How To Decorate A Round Coffee Table (18+ Brilliant Ideas)

This guide answers all your questions on the topic “How To Decorate A Round Coffee Table”.

A round coffee table is more than just a place to drop the remote. It is, so to speak, the heart of your living area and offers numerous possibilities for furnishing and decorating it.

Whether you love a clean, minimal look or prefer layering textures and colors, the right styling can turn even the simplest table into a stunning focal point.

In this post, I’ll not only walk you through 18+ versatile living room round coffee table decor ideas but I will also give you valuable tips on what makes great coffee table style and how you can decorate your coffee table in different styles, such as Scandinavian, boho, modern, or rustic.

From elegant trays to sculptural accents, fresh or dried florals, and clever seasonal touches, this blog post covers every style of your living room.

Are you not only looking for inspiration for your coffee table, but also want to decorate your living room walls? Then click here for 21 unique ideas.

This site includes affiliate links, meaning I may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you.

What Makes Good Coffee Table Styling?

A beautifully styled round coffee table can instantly influence the look and feel of your living room.

But what exactly makes a coffee table arrangement “work”?

It’s not just about placing a few pretty objects together; it’s about finding the right balance between form, colors and arrangement.

Here are a few simple but effective styling principles that can help you create a setup that’s visually appealing:

Rule of three: Grouping objects in odd numbers, especially in threes, makes the arrangement feel more natural to the eye. It adds composition without feeling too rigid or staged.

Mixing heights and textures: Vary the height of your objects with items like a tall vase, a low bowl, and a medium-sized candle, and layer different materials like wood, glass, ceramic, or fabric to add visual depth.

Coordinate colors or create contrasts: Stick to a cohesive color palette for a calm, unified look or go bold with high-contrast pieces to make the table pop.

Leave open for everyday use: A good coffee table setup should look great without being in the way. Make sure to leave enough space for practical things like your coffee mug or the TV remote.

Add personality: Include a stack of favorite books, a candle in your signature or favorite scent, or a small object with a personal story. These details make your setup truly yours.

Tips for different styles

No matter your interior style, your coffee table decor should feel like a natural extension of the room. Here are a few quick styling tips to help your round coffee table blend seamlessly into your overall look:

Skandinavian: If you want a typical Scandinavian look, stick to a neutral color palette. Materials you should go for are soft woods, simple ceramics, and maybe a single vase with greenery for a clean and calming vibe.

Did you know that Scandinavian style looks great not only in the living room, but also in the kitchen? If you need inspiration for your kitchen island (Scandinavian or not!), click here.

Boho: Mix textures like woven trays, stacked books, crystals, or dried florals to create a boho look.

Minimalistic: In this case: Less is more! Choose one or two carefully curated items, like a sculptural candle or a single book with a clean cover. Keep the color scheme quiet and cohesive.

Modern Glam: Go bold with metallic accents, glossy surfaces, and eye-catching objects like a gold-rimmed tray or a crystal vase. Add fresh flowers for a touch of elegance.

Rustic: Use raw or weathered materials like wood, stone, or iron. A candle in a mason jar, a bundle of dried lavender, or a vintage bowl are some examples.

If you want to decorate your entire living room in a rustic farmhouse style and are still looking for ideas, this post is the right for you.

Decor Ideas For Round Coffee Tables

These 18+ decor ideas for round coffee tables offer a mix of textures, different kinds of decor pieces and personal touches. From fresh flowers to bold statement pieces, there’s something here for every style and space.

1. Books With Small Vase On Top

A stack of beautiful books with a small vase on top is one of those circle coffee table decor ideas that always feels timeless.

I think it’s a perfect way to add height variation and a touch of softness, especially if you fill the vase with delicate stems like ranunculus, eucalyptus, or baby’s breath.

My tip: Choose books with covers that match your color palette, layer them by size, and let the vase act as your finishing touch to bring the whole setup to life.

2. Minimalistic Decor Piece With Candle

If you love a clean and calming aesthetic, a minimalist decor piece paired with a candle is a simple but meaningful way to style a round coffee table.

The key is choosing one sculptural object, like a smooth stone bowl, a matte ceramic piece, or a sleek metal tray, and adding a softly scented candle in a complementary tone.

Keep the color palette neutral, layer subtly with natural textures like linen or wood underneath. That’s how I would style the whole setup.

3. Two-Pieces-Coffee-Table

The biggest pro of a two-piece-coffee-table? It offers so much styling flexibility!

In my opinion it’s perfect if you love playing with balance, layering, or asymmetry in your decor.

I love the look of placing a taller vase with seasonal branches on the larger table, and styling the smaller one with a low tray, or a candle for contrast.

To make the setup feel cohesive, coordinate your color palette across both surfaces and play with texture, like combining matte ceramics, glass, and soft linen.

If you like asymmetrical looks more, you can put your decor only on one of the tables.

4. Tray With Small Plant Pot

One of my favorite simple tricks for coffee table decor for round table setups is styling a tray with a small plant pot.

It instantly makes the space feel alive.

I think a low, neutral-toned tray paired with a textured ceramic planter looks great on a round coffee table.

You can also layer in a scented candle or a stack of coasters, and choose a plant that suits your vibe, like a tiny fern for something fresh or a succulent for low-maintenance greenery.

5. Dried Flowers In a Vase

I absolutely love how dried flowers in a vase capture a sense of stillness and natural beauty that lasts all year.

In my opinion, they work in different types of vases well, either sculptural vases or more plain vases.

You can also mix textures of dried flowers, like pampas grass, bunny tails, and statice to create a lively and versatile arrangement.

For a polished look, I suggest placing the vase slightly off-center and pairing it with a stack of neutral-toned books or a sleek tray to anchor the composition.

Or you can leave the vase with dried flowers as a stand-alone centerpiece without any other decor pieces.

6. Tray With Flowers And Wood Element

A tray filled with fresh blooms and a warm wood accent instantly makes a round coffee table feel inviting.

I think this combo works especially well when you balance soft petals, like peonies or ranunculus, with a raw wooden bead garland or a small carved bowl.

To style it, I like to use a neutral tray as a base, then layer in a glass vase and one earthy detail to create that perfect mix of classiness and organic charm.

7. How To Decorate A Round Coffee Table: Greenery

Nothing breathes life into a round coffee table like a touch of lush greenery.

It instantly adds freshness and a hint of nature’s calm.

I love love looove using plants like a small potted fern, especially when paired with a sleek planter or woven basket to match my decor style.

In my opinion, it’s important to choose greenery that complements the table’s shape and size, placing it slightly off-center or next to a stack of books gives your styling a relaxed, effortless vibe.

8. Books & Succulent

What about tacking a couple of beautiful books and topping them with a tiny, sculptural succulent?

So easy but it makes an impression. I just love this combo!

I think the key is to choose books with cohesive tones or interesting covers, and opt for a small ceramic or stone planter to add just the right touch of texture.

Plus: It’s a great way to show off a favorite read while keeping the table feeling fresh.

9. Incense Sticks

In my opinion incense sticks are one of the most underrated small round coffee table decor ideas, especially when paired with a sleek ceramic tray or a vintage dish to catch the ash.

To make the look cohesive, I love choosing scents that match the season and mixing in one or two textured accents like a smooth stone, a book, small candles or a tiny dried flower arrangement.

10. Gold Decor Pieces

Gold decor pieces have a way of catching the light (and the eye!).

I personally love using a single gold accent, like a sculptural object or a metallic bowl.

There are two ways to incorporate gold decor in your living room.

1) Keeping it subtle: One or two golden touches are all you need to elevate your round coffee table without making it feel too much.

2) More is more: Like in the photo, your whole round coffee table can be gold and you can even put gold decor, like sculptural objects, trays or vases, on it. Please note, however, that in this case your coffee table will be an extravagant eye-catcher.

11. Unusual & Natural Round Coffee Table

If your coffee table already makes a statement (say, a raw-edge wood slab or a sculpted stone base), why not let its natural beauty shine for itself?

I think pieces like these don’t need much: I love adding just a low ceramic bowl or a simple stack of neutral-toned books to keep the look grounded but still intentional.

In my opinion, the trick is to complement the table’s texture instead of competing with it. Think earthy tones, organic shapes, and enough open space to let the material breathe.

12. Two-Pieces-Coffee-Table With Large Flower Vase & Decor Elements

Styling a two-piece coffee table is great to play with height, different textures and shapes.

I really like to place a large flower vase on one of the tables and scattering smaller decor pieces, like coasters, candles, or a sculptural object, on the other to create balance.

In this case, I think it’s important to let the flowers add volume and movement while the secondary elements bring in texture. Just be sure to leave some open space so the setup feels airy and not overcrowded.

13. Single Coffee Table Book

Sometimes, less truly is more and in my opinion, a single, well-chosen coffee table book can be all you need to make a statement.

I love picking one with a beautiful spine and an inspiring cover that reflects my personality or interests.

Design, photography, or travel are always good choices.

For an effortless decor for round glass coffee tables, center the book neatly.

If you want a little more, pair it with a delicate object like a sleek candle or a glass paperweight.

14. How To Decorate A Round Coffee Table: Statement Lamp

If you ask me, nothing transforms a space quite like a bold statement lamp. And yes, it can absolutely live on a round coffee table.

I think it works best when the lamp has an eye-catching shape or unexpected material, like marble, rattan, or colored glass, that adds texture or color without overwhelming the space.

To keep the look balanced, I like to place the lamp slightly off-center and pair it with a stack of design books or a small tray to leave room for everyday use.

15. Small Candles

There’s something undeniably cozy about small candles flickering on a round coffee table.

When thinking about how to decorate a small round coffee table, candles are the perfect way to add ambiance while keeping things simple.

If you want to, you can choose candles with a subtle scent that suits the season!

I love clustering two or three candles in different shapes or heights on a pretty tray; it adds just the right glow without taking up too much space.

16. Magazines

If you’re a fan of effortlessness, magazines might just be your new favorite styling trick.

I think it’s a good idea to layer two or three issues with bold covers. Magazines about fashion, design, or travel always work well.

To finish the look, you can place a sculptural object on top as well.

In my opinion, the key is to fan them slightly or stack them neatly depending on your table’s shape and size, making them both stylish and ready for guests to flip through.

17. Small Vases With Fresh & Dried Flowers

You’re looking to add charm without overwhelming your table? Small vases with a mix of fresh and dried flowers might be the one for you!

They are one of my favorite ideas for round coffee table decor.

I love pairing a petite ceramic vase filled with eucalyptus or bunny tails next to a smaller glass bud vase with a single seasonal bloom.

Grouping two or three at different heights works best, especially when you anchor them with a tray or layer them over a stack of books.

18. How To Decorate A Round Coffee Table: Porcelain Box

If you’re drawn to pieces that feel timeless, personal and chic, a porcelain box is such a lovely addition to a round coffee table.

I think it adds just the right touch of elegance while also serving a purpose, for example to store tiny keepsakes or cookies.

If you ask me, it looks especially charming when placed on a wooden tray beside a small stack of books and a touch of greenery, creating an inviting arrangement.

19. Black & White

Black and white decor pieces instantly add contrast and dimension to any round coffee table.

For example you could pair a glossy black candle holder with a matte white ceramic bowl or a small striped vase for that high-contrast look.

If you want to keep the monochrome palette dynamic and visually interesting, the key is to play with texture. Think smooth, woven, or even marbled surfaces.

Final Thoughts

Styling a round coffee table is all about balance and a touch of creativity.

Whether you’re drawn to natural textures, bold statement pieces, or minimalistic elegance, there’s no single “right” way to decorate.

With a mix of thoughtful elements like books, greenery, candles, or ceramics, your round coffee table can easily become the beautiful heart of your living space.