Looking for simple ideas on how to decorate a coffee table? You have come to the right post. I have 21 super simple ideas to share.
/ gold coffee table (wait until you see the price) //
Can I tell you about a new (although it’s really old) show that I’m currently obsessed with?
It’s called Affairs of the Heart. It’s on Prime Video and it’s a series of romantic dramas based on the works of Henry James. It was filmed in 1974 and the stories are full of the most beautiful people with storylines that are as old as time.
And just as good.
I was watching one last night about an Earl who was trying to escape all the mothers and daughters trying to marry themselves off to him by pretend-engaging himself to a girl who had been his best friend his entire life. Everyone wanted to marry him but her.
So he had to talk her into the pretend-engagement.
My husband walked by and told me he knew how it was going to end. Of course, he did. I could watch this exact story in different movies over and over and over again. The costumes are beautiful. The scenery is so pretty. The English accents are intriguing. And the houses?
Sigh.
They are so beautiful.
Those English dukes and earls knew how to rock a coffee table.
So today?
In honor of them, today is all about coffee tables and simple styling, and ideas to make them prettier.
What is on your coffee table right now? If it looks amazing, you may want to skip this post. But for me? Sometimes decorating a coffee table can be a little awkward? You don’t want it too high or too lo,w and you put a basket on the table, and then you have no idea where to go from there?
Good thing we are friends because I have a few suggestions.
Here are 21 ideas on how to decorate a coffee table.
// larger floral arrangement // smaller lilac arrangement // extra large wood bead garland // mini gold terrarium //
how to decorate a coffee table
1. Tray with beads
I shared this last week, but in case you missed it?
Here is my current coffee table in the family room.
I started with a tray and then layered in flowers and these wood beads.
You can see the entire room (along with some unpopular opinions here).
// khaki couch // blue and white rug // striped chairs // gold coffee table //
// low blue planter (similar) // gold coffee table //
2. Single low bowl with flowers
I went back and found how I had decorated my coffee table through the years.
You are either going to love it—or roll your eyes at me.
You’ll see the same coffee table styled in different ways. When I looked back I couldn’t believe how many coffee tables I’ve styled and this coffee table is so simple and yet it’s one of my favorites.
I actually got the coffee table at Walmart several years ago. They still have it in stock and it’s under $100. You can see it here.
Here’s one of the easiest ways to decorate a coffee table. You just take a low bowl, crisscross the top with scotch tape and fill it with water and flowers. The tape trick works every time.
// moss rocks // larger blue and white spheres // smaller blue and white spheres (similar) // (similar bowl) mine is sold out //
// moss rocks // larger blue and white spheres // smaller blue and white spheres (similar) // (similar bowl) mine is sold out //
3. Super simple arrangement
Hello super simple.
This arrangement is the easiest of all.
This clear glass gold coffee table actually doesn’t need that much decor because the pattern of the rug shows through the glass top.
I just took the same navy bowl and added moss and blue spheres to it.
// wood tray (similar) //
4. Wood tray with flowers
This is such an easy arrangement.
Take a wood tray and place it in the center of the coffee table. I got this tray at Target. They have a new version out this year that’s a little more oblong.
You can see the tray here.
After you place the tray—add two different floral arrangements at different heights.
Place one additional accessory to make a grouping of three.
// metal holder with glass vases //
5. Tray with greenery
Same white tray with farmhouse styling. That’s why I love this tray so much. Any tray like this will work. You just have to use it as a foundation to style your coffee table.
Add a metal holder with glass vases like this and fill them with single boxwood cuttings from the yard. Cutting greenery from the yard is one of the easiest (and free) ways to add a little organic element to the coffee table.
I love little vases like this because you just need a few sprigs to create a finished display.
Then all you have to do is stack books (remember to twist and turn them) and add in metal spheres.
6. White tray with greenery
Make an ottoman into a coffee table.
That tray? It was actually our DIY Christmas present to everyone in the family several years ago. And of course we made one for ourselves.
You can see the DIY here.
All you need to do is use the tray as a foundation on the tufting. Then take a stack of books (books are your best friend when you are figuring out how to decorate your coffee table). Next, add in three different greenery spheres of different sizes and shapes at different heights.
Place a small house (or another accessory) in the back and add one more accessory in the front.
// blue and white striped vase (similar) //
7. Single vase of flowers
Here’s the same white tray that’s decorated differently.
Take three books, and stack them in varying directions. That’s the key to stacking books. You want to twist and turn them to make them interesting.
Fill a single vase with two stems of flowers.
Then add another blue and white accessory for color like this blue and white ashtray (that looks like a mortar and pestle) that the previous owners of the house gave me as a gift.
8. White tray with a single arrangement
Here we have the same tray with only one flower arrangement. Grocery store flowers are your best friend for any coffee table arrangement. Add the flowers to a vase. Quick tip—open up the grocery store flowers and trim them to slightly different lengths so that when they go into the vase they fall perfectly.
Create layers on your coffee table. Here, the flower arrangement is the highest.
Next, place another piece of whiteware and finally, finish the grouping of three with another accessory.
// pink tulips //
// pink tulips //
// pink tulips //
9. Spring tulip arrangement
Here’s our white tray once again (are you feeling like you want to DIY this tray now?) Place a tray in the center of the coffee table.
Add a large arrangement of tulips to one side.
Place two other accessories on the tray. Make sure you are varying the heights of the accessories and flowers on the tray. You can use books and pedestals to add height where needed.
10. Metal tray and accessories
Start with a metal tray. I wish I could link this tray but I couldn’t find anything similar. This tray came from the Magnolia line at Target several years ago.
Place the tray on the table and stack three books on one side.
Next, add two different mini containers with greenery.
Stack plates under a cloche with another bit of greenery underneath.
11. Metal tray with mixed metal accents
Here’s the same metal tray with a grouping of brass vases.
I stacked books for height and added three small vases filled with flowers.
Then I added another brass accessory to balance out the display.
12. Rustic spring arrangement
Using the same metal tray, stack books and fill a vase with fresh flowers.
Next, add a rustic pedestal and drape with wood beads.
Lastly, add a cloche with stacked plates and a nest.
13. Textured summer arrangement
Start with a metal lantern and drape with wood beads.
Add a small bee skep and a rustic wood pedestal.
You could add greenery on top of the pedestal or another accessory like this wood box.
// similar glass bottles with wood tray //
14. outdoor coffee table with floral arrangement
This is one of my favorite ways to arrange flowers.
Find a wood box and add glass bottles of different sizes.
Fill with floral stems for an instant centerpiece.
// bowl filler //
15. Simple white bowl filled with rustic accessories
When planning out decorating a coffee table? DO NOT overthink your coffee table arrangement.
Here, I started with a wide white decorative bowl.
Then I filled it with these rustic accessories.
That’s it.
So simple and so NOT overthinking it.
// gold coffee table //
16. How to decorate a coffee table for fall
Looking for easy ideas on how to decorate a coffee table for fall?
This simple fall arrangement starts with these DIY floral pumpkins.
You can see how to make them here.
Just stack them on white covered books for a colorful fall display.
17. Fall arrangement with dough bowl filled with pumpkins
This fall arrangement starts with a dough bowl.
Then?
I just filled the oversized dough bowl with pumpkins of all shapes and sizes.
// gold coffee table //
18. How to decorate a coffee table for Christmas
Looking for ideas on how to decorate a coffee table for Christmas? Here’s the easiest of the easiest.
Just wrap your gifts early and stack them on your coffee table.
Then add ornaments to the top for a little Christmas fun.
19. Christmas arrangement with sleigh
Here’s another easy Christmas arrangement.
I just took the sleigh and filled it with red ornaments.
These are the ornaments you can get in different shapes and sizes and textures all in one container.
20. Christmas arrangement with wood bowl and greenery
This Christmas arrangement is so easy.
Just add a wood tray and a rustic bowl.
Then fill the bowl with greenery and woven accessories or ornaments.
21. Christmas arrangement with wood trees
Start with a wood tray.
Next, add two Christmas trees stacked on books to add height.
Then add a small snow globe to create a grouping of three.
WHEW.
That was a speed course on my coffee tables through the years.
Here are a few quick takeaways on how to decorate a coffee table:
- When you need height—stack books.
- When you need a base—add a tray or basket.
- When you need greenery—you can cut it from the yard.
- When you need accessories—you can shop your house.
And lastly.
DO NOT overthink your coffee table. Most of these displays are SUPER simple and not overworked. Sometimes a simple vase and a few well-placed accessories are all you need for coffee table success.
You GOT THIS FRIEND.
Because you (and your coffee table) are absolutely, positively, incredibly, awesomely…
….AMAZING.
PS What is on your coffee table right now?
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