Are you looking for some decorating coffee table ideas? Would you like to transform your coffee table into a stylish and functional focal point in your living area? Today you will learn the secret to creative coffee table decorating.
We will look at several coffee table decorating options and explore some ideas to help you get started.
Decorating Coffee Table Ideas – Where To Start
Here are some things to consider when decorating a coffee table.

- Start with a foundation. This could be a tray, a piece of fabric, a vintage picture frame, a toolbox, or a large bowl. The foundation will help ground your other décor and keep it from looking cluttered. My favorite foundation is a large wooden antique bowl. I’ve used it several times and can change the decor accessories seasonally.
- Choose a style that reflects your personality and home décor. Do you prefer a modern, minimalist look? Or something more traditional and ornate? Once you know what you’re going for, you can start shopping for items that will fit the bill.
- Add layers. This is where you can really have fun with your coffee table décor. Layer books, magazines, candles, flowers, and other items to create a visually interesting display.
- Don’t forget the functional items. In addition to décor, you’ll also want to make sure your coffee table has a place for all of the essentials, like coasters and snacks.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to coffee table décor. The most important thing is to have fun and create a space that you love.
- Make A Statement. You can make a statement by adding a large accessory to the center of your coffee table. A large floral arrangement or a large bowl with several bottles or glass ornaments.
When fresh blooms are available, fill a large container and let that be your statement centerpiece for coffee table decorating.
The flowers don’t have to be real. Let’s take a look at these gorgeous faux orchids.
Pro Tip – The Secret To Coffee Table Decorating
When out thrifting or vintage shopping, look for oversized containers to use on your coffee table. The secret to coffee table decorating is starting with a statement piece for the foundation.
- Large wooden bowls
- Old vintage boxes
- Vintage Tool Boxes
- Unique Concrete statuaries or planters
- Large tureens (if the lid is missing YAY! It should be a better deal.)
- Large Basket or Basket Tray
- Large Trays
- Old Picture Frames
- Remember, when thrifting, if the color isn’t right you can always paint it.
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Coffee Table Decorating Ideas
Here are some helpful coffee table decorating ideas that will give you inspiration to get started.
Vintage Tool Box
This vintage wooden toolbox is always a favorite for the center of the coffee table. It is easy to change out the decor seasonally with more vintage pieces.
Gather thrift store finds together in the tools box to decorate the coffee table for Valentine’s Day.
The toolbox is filled with vintage books, candlesticks, and rolls of book pages.
Old Wooden Box
This vintage encyclopedia box is handy for decorating a coffee table for any season. It’s a great statement piece and is easy to fill.
Vintage crocks and earthenware are all gathered inside the box, along with pumpkins and fall florals decorated for fall. Even the box lid serves as a foundation for additional fall decor.
For Christmas, a trio of frosted Christmas Trees fill the box and take centerstage on the coffee table.
Garden Decor
Bring outdoor garden accessories inside to create visual interest on the coffee table.
If you are not using a foundation piece, group items together in clusters for a more cohesive look.
A concrete swan is mixed with a hurricane lantern, chunky candlesticks, and coffee table books for a garden-inspired coffee table vignette.
The swan and lantern are both great statement pieces and work well together to anchor the decorations.
Roadside Trash To Treasure
A roadside wooden ice cream churn gets a new life as a coffee table decorating idea.
The oversized container makes a statement when filled with fresh flowers as the table centerpiece. Only a few accessories are needed to complete the table vignette.
Basket for Gathering
Add a basket or basket tray as a foundation to anchor your coffee table vignette. Gather books, vases, greenery, and more to create a charming vignette.
Use Coffee Table For Dining
Plan a casual dinner, coffee, or afternoon cocktails around the coffee table.
Keep the floral arrangement simple to allow for the dishes, cutlery, glasses, and food.
Use contrasting colors and textures to add depth and dimension.
You can see more about these porch coffee table ideas on Best Porch Ideas for Easter & Top 10 Ideas for Ideal Porch Sitting
Foraged Coffee Table Arrangement
A great budget-friendly approach to decorating a coffee table is to fill a container with foraged greenery or dried corn husks.
Gather From Around The House
When planning a coffee table vignette, gather items from around your house. Using your decor in new and interesting ways will keep your things feeling fresh.
The large bowl looks great for Spring & Summer with the addition of topiaries and a collection of green bottles that were previously on the screened porch.
Use a variety of shapes and sizes to create visual interest.
Decorating a Coffee Table For A Summer – Artificial Flower Centerpiece
First, let’s take a look at another way to update the wooden bowl on my coffee table. I received these gorgeous faux orchids from Prestige Botanicals and immediately knew they would be stunning in the bowl.
Because the coffee table is located in the center of the room, they were perfect for creating a center piece that looks good from every direction.
Materials Needed For Coffee Table Arrangement
Y’all know I like to use items I have on hand, if possible, and today’s tutorial is no exception. The faux orchid stems are approx. 32″ tall and would require a heavy container to hold them upright.
To fill the bottom of the bowl, I began with three of my old terra cotta pots and a metal cake stand. In addition, I added a faux bird to add interest to the arrangement.
Next, to secure the faux orchids into the terra cotta pots, I securely place the stem into the weep hole at the bottom and then fill in around the stem with plastic grocery bags. Keep stuffing the bags into the pot until the branch is secure and will not tip over.
You can also use small pebbles or glass beads to fill in around the stems. I didn’t have any on hand, and the plastic bags worked fine.
Now, place all the secured stems back into the bowl and fill in around the pots with more plastic bags or tissue paper.
Because the bowl is deep, you want to add filler to the bottom of the bowl to avoid using an excess of Spanish moss.
Once the bowl is relatively full, layer Spanish moss over the plastic and terra cotta pots, I used natural moss as a first layer and then green moss over the top. Be sure to cover all exposed plastic.
Coffee Table Decorations Viewed From All Angles
The challenge of a centrally located coffee table is decorating it to be viewed from all angles. The orchid floral arrangement works really well in this spot.
The coffee table is easily viewed from the front entrance of the farmhouse.
Other Seasonal Views of the Coffee Table Decorations
The coffee table gets constantly updated each season. Here are a few of the seasonal changes that have occurred recently.
The wooden bowl looks lovely and smells just as good with lilacs and ironstone from this spring.
Christmas is the perfect time to fill the bowl with lots of festive treasures.
To see how the side table was transformed, click here.
For fall bring out the thrifted amber bottles and cozy flicker candles.
A Thanksgiving theme fills the coffee table bowl from last fall. A combination of thrifted amber bottles, cute bird pilgrims under a glass cloche, and fall florals.
Thank you so much for stopping by today. I appreciate your input and comments.
Pin It To Remember It
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MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!)
Thursday 4th of May 2023
Rachel, I absolutely love ALL of your coffee table arrangements! You do a fabulous job with everything you do. I really like that lovely round wooden bowl. I sure wish I could find one. Our shops where we live are nothing like what you have in your area!
Rachel
Friday 5th of May 2023
Mary Ann, Thank you for your sweet comments. I'm so glad you liked these ideas.
CoCo
Wednesday 3rd of May 2023
Love this post so much, Rachel! I'm definitely going to share it on Friday. Thank you for all these fabulous ideas. Decorating the coffee table is not always easy, especially, when you have curious pets. These ideas are all totally doable and make me want to go thrifting ASAP! Hugs, CoCo
Rachel
Friday 5th of May 2023
CoCo, I'm always looking for unique ways to decorate the farmhouse.
Renae
Wednesday 3rd of May 2023
So many great ideas. That bowl is absolutely stunning! Hugs to you.
Rachel
Friday 5th of May 2023
Renae, I appreciate this.
Kim | Shiplap and Shells
Friday 28th of May 2021
I always love to see how you style your coffee table for the seasons. So beautiful!
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Saturday 29th of May 2021
Kim, I really appreciate this.
Cindy
Thursday 27th of May 2021
Always love seeing style this coffee table.
Great flowers
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Thursday 27th of May 2021
Cindy, Thanks so much. I appreciate you for stopping by.