[Guide] Placing tabletop items on furniture that won't let you
Disclaimer: I'm going to assume this is a glitch, but whatever because I should be able to put a lamp or vase whereever I damn well please.
That being said, there sure are a lot of objects with huge empty surfaces that scream for something to be put upon them, but the game tells you no. I'm going to tell you how to bypass this.
Edited for 2.3: Yes, I know Ahriman Cupboard is now flagged as a table. Surface Grid toggle adjustment.
http://i.imgur.com/mdZ1Hl2.jpg
It's simple with one requirement - you need an object that does allow stacking of roughly the same height. In my example I put an Oasis Vase "on" an Ahriman Cupboard, using a Manor Desk as an intermediary.
http://i.imgur.com/fgGSbUp.jpg
First, put the vase on the desk like normal. I have outlines turned on to visualise things better.
http://i.imgur.com/tZDGtXl.jpg
Place the desk where you want the vase to be.
http://i.imgur.com/u15rdgR.jpg
(new to 2.2) Make sure Toggle Counter Surface Placement On/Off is turned OFF. (ignore it being turned on in the older screenshots)
http://i.imgur.com/idzct91.jpg
Move the vase but do not place it. Instead, right-click to return it to its position. This breaks the connection between desk and vase.
http://i.imgur.com/dRtWiRx.jpg
As you can see, only the desk highlights now. However I can't just remove the desk because going into remove mode resets the connection.
http://i.imgur.com/k7Y60y7.jpg
Instead, place the desk away. This allows you to remove the desk and leave the vase floating in its position. You can move the target object (e.g. the cupboard) any time if necessary to fish out the intermediary object. You can also turn Surface Placement back on.