This guide answers all your questions on the topic “how to decorate a round coffee table”.

Imagine walking into a living room and being greeted by a round coffee table, which may be ushering in books with interesting works of art on their covers or an exquisite vase holding fresh tulips and a flickering candle.

A round coffee table is not just a place to dump the remote. It is the heart and soul of your living space and offers plenty of room to furnish and decorate it.

Whether you’re a lover of simplicity, a fan of cosy Scandi hygge or just want to eat your morning toast surrounded by beauty, there are various options to bring that perfectly styled table into your home.

In this blog 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 stylish trays to super chic florals and even a few colorful accents, you will love the course this blog post sets for 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 living room decor ideas for walls.

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What Makes Good Coffee Table Styling?

Okay, so you want to design a round coffee table, but you’re asking yourself: Exactly what gives a circular coffee table aesthetic appeal?

I mean, it’s really more than simply combining a few lovely items.

Finding the appropriate balance among the three elements shape, color and composition is really what it is all about.

Here are some styling tips that will help you to design a coffee table that you will be happy with:

Odd numbers are more aesthetically pleasing. Three is a perfect number to collaborate with. It strikes exactly the correct balance of composition without the arrangement seeming too fixed or excessively decorated.

Let’s talk about mixing textures and heights. For example, blend a tall vase, low bowl and medium height candle. Layer with many materials as well (wood, glass, ceramic or fabric) for visual dimension.

And last but not least: Either stick to a color scheme or generate contrast. Concentrate on producing a soothing, harmonic look by remaining to a color palette or create a bold contrast.

Tips For Different Styles

Your coffee table should match the vibe of your living room. Here’s how to style it depending on what look you’re going for:

Scandinavian: Keep it neutral and natural. Light wood, simple white or gray ceramics, maybe one vase with some eucalyptus or branches. That’s basically it. Clean and calm.

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!), read my blog post on kitchen island decor ideas.

Boho: Layer different textures. A woven tray, some stacked books, maybe a crystal or two, dried pampas grass. The more tactile variety, the better. It should feel collected over time, not matchy-matchy.

Minimalist: One or two things, max. A sculptural candle, a book with a nice cover. Stick to neutral colors and let the empty space do the talking. Less really is more here.

Modern Glam: Go shiny. Gold tray, crystal vase, something that catches the light. Fresh flowers help too. They add life without killing the polished vibe.

Rustic: Raw materials. Chunky wood, old metal, stone. Candles in mason jars work or a bowl that looks like it’s been around awhile. Dried lavender if you want to get specific.

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

Decor Ideas For Round Coffee Tables

These 18+ decor ideas for round coffee tables offer a mix of different kinds of decor pieces and personal touches.

No matter if you like fresh flowers or bold statement pieces, there’s something here for every style and space, I believe.

1. Books With Small Vase On Top

This look always makes an impression and is quick to create.

Stack a few attractive coffee table books on top of each other, two or three pieces, and place a small vase on top.

Personally, I think delicate flowers or plants in a vase on top look best, e.g. ranunculus, eucalyptus or baby’s breath.

2. Minimalistic Decor Piece With Candle

The next style captivates with its simplicity, which is nevertheless expressive.

Find a sculptural object with a candle holder and place a candle in the same color palette inside it.

Depending on what the sculptural object looks like, there may be room for other decor items, such as a bowl of shells, as shown in the photo.

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.

To make the setup feel cohesive, coordinate your color palette across both surfaces. You can also 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

This simple idea requires just a few decorative items: A tray, a small plant, a candle or whatever else you like.

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

5. Dried Flowers In A Vase

Dried flowers are one of those things I keep coming back to.

They last forever, which is nice when you’re tired of replacing fresh ones every week.

They work in pretty much any vase. Something sculptural and interesting or just a plain glass cylinder. It doesn’t really matter.

Mix different textures if you want it to look more dynamic, pampas grass with bunny tails and statice, stuff like that. This keeps it from looking flat.

You can put the vase a bit off-center on your table and add some neutral books or a tray next to it. It helps ground the whole thing.

Or honestly, just leave it on its own. Sometimes one good arrangement is all you need.

6. Tray With Flowers & Wood Element

This decorative idea combines several elements and looks interesting and fresh.

To style it, I like to use a neutral tray as a base, then layer in a glass vase and one earthy detail to bring in organic charm.

Alternatively, you can also decorate the tray with tea lights, candles or other decorative elements.

7. How To Decorate A Round Coffee Table: Greenery

Plants on a coffee table just make everything feel fresher and calmer. It’s an easy win.

I’m kind of obsessed with small potted ferns, especially in a nice planter or woven basket.

It fits my style and doesn’t take up too much room.

Just make sure the plant fits the table. A tiny succulent on a huge coffee table looks sad. A massive fern on a small table looks crowded.

And don’t center it perfectly, put it a bit to the side, maybe next to some books. It looks more natural that way.

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 bring in a little bit of texture.

Plus: It’s a great way to show off a favorite read.

9. Incense Sticks

In my opinion incense sticks are a decorative idea that isn’t often used.

I love choosing scents that suit the season.

You could pair the sticks with a sleek ceramic tray or a vintage dish to catch the ash. Another idea is to mix in one or two textured elements like a stone, a book or a candle.

10. Gold Decor Pieces

Gold decor pieces catch the light and the eye!

I personally like using a single gold accent as a highlight, 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 upgrade your round coffee table without overpowering it.

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 that in this case your coffee table will be an extravagant eye-catcher.

11. Unusual & Natural Round Coffee Table

Do you have a coffee table that makes a statement all on its own? Then let it speak for itself.

I think eye-catching coffee tables don’t need much. You could add a low ceramic bowl or a simple stack of neutral-toned books and you’re done.

When it comes to decorating, I recommend relying on earthy tones, organic shapes and enough open space so the coffee table can make an impression.

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

A two-piece coffee table offers many different possibilities for decoration.

Because it consists of two parts, you can play with heights and (a)symmetries. This creates a dynamic look.

For example, you could place a large flower vase on one table and tea lights, lanterns or a small bowl on the other.

I would just make sure that you leave enough free space on both tables so that they don’t look overloaded.

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 recommend to pick one with a beautiful spine and cover that reflects your personality or interests. Design, photography or travel are always good choices.

I’d center the book on the coffee table so it gets all the attention.

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

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

Are you looking for a place for a light source anyway? Then you could also put a lamp on your coffee table.

I think the look works best when the lamp has an eye-catching shape or special material, like marble, rattan or colored glass. This makes it stand out even more.

If the lamp alone is not enough for you, you can place the lamp slightly off-center and pair it with a stack of design books or a small tray.

15. Small Candles

There’s something so cozy about a round coffee table that is decorated with small candles.

I like clustering two or three candles in different shapes or heights on a pretty tray.

That way you can bring ambiance to your living room but without a lot of effort.

If you want to, you can also choose candles with a subtle scent.

16. Magazines

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

Just layer two or three issues with bold covers on your coffee table and just like that, you have a decoration idea that will also delight your guests, because it will always provide plenty of reading material.

Magazines about fashion, design or travel always work well.

I recommend to fan the magazines slightly or stack them neatly depending on your table’s size.

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

17. Small Vases With Fresh & Dried Flowers

Small vases with a mix of fresh and dried flowers work really well together on a coffee table.

Try pairing a little ceramic vase with eucalyptus or bunny tails next to a tiny glass one with a single fresh flower.

The contrast between textures makes it more interesting.

Or group a few vases at different heights, two or three max. Set them on a tray or stack some books under one to vary the levels even more.

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.

It doesn’t only look elegant but also stores tiny keepsakes or cookies.

And it allows you to place other decor items next to it, e.g. candles or a small vase. Alternatively, you could place the porcelain box on a coffee table book.

19. Black & White

Black and white pieces on a coffee table create clean, strong contrast.

Good option if you’re not into color.

The key is mixing different materials so it doesn’t look flat. Glossy black next to matte white.
Smooth ceramic next to woven wicker. That kind of thing.

A shiny black candle holder with a matte white bowl works. Or a striped vase next to something solid. Just vary the textures and finishes so there’s some visual interest.

Bringing It Full Circle: Coffee Table Styling Made Easy

There are a lot of opportunities to style a round coffee table.

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

With a few “rules” to help you create a visually harmonious coffee table and if you give your creativity free rein, you are guaranteed to succeed in designing a great coffee table.