I’m sharing all of my favorite coffee table decor ideas to help you have a beautiful, functional coffee table!
I’m a sucker for pretty coffee table decor! When I took a good look at the two coffee tables in our house, I realized that there are five decor essentials that I always use and I’m going to share each one of those coffee table decor ideas with you today! (post includes some affiliate links – see my full disclosure statement {here})
Coffee Table Decor Idea #1 – Large Coffee Table Trays
I always use a large tray on my coffee tables. Always. I love that they keep everything neatly corralled and if you want to clear off your coffee table to use it for playing a game or setting out a spread of food, you can take everything off with the simple lift of a tray. Trays are also a great way to add some contrasting texture or color to keep things interesting.
For our family room coffee table, I went with a large 28″ square wood tray that takes up a large chunk of the coffee table but still leaves room for my husband to throw up his feet (we keep a designated “foot pillow” around for him to do that with – lol!):
Sources: White tasseled corner pillow cover | Textured gray pillow cover | Antelope pillow cover | Faux fiddle leaf fig tree | Rug | Pair of floor poufs | Acrylic coffee table (similar) | Black and white striped box (on coffee table) | Brass cranes | White coral (similar)
I had the hardest time finding a large handled square tray that I liked but ended up finding the perfect one on Etsy. The shop I bought mine from no longer exists but you can find an almost identical tray at {this Etsy shop}. They offer them in a wide variety of colors in a velvet matte or gloss luster finish. A tray this large is expensive but I’ll have mine for YEARS. I love that if I change up my color scheme in the future, I can simply repaint it rather than having to buy a new tray.
On our living room ottoman/coffee table, I mostly use light woven trays to add some brightness and texture. I recently bought {this large woven rattan tray} which is a nice size and a great price for a tray this large:
Other sources: White vase | Faux eucalyptus | Gold wishbone
FYI, be sure to add felt pads to the bottom of woven trays to make sure they don’t scratch your coffee table! These are a few other favorite coffee table trays that would also work beautifully (Scroll & Click/Tap to Shop):
Coffee Table Decor Idea #2 – Flowers & Natural Elements
I use flowers and natural elements throughout my home because they add life in a way nothing else can so it’s no surprise that one of my favorite coffee table decor ideas! During the summer when we have a ton of flowers blooming in our yard, I keep small fresh flower bouquets on our coffee table:
You can add even more life and personality by placing your flowers in something unique like this brass swan planter of mine (you can find similar planters {here} and {here}) that I’m pretty much obsessed with:
If you don’t have blooms to clip from your yard, grab a $5 bundle of tulips at the grocery store or for even less maintenance, add a plant. This snake plant that used to be on our living room coffee table is the best – seriously unkillable:
And I love {this dried star anise pod} I have on the stack of books on the end of our coffee table too – it’s another way of bringing nature into this space.
There’s also no shame in going faux! I recently bought {this faux peony bundle} in raspberry and two of {these white hydrangeas} that make the prettiest little arrangement:
And after moving my snake plant upstairs, I’ve been using three of these faux eucalyptus branches (found {here}) in {this white vase} on our living room ottoman:
You can use other natural elements to add life too – a bowl of pinecones, feathers, or elements from the sea such as driftwood, shells, and coral are just a few ideas. The best thing about natural elements is that there are so many outside your door that you can find and use for free!
Coffee Table Decor Idea #3 – Coffee Table Books
Books are another must-have for me. They’re perfect for adding a layered look plus it’s nice to have some interesting coffee table books that your family and guests can pick up and read. Being the design lover that I am, most of mine (big surprise) are centered on design. Books about the area you live in, your favorite state or country to vacation in, or a favorite hobby are other great choices.
You could also think about getting a bunch of your photos off of your phone and computer and into one of {these cute digital photo books} – that’s future coffee table goals for me! And if you want to add some color or pattern to your coffee table, a simple way to do it is to use a remnant from a favorite fabric to create a fabric book cover:
If you’re a design lover like me and are on the hunt for some good coffee table books, these are a few that have great content inside and look pretty outside (Scroll & Click/Tap to Shop):
Coffee Table Decor Idea #4 – Book Toppers
Along with some stacked coffee table books, I always add a book topper or two. These can be just about anything from the large gold wishbone (similar one available {here}) I used on my fabric covered book above to a decorative magnifying glass like one of {these} or a small piece of coral like {this one}):
Wood bead garlands or sea glass bead necklaces like {these} are other favorite toppers:
Here are a few other ideas for fun book toppers (Scroll & Click/Tap to Shop):
Coffee Table Decor Idea #5 – Decorative Boxes
Decorative boxes are the best! There are so many beautiful options and they’re great for stashing things that you don’t want cluttering up your table. {This black and white pinstripe box} on our family room coffee table holds extra TV remotes, our lighting remote, and my photo flash drives I need every now and then while laptopping on the sectional:
And the smaller marble box on our living room ottoman tray holds a set of coasters:
These are some other beautiful decorative boxes that would work well on a coffee table (Scroll & Click/Tap to Shop):
Once you’ve got these essentials in place, then it’s time to have some fun and add a few quirky things you love! For me, that’s often brass animals (#obsessed) like this pair of brass cranes (similar ones available {here}):
but for you it might be something related to your favorite hobby or a piece that simply has some history and special meaning. Put it all together and you’ll have a coffee table that’s the star of your space!
Sources: TV console (similar) | Chandelier (satin bronze) | Rattan chair | White tasseled corner pillow cover | Textured gray pillow cover | Antelope pillow cover | Faux fiddle leaf fig tree | Rug | Pair of floor poufs | Acrylic coffee table (similar) |
Thanks so much for stopping by today! You can find a full source list for my family room in {this post} and a source list for my living room in {this post} in case you were wondering where something came from. And if you’re new here and want to join the Driven by Decor crew in getting DIY and decorating inspiration delivered to your inbox, I’d love for you to subscribe by email – it’s typically only 2 posts per week and you can unsubscribe at any time! CLICK {HERE} TO SUBSCRIBE!
CINDY hattersley says
Sooooo many good ideas here. You and Sherry have inspired me to be on the lookout for pretty coasters! I love that you have them stashed in a pretty container. Your have a knack for organizing your elements in such a stylish way. I am going to check out the boxes you have listed. Thanks so much Kris for joining us. You do such a great job with tutorials. You make it all sound simple!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank YOU for having me! Always love doing a hop with you talented ladies!!!!
gail says
Room is absolutely lovely. Coffee table ideas…great. The only thing I would suggest is getting some fabulous spring pillows that pick up the raspberry color of the faux peonies! The room calls for just a wee bit more color in my opinion. Nothing overwhelming.. just a pop of color to keep it interesting!
Kris Jarrett says
I’m still in winter mode here in Connecticut but I do always add more color for spring – stay tuned! 🙂
classic casual home says
This is so great, Kris…love all the links you have provided and it makes me want to start shopping right away! You can’t have too many trays, right? And for that matter…BOXES, too. You have such pretty inspiration here!
Mary Ann
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you so much for having me guest host! I enjoyed hopping around and seeing everyone’s beautiful work!
Lynn Coleman says
Are faux plants or greenery OK from some spaces?
Kris Jarrett says
Absolutely! I have a mix of faux and live plants in my home!
LA CONTESSA says
There is definitely A THEME WITH ALL YOU DECOR LADIES!!!
TRAYS, BOOKS and BEADS!
A BEAUTIFUL ARRANGEMENT TO FEAST UPON!
Kris Jarrett says
Yes!! Never enough trays, books, and beads! 🙂
Gail Storti says
Hi Kris, I love all of the wonderful things you shared to make a coffee table look divine! Your house is always such an inspiration and your blog is in my top 5 favorites! Thanks for sharing your talents.
Kris Jarrett says
That’s so sweet to hear – thank you Gail!
Jill says
Love your tips! I’m a tray junkie which is kinda crazy since we just got our first coffee table a few months ago. I switch them out every few weeks and now I have some new looks to try; thanks for a great blog post.
Kris Jarrett says
You and me both! You can never have enough trays! 🙂
Anonymous says
Coffee Table is Beautiful. I love it help make it easy for me to get some ideas. Good job!!!!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you!!
sherry hart says
Beautiful Kris…..I couldn’t get a wide shot because my house was such a mess and I didn’t want to clean it up…..haha. You always get it right:)
Kris Jarrett says
Sherry you always kill it no matter how you do it! Love your work so much!
Kerri says
Such a great post, love all of the items you have sourced! Adding this to my Pinterest Baord stat!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks for stopping by Kerri – glad you enjoyed the post!
kim says
Hi Kris, Loving your blog. My first time visiting. The tables are gorgeous ! I love all your ideas and what pretty boxes. Such a great idea to store the remote and coasters too! I think I need to shop for both of those things.
Fun doing this with you all! Kim
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you Kim! Fun doing this hop with you – loved your post!!
Karen Bunch says
Kris,
Great ideas and I particularly appreciate your links to sources or similar items. Your family room is a favorite of mine.
xo,
Karen
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you so much Karen!
Rosemary O'Kieffe says
Hi Kris! What do you suggest for a round coffee table. What shape of tray? I recently bought this one from Target and am struggling with decorating it? Thanks! Your home is beautiful!
Kris Jarrett says
I actually haven’t ever had a round coffee table but check out my friend Pam’s post – she has some really great ideas on how to style them here: https://simpledetailsblog.blogspot.com/2019/02/3-simple-steps-for-styling-chic-coffee.html
Jackee says
Hi,
LOVING your blog! and your taste in decor! Have purchased quite a few of your suggestions and am so happy with them all! Can you tell me-how many inches tall is your the brass swan?
The proportion looks great.
Thanks!
Cheryl Gray says
I have been noticing acrylic coffee tables are back on the rise…Is acrylic furniture back in style…I really like them.
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Jamie says
Hi Kris,
Can you share where you purchased the white lumbar pillow in your living room? It’s visible on your couch in one of the photos.
Thank you!
Donna says
Love your coffee table look! Very simple yet elegant. Can you tell me where I can purchase the marble box and coasters?
Thank you
EVELYN JORDAN says
LOVE SEEING YOUR IDEAS.