Style any room with these creative coffee table décor ideas.

A coffee table is a place where you congregate with friends and family. It’s where you set food and drinks while you chat with guests. It’s where you leave the bowl of popcorn when you get lost in that movie you’ve seen a thousand times. It’s also a major focal point in a room, and you want it to show off your style.

The following coffee table décor ideas cover all your bases. From round coffee tables ideas to concepts perfect for glass tables, and for coffee tables indoors and out, you’ll find your perfect coffee tablescape here.

Round coffee table décor ideas.

Round tables offer enough space between the table edge and the tablescape that you can really have fun with round and oval coffee table décor ideas. After all, the number one rule of coffee table styling is to leave enough space around every edge that someone can set a cup down no matter where they stand or sit.

Whether it’s for a breakfast nook coffee table or living room, round coffee table décor ideas also complement the shape of the table. Look through these ideas and see which one speaks to you.

Single statement centerpiece.

Select one large, bold item you love, like a ceramic sculpture or an oversized bowl. Place it in the center of the table without any adornments. You accentuate the round shape of the coffee table with this simple single centerpiece.

Symmetrical elegance.

Arrange three tall candlesticks of the same height in a triangle in the table center. Surround them with a ring of thick ribbon or faux pearls.

Showcase your greenery.

Set a leafy houseplant in a decorative pot in the center of the coffee table, then adorn around it with a small thematic collection, like travel souvenirs or nostalgic memorabilia.

Create a color trio.

Select three unrelated items in complementary colors (for example, navy blue, gold, and white). Arrange them in the center of your table.

Progressive candle cluster.

Take candles of varying heights and cluster them together. Set them on a reflective mirror for a glowing, almost magical effect when lit.

Curated collectibles.

Choose three items from a collection important to you and arrange them together in the center of your table.

Vintage pieces.

Find some antique pieces, like vintage teapots or old books, and set them together in an asymmetrical arrangement for a wistful look.

Seasonal layering.

Layer two runners diagonally across the table for a contrast between the round shape and the angles of the runners. For a fun twist, leading up to an event, replace one of the runners with a banner made for the occasion.

Rectangle coffee table décor ideas.

Rectangular coffee tables are the most common, but that doesn’t mean your coffee table décor has to be commonplace. For instance, there are asymmetrical coffee table décor ideas you can play with, plus fun accessories that are as practical as they are interesting to look at.

Use a long runner for added length.

Lay an extra-long runner down your coffee table with at least six inches hanging off each end. This visually elongates the table.

Linear candles.

Set pillar candles of different heights in a straight line down your table and weave a garland between them.

Three-part décor.

Divide your coffee table into thirds and place a different item in each section. You could put a small statuette in one, a plant in another, and a vase in another. It’s best if they’re roughly the same height, but be sure to mix colors and textures.

Breakfast nook display.

If you have a rectangular coffee table in your breakfast nook, style it with a woven basket filled with fresh fruit and ceramic mugs. This sets a charming and practical vignette.

Stacked books with accents.

Stack some of your most decorative books in the center of your table and top it with small decorative items like a small candle, a custom card, or a framed photo.

Symmetrical balance.

Take two matching objects — like statuettes or lanterns — and place them in the center of the table with roughly one foot between them.

Asymmetrical spread.

Take different decorative items of varying height, texture, and color, and position them in a centerpiece on your coffee table.

Color gradients.

Arrange several decorative objects in a gradient of color down your table. You could choose light to dark items, for example, or blue to red, or light green to dark green.

Glass coffee table décor ideas.

Glass coffee tables take up less visual space in a room, meaning they let décor elsewhere in the room take center stage. When it comes to styling them, you have creative and beautiful glass coffee table décor ideas that capitalize on their sparkle and modern appeal.

Candles in water.

Set a decorative bowl in the center and fill it one third of the way with water. Float a few small candles on top along with some soft rose petals.

Mirrored base centerpiece.

Set a mirror or metallic tray in the center of the table and a sculpture on top. The reflective qualities of the centerpiece add depth to any glass table display.

Glow and sparkle votives.

Glass coffee tables often call for modern coffee table décor ideas. Set a large metallic tray in the center, adorn it with votives and small crystal figures, and weave a string of twinkle lights around them.

Added transparency.

Arrange a few transparent items — like glass bowls or vases — as a centerpiece to keep that airy, elegant look in your space.

Natural elements.

Some glass coffee table décor ideas are for glass tables with a lower shelf. If your table has one, set natural elements like stones and seashells on the lower level so they can be admired below the glass surface.

Floating illusion.

Cluster decorative items close together in the center of the table to give them a floating look above the glass.

Mixed materials contrast.

Glass is such a defining material that you can juxtapose it beautifully with contrasting materials, like a wooden tray with metallic figurines.

Light play.

Decorate a glass table with a prism or crystal that refracts light. Sunlight will cast beautiful patterns onto the glass surface below and bounce all around the room.

Coffee table books décor ideas.

Styling books on top of coffee tables is a staple of coffee table décor. There’s even a class of tomes called “coffee table books.” These are designed to leaf through, and it’s on coffee tables that we display them.

There are lots of ways to style tables, though, and these coffee table book décor ideas give you specific ideas to make the most of your coffee table book displays.

Bookshelf “feel.”

Set several books out standing together in a row, secured on both sides with decorative bookends.

Books as pedestals.

Use stacks of two or three thick books as pedestals for other decorative items.

Interactive book display.

Leave one extra-large coffee table book open in the center of your coffee table, encouraging people to interact. Change the page it’s open to every time someone visits.

Horizontal and vertical books.

Stack a few books horizontally, then lean several vertical books next to it. Support the opposite side with another stack of horizontal books.

Themed books.

Choose as many as six books with a shared theme you love, like travel or fashion. Stack them in descending size in the center of your table.

Tray-organized books.

Start with a decorative tray, then place two or three small books on top.

Fanned-out books.

Fan out a series of thin books or magazines to showcase their color and invite others to pick one up.

Vintage books.

Take your oldest books (ideally if they’re leather-bound), and arrange them on a table for a vintage look. Top a stack with small antique figures or a globe for added character.

Outdoor patio coffee table décor ideas.

Indoor-outdoor trends have connected our homes to our yards in astonishing way. Outdoor patios and all-seasons pool cabanas are the new dream amenity for many homeowners, and they’ve redefined how we relax outside. Outdoor patio coffee table décor ideas have become a fun tablescaping challenge to not only bring our style of décor outside, but to make sure it stands up to the elements.

Outdoor tablescaping favors heavy, rustic coffee table décor ideas so that the weather’s wear and tear doesn’t show. Peruse these ideas and see which mirrors your style best for a new level of indoor-outdoor continuity.

Wildflower spread.

Fill a shallow bowl (since a shallow bowl is less likely to catch the wind) with wildflowers. Regularly refill it after the wildflowers wilt and dry.

Stone and driftwood.

Collect stones of different colors and sizes along with some driftwood, and arrange them together in a low-profile outdoor-safe vase.

Outdoor lanterns.

Place a pair of outdoor-graded lanterns with LED candles in the center of your table. This doubles as a light source when you sit out on the patio after dark.

Potted herb garden.

Set out a display of herbs in tiny pots in a cluster on your coffee table. They smell great, and they’re nearby when you grill or cook outside.

Rustic natural wreath.

Rustic coffee table décor ideas like this one are perfect for spaces outdoors. Make a natural wreath with dried branches and flowers, then place it in the center of your coffee table. Set a small decorative item in the middle.

Water-resistant runner.

Lay a water-resistant table runner across the coffee table and top it with low-maintenance potted plants to help it stay in place.

Single planter centerpiece.

Set one large, weatherproof planter in the center of the table filled with your favorite leafy houseplant.

Seashell bowl.

Fill a sturdy, textured bowl with seashells of different shapes and sizes.

Small and simple coffee table décor ideas.

There are some coffee tables that are too small for big and showy centerpieces. Whether round, oval, or rectangular, small coffee table décor ideas keep things simple. These minimalist ideas are fast, too, so they could inspire you to switch your coffee table décor out often to change things up. Take your pick and try one now because these simple coffee table décor ideas are just that easy.

Statement vase.

Select one decorative statement vase and adorn it with a single flower. Set it in the middle of the table without overwhelming the space.

Bowl of snacks.

Set out a bowl filled with colorful snacks, like fruit or treats.

Candles and coasters.

Set your favorite stack of coasters next to a single large candle.

Single colorful tray.

Place one decorative and brightly colored tray in the center of the table and store your coaster collection on top.

Card display.

If you receive cards from friends and family at the holidays or on your birthday, set them out in the center of your coffee table.

Two elegant items.

Pick two items you love, like a favorite sculptural piece and a travel souvenir, and display them together in the center of your table.

Decorative clock.

Place a decorative antique clock in the middle of the table. This doubles as a functional prop and offers extra aesthetic appeal.

Succulent pot.

Set one or two mini potted succulents in the center of the table for a natural touch.

Tips for more practical table décor.

No tablescape changes what coffee tables are for. To ensure your coffee table décor ideas are as practical as they are an expression of “you,” consider these tips:

• Think about how many people frequent the space. Are there many people needing places to set plates or drinks?
• Consider conversation starters. You might want to favor décor that serves as conversation starters in areas where you entertain.
• Don’t fill the table so much that no one can walk around it without disturbing the items on top.
• Always keep coasters on the table or nearby so that drinks don’t leave rings.
• Consider how your coffee table décor might play off your wall decoration ideas.
• Consider how your coffee table décor plays into your overall room decoration, too.
• Switch your coffee table design up often. You can always turn back to this list of coffee table décor ideas for something new.
• Capture each display in a keepsake photo, too. Make a collage of your favorites over time.

Exercise: How to tablescape items on a tray.

One of the most common coffee table décor ideas is to set a handful of decorative items on a tray. If you’ve tried that and wondered why it didn’t look right, though, here’s how to improve it:

1. Start with one large decorative serving dish or vase. This will be the largest item on your tray.

2. Then, choose one to three books that you want to show off.

3. Finally, add two to four small accessories and place them around the stack of books and the larger item.

You’ll discover that this curation of objects with different materials and heights is what makes a tray centerpiece work.

Adobe Express can help.

Adobe Express has templates and customization tools to put your favorite coffee table décor ideas to work. If you want to use coffee table décor ideas in cards, letters, posters, banners, photo collages, flyers, or other creative projects, Adobe Express makes it as simple as picking a template and personalizing it, or making your own idea with easy-to-use tools. Whatever message you want to transmit, Adobe Express brings it to life, no experience required.

Design with your idea