45 Coffee Table Decor Ideas

You've finally found the perfect coffee table for your living room, family room, or primary en suite lounge space. Now, all you have to do is make it pop with the right mix of accessories that suit both your lifestyle and aesthetic.

Whether you prefer a minimalist or a maximalist approach, check out these stylish and wide-ranging coffee table decor ideas will help you add those finishing touches that will turn this functional piece of furniture into a showstopping focal point.

The 8 Best Lift Top Coffee Tables of 2023

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Display Some Fresh Florals

BellaFlynn Design Studio / Instagram

Fresh flowers can make all the difference in a space. If your living room needs a dose of pep, opt for a bouquet of pink flowers as seen here. Unable to purchase florals each week? Fear not; realistic looking faux flowers will do the job, too. Bonus points if you already have an artful vase on hand that will add major style.

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Keep It Balanced

@houseof4blue / Instagram

Mix and match various textures to create an eye-catching display. A porcelain bowl, wooden chain accessory, and some greenery blend together nicely on this table. A decorative bust planter adds a classic element with a twist.

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Say Oui

Meghan Donovan/ Instagram

Have a passion for a particular city or region? Celebrate it in the form of a coffee table accent—a croissant trinket, for example, will immediately make you think of leisurely days in Paris whenever you glance at it. There's no need to travel far when you can reminisce on a favorite place from your own living room.

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Flip Open a Book

Interior Design by S&S / Instagram

Utilize those coffee table books by flipping open a favorite and bookmarking a page you particularly enjoy. This will encourage guests to take a look at your collection of fave titles rather than just viewing them as decorative items on display. We love the idea of using a chic wooden chain as a paperweight, too.

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Get Coastal

Kylie Redden / Instagram

Add a subtle coastal touch to your space with some coral and blue-and-white decor—porcelain is always in style. The above setup is an excellent example of honoring a theme without going overboard.

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Play With Height

Mounira Giacco / Instagram

Two vessels are better than one—especially when they vary in height and add color and dimension to your table. Whether you fill yours with branches or keep them empty (or opt for a mix of both), you can't go wrong.

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Be Neutral

Maria / Instagram

Keep things nice and neutral by choosing solely black and white accents for your coffee table. You definitely don't have to confuse opting for black-and-white decor with being a minimalist, though—this setup is still full of intrigue and whimsy.

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Light It Up

Elena / Instagram

Keep those scented candles and essential oil diffusers on display so that you're ready to make your home a fragrance-filled haven at any time. Corralling scents on a tray is an excellent way to keep your setup nice and tidy. Don't feel like you have to stop at just one candle, either—feel free to set out an entire collection so that there's always some variety.

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Try a Tray

Blanchette Nelson / Instagram

All you need to convert an ottoman into a traditional coffee table is a chic tray. Choose a color that will pop against the ottoman's fabric. Gold is always a solid pick that will stand the test of time.

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Fill a Bowl

Jenny / Instagram

Whether you place potpourri, faux fruit, or a seasonal accent like pinecones inside, the options for what to store in oversized decorative bowls are limitless. In fact, part of the fun can be changing your setup each month, if you wish. Let the entire family weigh in on determining the next theme.

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Showcase a Collection

Meryl King / Instagram

If you collect something small—like matchbooks from your favorite restaurants—go ahead and set up a special display on your coffee table. Matchbooks are particularly ideal because come in handy when entertaining, of course, but they're also instant conversation starters when friends stop by.

How to Create a Focal Point in Any Room

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Get Natural

Barb / Instagram

Elements that remind us of nature will help bring the outside in year-round—no maintenance involved. A faux antler and leaf-shaped trinket dish add an earthy touch to this coffee table,

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Add a Pedestal

Brandi / Instagram

For those looking for a bit more oomph, a pedestal makes for an excellent addition to the coffee table. Use it to make your styling really stand out and add layers to your display. It can also help prevent trailing plants from dangling down too low.

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Opt for Olive Branches

Savannah / Instagram

Olive branches are such a classic, adding cozy vibes to any room in which they're displayed. If you don't have room in your living space for a full tree or taller plant, branches are the way to go and will look right at home on a coffee table.

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Keep it Simple

Shirin Abdollahi / Instagram

Simple certainly doesn't have to equal sterile. If you're not inclined to style every inch of your coffee table, choose a few statement-making pieces with varying heights and textures, and you're golden.

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Light a Little Lamp

Natascha / Instagram

We've already shared our love for candles on the coffee table, but it turns out that petite lamps look pretty darn darling, too. Choose a small battery-operated light that will add a warm glow to your space all day long.

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Pull Out All the Stops

Adriana Garst / Instagram

If your coffee table has a unique design or moveable tiers, play to its fun shape and decorate each mini surface to suit your personality. More surfaces equals more styling potential, right?

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Set Out a Cloche

Anna Straw / Instagram

A cute cloche will elevate even the most ordinary candle and make it look way more luxe. Pair this setup with a fun match holder (vintage looking options are always an excellent idea), and you're more than ready to host friends for a cozy night in.

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Bust Out Those Candle Holders

Christina Toth / Instagram

Even when not in use, candle holders look beautiful on a coffee table. Pick ones that have some vintage charm to them and you're sure to receive compliments. Thrift stores and antique markets are great places to source brass pieces like the brass candlesticks above.

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Have Fun With Dried Leaves

Laura / Instagram

Dried leaves or florals look just as gorgeous as their fresh counterparts. Here, an oversized palm leaf makes a statement and blends in wonderfully with other neutral colored decor. And it'll last for ages, too.

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Grab Some Boxes

Malisa / Instagram

Decorative storage boxes come in handy all throughout the house, but they are especially useful in containing common sources of coffee table clutter. Use them to stash away remotes and cords when not in use and take note of how much your mood improves when you aren't constantly staring at various electronic gadgets!

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Showcase Your Green Friends

Casa Watkins Living

The coffee table is prime real estate for plant enthusiasts. Let a few favorite green friends take the stage by giving them a prime home on your coffee table. Just don't go overboard or all of the leaves will begin to blend together or obstruct your view of the room.

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Choose Complementary Pieces

Tiffany Barino / Instagram

Why not decorate with accents that complement the finish of your coffee table? For example, if you have a glass or lucite piece, including some transparent decor elements on top.

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Group Your Ginger Jars

Austin Leigh Interiors / Instagram

A favorite collection of pieces deserves to be admired and not tucked away for special occasions. If you're a ginger jar lover, set out a few beloved pieces on your coffee table and use them as vases if you're so inclined.

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Print Some Pics

Olaniyi S. / Instagram

Print out (or dig up from your family archives) photographs of loved ones that will make you smile. It's so rare that we see printed pictures in our homes these days, and keeping a few favorites on your coffee table will remind you of precious moments and faces you don't often get to see in real life.

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Show Off Your Succulents

Brie / Instagram

If full-blown plant displays aren't your thing, you can still showcase pops of green with a few smaller plant pots or succulents grouped together on your coffee table. We love the boho-inspired setup above, complete with candles and macramé.

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Get Sculptural

Chandra / Instagram

Sculptural objects like textured spheres make for beautiful coffee table decor, especially when one's style leans more mod and minimal. Group a couple together and then keep the rest of the surface nice and simple.

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Stack It Up

Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Photo by Christy Q. Photo

Sometimes, a good old-fashioned stack of books is all you need. Keep your display looking fresh by switching up titles each season or to reflect a particular theme—like travel, fashion, cocktails, or any subject that piques your interest—so that the arrangement doesn't feel stale.

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Play to Your Surroundings

Domm Dot Com / Instagram

If you have a busier living room, you may wish to pare down when it comes to your coffee table decor. In this space, a wall full of books is the main focal point, so an under-styled coffee table helps offset this setup.

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Bust a Move

Lowe Saddler / Instagram

Decorative busts aren't just for bookshelves. Pick a favorite statue and let him or her have a moment on your coffee table. Who says your home can't look like a museum?

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Get Sneaky

Design by Alvin Wayne

A pair of binoculars or a magnifying glass adds an instant element of fun to any coffee table (and makes peering across the way to catch glimpses of your neighbor's adorable puppy that much easier).

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Break Out the Beads

Design by Amy Leferink at Interior Impressions

Woven beads are a popular choice when it comes to coffee table decor and they shine in a number of settings. What's great about this accent is that it can lean boho, traditional, or coastal—the key is all in the styling.

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Bring Nature Indoors

Design by Ashley Montgomery Design

Branches and berries are oh so festive to keep on the coffee table during the holiday season. Place some in a large dish and you're all set. Spritz live branches with water throughout the week to keep them looking nice and fresh.

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Try a Nontraditional Vase

Design by Charbonneau Interiors

If you're itching for something off the beaten path, try a non traditional vase where each stem has its own home. This can create a unique sculptural display that truly doubles as art.

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Get Rocky

Design by Chelius House of Design

Displaying a geode, crystal, or other similar piece isn't just for boho style, new age homes. These rocks can look stunning in any space and are an excellent way to quickly add color to your coffee table setup.

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Leave It Bare

Design by Charlie Coull Design

If you prefer a clean slate, you can always opt to leave your table totally empty. This can be ideal for those living in small apartments whose coffee tables play multiple roles throughout the day, transitioning from a dining area to a workspace in just a matter of minutes. The key here is making sure that the rest of your space is well decorated so that it doesn't appear that you've only just moved in.

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Set Out a Sculpture

Home and Spirit / Instagram

A sculptural object is always a good idea to elevate your coffee table decor. Here, an oversized piece adds some contrast to the mostly white decor on this wooden table.

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Set Out a Game

Design by Victoria Bell Interiors

Whether it's a chessboard or a classic Monopoly box is up to you. Keeping a game or two on display encourages playfulness—bonus points if you find one that's aesthetically pleasing.

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Try a Trinket Box

Design by Tyler Karu

A small trinket box ensures that any loose items, such as buttons, change, and the like, don't clutter up your coffee table. Organization has never looked so stylish.

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Think Outside

Design by White Sands Design/Build

Don't forget to style your outdoor coffee table, either. A few plants and a tray for transporting drinks will make kicking back in the sun easy peasy.

The 10 Best Coffee Tables of 2023

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Keep It Tonal

Design by Forbes + Masters

This primary bedroom suite has a tonal palette of beige and browns paired with metallic and black accents. In the lounge area, a sculptural coffee table is decorated with a mix of sculptural and natural decor objects in similar tones that add texture while staying cohesive with the overall scheme of the room.

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Add a Mirrored Element

Design by Desiree Burns Interiors

Add a mirrored element to your coffee table decor to reflect natural light or amplify the flames of a flickering candle. In this sunny living room, a small mirrored tray with gold-toned edging warms up a white egg-shaped coffee table while holding drink coasters and a small vase.

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Use Natural Touches

Design by Forbes + Masters

This contemporary living room features a clean-lined, glass-topped coffee table decorated simply with a gnarled piece of driftwood and a bowl of eco-friendly preserved moss that adds a natural element to the streamlined design. A DIY terrarium would work well here, too.

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Add Contrast

Design by Desiree Burns Interiors

Adding contrasting colors and mixing materials adds texture and interest to your coffee table decor. In this living room, a white marble, gold-rimmed coffee table is decorated with a modern rustic wooden fruit bowl, while a small stack of black books and coasters echo the graphic look of the mostly black-and-white color scheme.

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Add Vintage Vibes

Design by Forbes + Masters

This Nashville music lounge has a '70s feel, with a low-slung chunky white coffee table that is decorated with fresh flowers, coffee table books, and a groovy vintage lucite chess set that catches the light.