How to Style a Coffee Table: 16 Easy Ideas with Big Impact

Looking to breathe new life into your living room? Sometimes, all it takes is a little coffee table makeover to transform the entire space. That's why we've been obsessed with figuring out how to style a coffee table lately.

Of course, you don't need designer accessories or a perfect eye - just a few simple ideas and your own personal touch.

No matter if you're into simple rustic looks or bold conversation starters, Lumber Grand’s experts can help you nail the balance, texture, and personal touches that make coffee table decor ideas worth showing off. Ready to give your coffee table a little love? Let's keep it simple but make it yours!

How to Style a Coffee Table to Make it Impressive?

How to style a coffee table impressively? Aside from the table size for the space, you can combine motifs and decorative things like plants, books, etc. This is to help the coffee table stand out when guests come to your home or office. Decorate your coffee table with the 16 simple options below:

1. Start with a Decorative Tray

A beautiful coffee table design will brighten up your space. Just with a luxurious brass or rustic wood decorative tray, you can create an attractive contrast of texture and color.

Imagine when your friends admire your working or reading corner and ask you how to decorate, it shows that you have your own aesthetic taste, and it bears your mark.

Now, let’s find out how to style a coffee table with a simple decorative tray below:

• First, you choose a tray that is proportional in size and shape to the coffee table. A round tray will fit a square or round table. A long rectangular tray will fit a rectangular or oval coffee table.

• Next, you can decorate the table by creating layers of different heights. Use decorations such as vases, candles, or books to create layers for the table.

• Decorative trays need to have the function of holding food or objects, such as placing coffee cups, candy, fruit, etc. If you use a narrow and small decorative tray, it will only take up more space, and besides being beautiful, it will not have any additional features to optimize.

Styling a coffee table with a tray

Photo: Pressmaster

2. Stack Coffee Table Books

If you are a book fan, this is not a bad idea to style a coffee table! You can choose books with beautiful, neat covers to create a neat highlight for the space. You can arrange the books from large to small sizes to create balance and tidy up the coffee table. Next, place small decorative statues on the stack of books to create depth.

We recommend you choose books on your favorite topics, such as literature, fashion, travel, or any field you love, to stimulate your desire to read.

It's no problem if you're not a book lover, because decorating the coffee table with books will make you develop a reading habit. Reading helps improve concentration, enhance thinking, analysis, and emotional control.

Books are great coffee table decorations

Photo: ©pixelshot on Canva.com

3. Add a Touch of Greenery

Small green plants are natural elements, creating intimacy in your living space. Coffee tables decorated with green plants or vases will be lively, bringing you a sense of relaxation.

Lumber Grand recommends some types, such as cacti, succulents, mini snake plants, and mini lavender plants. They are small in size and easy to care for in pots. You should combine green plants or vases with books and small statues to highlight the space on your small coffee table.

Decorating a coffee table with green plants

Photo: Freepik

4. Include a Candle or Scent Diffuser

Candles or diffusers are great options for decorating the coffee table. When you search on Google, you will find organic, pleasant, and relaxing scents such as warm cinnamon, lovely lavender, or woody scent.

The reason we suggest candles is that, in addition to using them for decoration, they also help you relax. You can use small cup candles in jars or candles with artistic designs to highlight the coffee table. 

Decorating with candles or scented diffusers is a unique coffee table idea

Photo: Alibaba

5. Incorporate Personal Touches

If you want to know how to style a coffee table with a personal touch, try displaying small personal items such as pictures, souvenirs. Another idea is to create your handmade things such as bamboo pen holders, rattan, raw fabric or clay flower vases.

Making a coffee table unique and personal

Photo: Freepik

6. Use Natural Elements

Blend in with nature when you use decorations made from natural materials such as wood, stone, pebbles, flowers,... specifically wooden coasters or bamboo trays. A note for you is that when choosing decorations, they should be the same color tone as the table to create a harmonious feeling without confusion. For example, natural color tones that often go together:

• Earth brown + earth orange + gray green

• Oak + cream white + moss green

• Light brown + mustard yellow + olive green

Style a coffee table with natural elements

Photo: Freepik

7. Add Something Sculptural

If you want to make your coffee table space more unique, you can choose sculptures based on your favorite theme (modern, abstract, minimalist).

Depending on the coffee table dimensions, you can select large or small works. We recommend the following ideas below to choose sculptural items: ceramic sculptures, orbs and spheres, abstract faces or hands,...

Use sculptures to highlight the coffee table

Photo: FOLLOW THE FLOW

8. Layer Different Heights

Coffee table decor ideas create a visual impact by creating layers of different heights. You can start with a base layer like a small tablecloth, a wooden tray, or a couple of books. Next, you add taller decorative items like vases, candlesticks, or sculptures arranged to create depth. 

Finally, add decorative boxes to connect the layers of tall and low items. to tie it all together, you should throw in a decorative box or two. They look good, plus they're perfect for hiding remotes, coasters, and all that small stuff that usually clutters up your table.

Creating layers of different heights on the coffee table

Photo: Freepik

9. Go Seasonal

Seasonal coffee table styling, why not? Here's how to style a coffee table to look fresh all year round. Choosing seasonal colors and materials to accent it. For example:

• Spring will be fresh flowers and pastel colors

• Summer will be made of natural materials like wood and seashells with green or yellow tones.

• Fall will be brown, with dry leaves and a cinnamon scent.

• Winter will choose white, metallic tones with wooden furniture and candles.

Seasonal coffee table styling

Photo: Freepik

10. Play with Color Accents

You can create an eye-catching coffee table if you know how to combine colors properly. Interior designers often use 2 main contrasting colors that complement each other. It combines bright colors with neutral colors such as wood, white ceramic, or glass. Here are some tips to create unique table designs with the following color combinations:

Combine neutral tones - suitable for a minimalist and luxurious style:

• Beige + white + light brown
• Light gray + white + black
• Cream + gray + natural wood
• Ivory + charcoal + olive green

Mix high contrast tones - suitable for a personality, modern and unique style:

• Black + white + bronze
• Navy blue + burnt orange
• Burgundy red + dark green
• Charcoal purple + turmeric yellow
  

Playing with color accents on the coffee table

Photo: Le Maé

11. Leave Breathing Room

If your family has many members and prioritizes spaciousness, you can choose a square coffee table top with a size from 29 inches to 41 inches so that members or guests can use the chessboard or other objects.

Don't try to cram too many small decorative objects because they will take up space. Just put 3 - 4 simple but enough items to avoid confusion when you look at it.

Leaving space will allow the decorative items

Credit: Lumber Grand

Shop now: Square Epoxy Resin Coffee Table 29 Inches

12. Add Functional Items Beautifully

If you don’t want your coffee table decor to be just aesthetically pleasing, you want to make sure it’s functional. To protect the wooden table top, use hardwood, quartz, or leather coasters, or keep it organized with metal or wooden racks or storage boxes.

Styling a coffee table with functional items

Photo: Freepik

13. Use a Statement Bowl or Dish

In case you wish to make your coffee table more lively, try placing a dish with a special shape on the table. For example, a handcrafted dish in the shape of a leaf or flower will be more unique.

Add a little art to the coffee table with a plate

Photo: hipandhumblestyle

14. Create a Theme or Mood

Styling a coffee table according to your mood or theme will be a way to make the space unique and personal. You can choose natural, literary, artistic, or seasonal themes. Decorating the coffee table according to a happy and cheerful mood or a nostalgic and sad mood will bring depth to the space.

Styling a coffee table according to your mood or theme

Photo: Master class

15. Display Art or a Mini Frame

Using art or pictures to decorate is a simple way to style a coffee table with depth and a personal touch. You can choose mini paintings or framed photos of family and friends as coffee table decorations. It helps create a private yet elegant space to entertain guests or relax. For added uniqueness, you can also combine small art paintings with vases or sculptures to create depth.

Using art or pictures to decorate

Photo: LTK

16. Mix Textures and Materials

Last but not least, combining many materials is a unique way to decorate a coffee table that you can apply. Lumber Grand recommends 4 tips for styling coffee tables with popular materials:

• Wood combined with ceramics brings a rustic handmade feel.

• Metal and glass create a modern, luxurious feel.

• Fabric + wood + wax creates a cozy and deep feeling for the space.

• Combined with ceramics and fabric, Rattan brings a gentle, close style.

Combining many materials to decorate a coffee table

Photo: Martha Stewart

Let’s be honest, your coffee table can do a lot more than simply hold your drink. With a touch of creativity, you can turn it into a stunning centerpiece that showcases your personal style.

These 16 best ideas on how to style a coffee table from Lumber Grand are sure to ignite some inspiration. As you embark on this journey, remember there is no right or wrong. The best coffee table is the one that brings you joy each time you gaze at it.

By the way, if you're in the market for a stunning new coffee table to decorate, check out our handmade epoxy table designs! They're the perfect blend of rustic charm and elegant sophistication, making them suitable for any interior or exterior space.

Want more tips on making your home look amazing, or interested in our unique epoxy coffee table collection? Drop your email at contact@lumbergrand.com, and we'll keep you in the loop regarding our latest designs and home styling ideas. Happy decorating coffee tables!