Few things have as much of an impact on a living room setup as a coffee table. It’s not just about having a place to chat with friends, or even the architecture of the coffee table. The decorations that you make can change a large portion of the ambiance that you have in the home.
You can’t go wrong with things that make you happy or look beautiful. You can go as traditional as you like or it could be something that is a little more far out. From chess sets to homemade gumball machines. Anything goes
Are you looking to make more of a statement with your coffee table? This guide will help you understand how to turn your decor into the right statement.
Before You Begin: The Right Amount Of Coffee Table Decor
You need to have something to give your coffee table a pop of style. Think about it: a coffee table that’s cluttered says you’re a mess, while a table with nothing on it seems sparse. There has to be an even balance. The question is, what is that balance?
Most coffee tables do well with a single centerpiece, or an odd number of items clustered closely together. Odd numbers give your table a more natural, inviting appearance—though why that design phenomenon occurs isn’t always easy to figure out.
Where Should Your Decorations Go?
Most of the time, the best place to put a coffee table decoration set is to put it at the center of the table, or slightly off-center. Putting it at the far edge of a table often makes the coffee table look lopsided.
What Should You Decorate Your Table With?
What you choose to decorate your table with is just as important as decorating them. We’re going to go through the basics.
Trays
A tray may seem like a very 1940s thing to have, but hear me out. It can help give you a place to display other decorative items and also adds a traditional touch to your table’s look. The key is to find an eye-catching tray that works with your style. Plus it makes it easy to clear the coffee table for other purposes!
A silver or gold tray like the one below is super versatile.
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Or go with a wood one to bring in some warm color
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Or a woven tray to add some texture to the room.
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The kind of tray you pick really depends on your decorating style! If you aren’t sure what your decorating style is take our new quiz here.
Books
Did you ever hear the term “coffee table book?” If so, you already know that this is a thing. Books give your table a smart, educated look. Most people prefer to use a small stack of them in the middle of the table, topped with a statue.
Choosing a large book filled with colorful photos is a must. Plus you can use the colors of the book cover to help created a color story in your room.
Our family loves books from our favorite travels.
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Or how about getting a book from a noted artist?
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Bowls of Fruit
Another old school choice that you can make is to use a bowl to carry fruit, elegant flowers, or decorative balls. This gives your coffee table a little bit of function, especially if you’re the type of person to eat an apple while you read the newspaper.
We often use the bowl on the coffee table as a place to put charades clues!
Heck, even the decorative bowl alone can make a wonderful statement in the right room.
Do you love farmhouse style?
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Are you a nut for mid-century modern?
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Are you a boho gal?
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Small Statues
Want to get a more modern decoration for your table? A small statue is a good place to start. When we say small, we mean no larger than seven inches in height. The statue shouldn’t overwhelm or hog space. It’s more about adding a punch of style without crowding out potential coffee plates.
Plus statues are fabulous for displaying your personality! Grab your kids old toy dinosaur collection and spray paint them gold. You have a quirky, low cost centerpiece that will get your guests talking.
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Choosing a light-colored statue is a good way to get a modern touch to your home.
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Potted Plants
It wouldn’t be a Millennial-friendly article without mentioning a potted plant as a piece of decor. Whether it’s a succulent, a small bush, or even a small patch of herbs doesn’t matter. What matters is that it’s green, helps boost the mood of your home, and also looks fabulous.
You don’t need to have a super fancy pot for this, either. Believe it or not, poured concrete planters are very in right now. It works well with both modern and contemporary homes.
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While we’re on the topic of potted plants, it’s good to know that you don’t have to have a green thumb to get this type of decoration in your home. If you want to avoid replacing dead plants, use faux flowers and fake succulents instead.
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Table Games
If you’re the type of person who enjoys entertaining people near the coffee table, it might be a good idea to get some classic table games. To get the decorative touch that you crave, it’s good to choose a game that has an “aesthetic” bent—such as chess, checkers, backgammon, or Jenga.
Do you love chess and want to have a game at the ready? Pick a beautiful set and keep it on display.
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This game can double as sculpture and always be ready to play a super fun and quick game.
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How Do You Choose The Right Coffee Table Decor For Your Home?
Truthfully, you can’t really go wrong with coffee table decor. Anything is better than nothing at all, so if you aren’t sure what to choose, don’t panic too much. With that said, these tips can help you narrow down what kind of decor will work well for you:
- Think about your personal style. If you’re not a person who finds books appealing, don’t get books. If you’re a modern furniture lover, you might want to avoid getting a weathered antique tray.
- Be realistic about how you use your coffee table. While most of the stuff we mentioned is purely decorative, sometimes, having a little function can be a good thing. If you don’t use your coffee table much, a small statue is fine. On the other hand, if you are a person who eats breakfast there, the fruit bowl makes way more sense.
- Match the decor to the color palette of the room. If you have a blue room, using decorations that have a blue tint (or keeping it neutral) will give your home a more elegant look.
- Don’t be afraid to switch things out seasonally. Seasonal decorations aren’t just for Christmas. You can get some pretty gorgeous decorations for almost every holiday out there.
- Make sure that you get coffee table decor that’s pet-friendly, if you have pets. Your dog might find a bowl of apples or oranges to be a tasty treat, for example. This could lead to serious vet bills.
- Never buy a coffee table book you wouldn’t want to read. It may seem like a silly thing to do, but it’s true. There are so many good coffee table books out there and it’s such a sin to waste money on a bad one.
How Much Table Decor Do You Really Need?
Decorations shouldn’t take up the entire table, obviously. Usually, one or two pieces of decor is perfect. A good rule of thumb to follow is that you should never buy more decorations than you’re willing to dust.
Conclusion
A coffee table never looks fully “dressed” without a little bit of decoration. Thankfully, this doesn’t have to be a major issue. You can always use illustrated books, potted plants, decorative bowls, or even the right table game to make your coffee table feel a little more homey.
If you want to have a little fun with it, try experimenting with different pieces of art or decoration. Chances are, you’ll be able to determine which decoration combination is the right one for you.
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