Coffee Table Decor Ideas That Are Stylish and Functional

Leaving a coffee table bare is a missed decorating opportunity. A coffee table is basically the centerpiece of the living room, but it can be tricky to know exactly how to style it. What do you put on it? How much should you put on it? And what's the sweet spot between curated and cluttered? Ultimately, you should always go with what’s practical in your household and what you like, not just what’s trendy. But it’s helpful to see how designers and decorators zhuzh up coffee tables in their spaces. So we rounded up some of our favorite coffee table decor ideas for tips and inspiration you can use in your own home.

Keep it Simple with a Small Plant

This one might seem obvious, but it’s an idea people often overlook because it’s so simple. Make a small plant the star of your coffee table. This pared down approach is easy to maintain and it can breathe more life into your space. This look naturally fits into a minimalist aesthetic, as evidenced in the space above, but you can also consider this if you’re a maximalist. Contrasting a busy room with one simple focal point on the coffee table gives the eyes a place to rest.

Go Big with an Oversized Floral Bouquet

Instead of something leafy, you can opt for a beautiful bunch of flowers to make a gorgeous statement. Jesse Vickers of JLV Creative gave a coffee table this simple yet glamorous treatment in this sitting room. Note that while the bouquet is quite full, it’s not too tall—you shouldn’t have to crane your neck to see the person seated across from you. Understandably, replacing the flowers every few days is not exactly realistic, so no judgment if a faux arrangement is more your jam.

Fill a Vase with Branches

A third option in the botanical realm is placing some branches in an oversized vase. Julia Marcum of Chris Loves Julia placed a few leafy branches in a hefty jug, which added height and airiness to the center of her reading room, especially as it's paired with the solid, chunky coffee table. A tall arrangement works in this setting because it’s not obstructing any people or views. Silver dollar eucalyptus stems, olive branches, and even dried grasses are all excellent choices for an arrangement like this.

Stack Piles of Books

Bibliophiles can show off their prized possessions by stacking neat piles of their prettiest coffee table books. Really any kind of book works here—whether it's an art book destined for a spot on a coffee table or your favorite novel with a colorful cover, your selections can inject a little more personality into your space. Brittni Mehlhoff, founder of Paper & Stitch, did that here in her studio’s living room and incorporated a few Monstera leaf cuttings to break up the monotony. This is a good solution for those of us with overflow from stuffed bookshelves.

Use a Pretty Tray

Are you working with an ottoman that essentially doubles as your coffee table? That doesn’t mean you can’t decorate it! A tray is your best bet in this scenario because you can place items on top of that instead of the soft upholstery, where it’s likely to topple over. In the above example, designer Orlando Soria used a pretty copper tray for serving breakfast on this boucle piece. But you can place just about anything on your tray, such as a bud vase with a few sprigs, a small bowl of candies, a stack of mini books—the options and combinations are endless. Plus, a tray contains the clutter and it's easy to move out of the way when you want to stretch out your legs.

Set Out a Board Game

A board game that’s ready for guests or family members to play is an easy way to fill up space on a large coffee table. It’s also incredibly inviting. The backgammon game in this family room designed by Katie Rosenfield of Katie Rosenfield & Co. is especially clever because it folds up, so it's a fast fix if you need to make some room.