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How to Style a Coffee Table

If you’ve found the perfect coffee table for your home, don’t make the mistake of leaving it bare. This is your chance to create a visually stunning centerpiece for your living room or family room. There are many ways to go about this. If you’re not sure where to start, check out the following ideas on styling your coffee table.

Stack Some Books

The simplest way to style your coffee table is to pile some books on top of it. After all, everyone has a few books worth showing off. Whether you have actual designated coffee table books or just books with beautiful images you think guests would enjoy, feel free to display a few. You can stick to a single stack if you’d like, or make two piles. If you go with the latter, just make sure both stacks are about even, and consider arranging one on each side of any other items you display on the coffee table.

Put a Vase of Flowers on the Table

Another way to add some beauty and fragrance to the room is to place a vase of fresh flowers on the coffee table. Fortunately, you can find flowers—and vases—in every color, so choose based on the shade that works best with the rest of the room. Just make sure both the vase and bouquet you choose aren’t too tall, as you want guests to be able to see over your coffee table when sitting down.

Incorporate Natural Elements

Every home can benefit from displaying a few artifacts from nature. No matter which organic items you choose, you’ll feel calmer and more connected to nature when you’re around them. So consider filling a wooden bowl with seashells, or put some sand into a nice vase. You could also place a piece of coral or a twisted tree branch on your coffee table to offer a rustic, natural look for your home.

Add a Couple of Candles

Candles are both pretty and practical, so they’re perfect for your coffee table. Choose a few candles whose color and design match the rest of the room, so they work well as part of the décor. Then light at least one of the candles before guests come over so their eye is drawn to the coffee table, and the room smells fresh and fragrant. If you want a unique alternative to a candle, a nice lantern would work as a coffee table centerpiece, as well.

Pull It All Together with a Tray

If you’re worried about clutter on your coffee table, you can group everything together by putting it in a tray. This creates a chic, organized spot to display your books, candles, vases and more. It’s also the perfect place to discreetly store some coasters or remote controls so you can keep everything you need on your coffee table without disrupting the flow of the décor.

12 Coffee Table Ideas to Spark Your Imagination

Coffee table ideas to spark your imagination – and get you back to your ‘happy place.’


1. Fresh, Fresh, Fresh

Placing a simple vase of flowers on your coffee table will make any living room feel like an open-air oasis.

2. Four Little Vases, All in a Row

A little family of vases never hurt anyone!

3. Texture on Texture on Texture

Contrasting colors and materials to give your coffee table a little textural flavor.

4. Crisp & Clean

For a breezy, first-day-of-spring feel all year long, shy away from dark colors.

5. Rugged & Natural

For a “straight-from-the-woodshop” charm, opt for a distressed finish, industrial base and potted plant decor.

6. Blackout

Mesmerized by that iconic elegance that seemed to follow the likes of Audrey Hepburn and Jackie O. everywhere they went? Turns out it’s not so elusive after all. In fact, it can all be boiled down to one simple motto: Ultra-black goes with everything and anything. Commit to memory for flawless aesthetic, every time!

7. Peep Show

Statement decorations don’t always have to be front-and-center; place a few below eye-level for out-of-the-way intrigue.

8. Farmhouse Harmony

A scented candle, burgeoning blossoms and a backdrop of fresh firewood come together to celebrate life’s simple pleasures.

9. Happy Hour

Fresh from the grapevine: a rustic serving tray, decorative decanters and purple plants to impress even the classiest of sommeliers!

10. Sliver of Gold

You say splash of gold, we say très chic!

11. Group Huddle

Like humans, nesting tables do better as a team; unlike humans, they don’t require a bubble of ‘personal space’ – push them in as close as possible and layer on the style!

12. Concrete Ideas

Fusion decor = industrial concrete + sweet florals.

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Watch: How to Style a Coffee Table

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Editorial Disclaimer: Articles featuring tips and advice are intended for educational purposes and only as general recommendations. Always practice personal discretion when using and caring for furniture, decor and related items.