Most decorative and functional items in a room are quite static. They are in space, dominating their own small area, adding color or beauty, contrasting and adjusting, but not changing. Even the most interactive items, such as books and magazines, will never be more than what they are, a square of art statically standing about the space, waiting to bed read. One exception to this rule is beverage coasters.
Coasters are tiny, functional pieces that are designed to stand between stains and other decorative surfaces in a room. As such they are generally relegated to the status of support items, like ash trays and trash bins, used more for maintenance than for any real decorative purpose. However coaster sets have a variety of properties which can make them unique elements in the beauty of a space.
For one thing, coasters can be singular, or they can be plural, or they can be a veritable plethora. Depending on the size of the set, and the needs of the situation, coasters can be spread out across a room like a net, bringing their own unique look and feel to every corner of the space. They are an army of elements, waiting for you to contrast them with the various existing structures in the space.
The other interesting thing about coasters is that they have the ability to be temporary, or permanent. They are flexible in a way which few accessories can be. You can leave an array of them out as permanent pieces in the room, or you can sequester them away in a holder, waiting for guests to arrive. Then they can be sprung upon the piece, creating a theme, introducing a new color, or just adding an extra layer to the existing nature of the space.
Coasters can add a unique layer of depth to the atmosphere of a space. It is important that you are aware of their potential potency, and seek to incorporate them into the flow of a room. This is not only favorable for the decorative nature of the space; it is also a great way to add functionality to the room.
