Coffee Table Decor Ideas That Add Interest + Style

A list of coffee table decor ideas that you can mix and match to get your own signature look, and to inject a breath of fresh air into your space!

Coffee tables come in all sizes and many shapes. Whether it’s a hard surface, or something soft like a large ottoman, styling your coffee table should be fun, and it should reflect your own personal taste. A coffee table placed in front of a sofa is the centerpiece of any living room, so it’s the perfect place to display your favorite things. Find below a list of suggestions to get your creative juices flowing, and then some easy ways to incorporate your ideas into your home’s decor.

Before we go any further, I want to remind you that what follows is simply a collection of ideas. There is absolutely no right or wrong way to style your coffee table. Follow your instincts. Showcase accents that speak to you, items that reflect your family’s interests, and most importantly, treasures that reflect your own personal style.

I love neutral decor, so that’s what I generally use on our round coffee table…with, of course, touches of blue. If you have a bright and bold color scheme, definitely incorporate that into your coffee table decor. What you are going for is this: when someone walks into the room, they should be able to figure out your style and color palette just by looking at your coffee table!

How can I decorate a coffee table?

Any of these items, or a combination of, can be used as the focal point of your coffee table.

• Bouquet of fresh flowers
• Baskets
• Trays
• Bowls
• Pots & urns
• Lanterns
• Candles + Candleholders
• Faux flowers or greenery
• Stack of books
• Designer storage boxes (to hide clutter like coasters, remote controls, etc.)
• Cake plate with pedestal
• Sculptures
• Planters with faux or real plants
• Dough bowl
• Wood bead garland

Layer with Trays

The versatility of trays is amazing, and they make coffee table styling so easy. There is no hard and fast rule in regards to what size or shape should be used. It’s fine to use a round tray on a round table…and it’s equally OK to use a square or rectangular tray. 

Trays are your most important layering tool. Begin by placing a tray on your coffee table. Whatever you add next will take on a cohesive and stylish vibe because the tray gathers everything together. Stack items on one another, and make sure to vary the heights.

Beautiful Coffee Table Books

Coffee tables and books go hand-in-hand. There have been a few times in my life when I bought a book simply because I liked the cover. Books with beautiful covers bring personality and uniqueness to a coffee table…so gather your prettiest books, or ones that have a special meaning, and start stacking. Gardening books, decor books, or books about flowers, are perfect for this!

Lovely Lanterns

Think outside the box when it comes to lanterns. Of course candles are wonderful, but a candle isn’t the only thing that looks good in a lantern. A small nest filled with eggs, a pot with fresh or faux greenery, moss balls in varied sizes, scented potpourri, pine cones, or yarn balls are just a few suggestions for ways to add interest to a lantern. See how to make the cute Mod Podge terra cotta pot {HERE.}

When it comes to layering, baskets do the same thing as bowls, but their super power is adding texture. If you have a dark coffee table, consider using a light colored basket for contrast. Layer unexpected things, and try to include something tall.

Fresh + Faux Natural Elements

The best way to take your coffee table decor to the next level is to include any kind of fresh or faux natural elements in a lovely vessel. My first choice is always fresh flowers, but I also love to use faux flowers and greenery or a combination of both. Something green, whether fresh or faux, adds life to your coffee table decor that can’t be obtained in any other way.

Natural elements are also a great way to bring in something seasonal. Apple blossoms in the spring, peonies in the summer, sunflowers in the fall, pine cones or fresh pine for Christmas. The image below shows the coffee table at our house on Sutton Place, when my peonies were in full bloom. It was very simple to do, and of all the pictures I have taken over the years, this is one of my favorites.

Use Odd Numbers + Vary Heights

Here is where the rule of 3 comes in handy. Using odd numbers adds interest, and allows your decorative objects to stand out without looking matched. Varying the height of your items does the same thing. A taller item will balance out the lower items, resulting in a cohesive coffee table vignette.

Now that you are equipped with ideas and inspiration, have fun styling your coffee table! If it’s not exactly what you had in mind the first time around, be patient. When I feel the need for a coffee table change, it often takes several days to get the right combination. Just keep editing, adding, and arranging. Be brave and try something new, and have faith. You will get there!