Round coffee tables are perfect for bringing a soft, organic shape to all of the sharp angles and straight lines that typically dominate living and family rooms. But when it comes to decorating a round coffee table, it can feel a bit more challenging than styling your typical square or rectangular table.
If you’ve ever found yourself stumped on how to make a round coffee table both functional and stylish, you’re in the right place! Today, I’m sharing tips and ideas for decorating a round coffee table in a way that’s both beautiful and practical. (post includes commissionable links; for more information, see my full disclosure statement {here})
I decided to write this post because this week I’ve been working on decorating my own round coffee table that recently arrived for our sunroom (aka “circus room”) after months of being backordered. It’s {this 44″ modern farmhouse round coffee table}:
Having this larger coffee table has made such a difference to the feel of our space versus the old, smaller one that was repurposed from another room.
Let’s kick this post off with ideas of what to place on your coffee table, and then I’ll share tips on how to pull it all together for a stylish look and show you how I decorated mine…
1. Start With a Tray to Corral Smaller Objects
A tray is the perfect starting point for decorating a round coffee table! It not only adds structure but also helps corral smaller items, ensuring everything stays organized and looks cohesive.
Wood, marble, metal, and lacquered trays all have different personalities and can change the feel of your space, so choose a material that complements your style. While a metallic tray gives a more modern vibe, a natural woven tray like {this round seagrass tray} on {this round glass coffee table} lends a more organic feel:
Be sure to choose a tray that fits the scale of your table – too small, and it’ll look lost; too large, and it will crowd the space.
2. Incorporate Decor Pieces
Now, it’s time to add in some pretty decor pieces that reflect your personal style. Consider sculptures, candles, vases, bowls, a favorite family heirloom, or any unique objects you love (like that misshapen clay bowl your child or grandchild made for you!). Here’s a beautiful example:
Image Sources: Round woven tray | Chambray coral | Glass hurricane candle holders | Faux flowers
Some favorite coffee table decor pieces I’ve used in the past include {this faux coral},
and a variety of vases filled with seasonal flowers, such as this small white vase filled with {these faux flowers} in the fall:
Styling Tip: Vary the height of your decor pieces to help create a more layered look. For example, pair a taller vase with shorter items like stacked books.
3. Add a Touch of Greenery
Adding a plant, clippings from your backyard, or a vase of fresh flowers to your round coffee table not only brightens up the space but also gives it life and freshness:
While nothing beats a live plant or fresh flowers, there’s no shame in going faux, especially in a room that doesn’t receive optimal light.
As an example, {this faux butterfly bush bundle} in {this chambray vase} looks gorgeous on {this round coffee table}:
4. Hide the Uglies in a Basket or Box
No matter the shape or size of the coffee table, I think everyone needs a basket or box to hide items that you want to keep handy but don’t necessarily want to look at. For example, a box such as {this striped box} can corral remote controls, computer cords, pens, coasters, or anything else you want tucked away but easy to grab:
Other boxes I’ve used for this purpose are {this cane box} with a glass top:
and one of {these marble and wood boxes} that come in a pair:
A small square decorative box similar to {this one} is also perfect for storing a set of coasters:
5. Balance It Out with Books
Coffee table books are one of my favorite ways to bring both style and practicality to a round table. They can also help balance out the other items you’ve chosen for your coffee table. Whether it’s a design book, a travel guide, or a collection on your favorite hobby, coffee table books are a great way to add layers of color, texture, and visual appeal. You can use a single large coffee table book:
or a stack of books. It’s best to vary the size of the books to create visual interest with larger books at the bottom and smaller ones on top. I like to choose coffee table books about favorite travel locations, our home state, favorite hobbies, or (big surprise) design.
It’s also fun to add a “topper” to at least one of the book stacks for an extra layered look. Ideas for toppers include a small dish/bowl, candle, or other decorative item such as {these glass beads}:
or {this wood knot}:
While decorating a coffee table is about showcasing your style, don’t forget about its function. Make sure you leave enough open space that your table still serves its primary purpose of providing a surface to rest a drink or your phone or for propping up your feet.
Now let’s pull it all together for a cohesive look…
Minimalist Style
If you like a more minimalistic look, styling your round coffee table can be as simple as a vase of flowers next to a coffee table book with a topper such as the large seashell used here:
Image Sources: Chandelier | Round woven coffee table | Color block vase
For a bit more drama, style your round coffee table with a tall vase with flowering branches alongside a stack of coffee table books as shown on {this coffee table}:
And one last minimalistic option is to top your round coffee table with a round tray such as {this one} and a pair of candlesticks such as {these}:
The Stylish Trifecta
Want to add a bit more decor to your round coffee table? Go for the stylish trifecta, which is truly a no-fail decorating formula! Simply add three different objects or groupings of objects in a triangular arrangement.
Start by placing a larger focal item, such as a statement vase, at one point of the triangle. Then, build out from there, positioning complementary items at the other two points. To keep things visually balanced, make sure to vary the height and scale of your decor and use a mix of textures and materials.
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One pretty example is {this round coffee table} with a triangular arrangement of (1) a flower-filled vase, (2) a stack of books with topper, and (3) a round woven tray filled with decor pieces:
Another example is {this coffee table} with a triangular arrangement of (1) coffee table books topped with candlesticks, (2) a round woven tray filled with a vase of flowers and other decor, and (3) a stack of books with toppers:
I used a triangular arrangement on our new round coffee table too – I’m still playing around with it, but here’s what it’s looking like right now:
The three points of my arrangement include (1) {this round white vase} filled with faux florals from Afloral, (2) {this round woven tray} filled with a pair of candlesticks, {these scalloped marble coasters}, a footed bowl similar to {this one} and {these glass beads}, and (3) two stacked books ({this Garden Inspirations book} is so pretty!) topped by a fabric decorative box (no longer available).
There are lots of other arrangements that can work on a round coffee table too. Often it just takes experimenting with different decor pieces you already have to figure out what’s going to work best in your space.
In a future post, I’ll be sharing updated pics of our entire sunroom since I’ve finally finished furnishing it and am close to being done accessorizing it. Stay tuned…
XO,
