wax from its bottom end and sticking it, upright, to the still-hot wax.
And what is a coaster if not a tiny pedestal? Everyone and their mother has all manner of succulents in her home these days, in all shapes and sizes. Consider using a coaster as a plant stand for one of your more diminutive specimens.
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And a flat leather style can simply demarcate something’s resting spot—yes, that’s right, a thing’s “resting spot.” Instead of a pencil cup, I use an old leather glasses case as a rest for my pens. A flat coaster in leather or another tactile material could make a great spot for a jar holding your makeup brushes, a small potted plant, or any decorative object with sentimental value. The round shape is also a great way to break up a table full of rectangular and square dishes and trays.
Preoccupy one of your coasters with cradling your favorite baby fern—or displaying a candle—and the others can stay strong, protecting your surfaces from certain water rings.
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