Decorating A Large Coffee Table: 9 Simple Tips That Work

Learn how to style a large coffee table with simple, practical tips. Get easy ways to layer decor, add personality, and use design principles to make your large coffee table look effortlessly stylish.

The large coffee table in our small living room right now was a happy accident. Last summer, I had the idea to use a rush-topped bench as a coffee table for something fresh and different. I was surprised by how well it worked with our small, open-concept living room. The only drawback was its width. It was narrow and a bit challenging to decorate. More importantly, it left too much open space in the center of the room and created a large gap between the sofa on one side and the fireplace and spindle chairs on the other. The coffee table was attractive and interesting, but the size made a room I hoped would feel cozy and inviting feel just the opposite.

Months later, and after trying two other coffee tables, I still could not stop thinking about how much I liked the rush seat bench in our living room. The idea stayed with me until one day, inspiration hit, and I thought, “What if I used two benches together as one large coffee table? The idea worked.

From the start, I wanted our living room to feel cozy and welcoming. A space where family and friends could gather, relax, and enjoy time together. My decorating style is comfortable, relaxed, and a little upscale. I wanted the living room to draw people in, inviting them to settle in for conversation or leaf through a favorite book with a drink nearby to sip on.

Using a large coffee table was one of the most important elements in making our living room feel more intimate. Even though the room is small, a large coffee table helped to connect the sofa on one side with the spindle chairs on the other. It became a natural hub for conversation and made the space feel warm and welcoming.

But finding the right coffee table is only the first step. Styling it in a way that enhances the room and adds to the overall design is just as important. Here are eight simple large coffee table styling tips that work every time.

How A Large Coffee Table Functions Differently

A large coffee table serves a different function than a small coffee table in several key ways:

1. Create a Central Gathering Spot – A large coffee table acts as a focal point in the living room, bringing together seating areas and making the space feel more connected. A small coffee table, on the other hand, may feel more like an accent piece rather than a true anchor.
2. Provides More Surface Space – A larger table offers ample room for styling, entertaining, and daily use. A small table requires more minimal styling and is often used just for essentials.
3. Enhances Balance and Scale – In a room or with a large seating arrangement, a small coffee table can feel undersized and disconnected. A large coffee table fills the visual space properly and creates a sense of proportion.
4. Encourages Conversation – Because a large coffee table spans more seating, it naturally makes conversation feel more inclusive, especially in an open-concept space. A small table may feel more intimate but might not reach all seating areas as easily.
5. Works for Layered Styling – With more surface area, a large coffee table allows for a mix of decorative elements like books, trays, vases, and candles without feeling cluttered. A small table requires more restraint in styling.

A large coffee table is not just about size. It affects the flow, function, and aesthetic of a room in a way a small coffee table often cannot.

Form And Function

A coffee table does so many jobs! It should be a balance of style and practicality, enhancing the look of a room while also serving a useful purpose.

Decor plays a big role in making a coffee table visually appealing, like varying heights, mixing textures, and layering decorative objects. A stack of books and a vase of flowers create interest and add to the overall aesthetic of a space.

At the same time, a coffee table needs to be functional. It should provide a convenient spot to set down a drink, store coasters, or even hold everyday essentials like the TV remote. When decorating a large coffee table, or any coffee table, keeping both beauty and usefulness in mind creates an inviting and practical space.

The Secret To Easy Large Coffee Table Decorating: Grids

I have a simple trick that makes decorating easier. For decades, I have broken down everything I decorate into a grid system. Without even realizing it at first, I would mentally divide bookshelves, tables, and even entire rooms into smaller, more manageable sections. When I started helping others decorate on the blog, I made this process more intentional. This formula works every time.

For my large coffee table, I created a six-box grid. To decorate, I filled three boxes (the rule of thirds) on one side to create symmetry while blurring the lines on the other side to introduce asymmetry and negative space. This keeps the arrangement balanced yet visually interesting.

The beauty of this method is its versatility. You can use it to style anything from a small end table to an entire room. By breaking a space into sections, decorating becomes much more approachable and easier.

Create A Focal Point

Every interior designer will tell you that a coffee table needs a focal point, something that draws the eye and adds personality to the space. A great way to achieve this is by creating a coffee table vignette. A vignette tells a story or offers a glimpse into your style and interests, making your space feel more curated and inviting.

For this simple coffee table decor, I started with a white rectangular tray to corral three carefully chosen items. The tray adds a nice flat surface to a vignette on our large coffee table. A potted plant, fresh flowers, or any organic element is an easy way to bring life, texture, and height to a coffee table. I replanted two small, interesting ferns in a pretty off-white footed planter. To complete the vignette, I added a lidded green candle and a set of butterscotch and white checkered coasters. These pieces created just the right amount of visual interest without competing with the fireplace and mantel, the true focal point of the room.

Baskets, trays, and large shallow bowls also work as a base for interesting vignettes.

Here are other items that look nice in a coffee table vignette:

• Books: Use books as risers within a coffee table vignette.
• Greenery: Florals like faux flowers, stems, moss, and other organics.
• Decorative Boxes and Bowls: Add personality and a place to hide items like remotes.
• Seasonal Décor: Seasonal decor adds a little nod to the season at hand.
• Candles or Lanterns – Brings warmth and ambiance to the arrangement.
• Small Framed Photo or Art – A personal touch that makes the space feel curated.
• Sculptures, Small Pieces, and Other Decorative Objects: Show off your personality by adding items you collect or that have special meaning to you and reflect your personal style.

Add Books

Books are wonderful items to use in a large coffee table vignette, but they also add a layer of decor when stacked on the coffee table. Especially big coffee table books, as there is room for them.

The three best reasons for layering books on a large coffee table are…

Adds Height and Layers – A stack of books creates varying heights, making your coffee table decor more visually interesting. It helps balance other decorative items like vases, candles, or sculptures.

Provides a Conversation Starter – Beautiful coffee table books or other books you have with interesting covers or topics that reflect your personality and style. Guests are naturally drawn to them, making them a great way to spark conversation.

Creates a Defined Base for Decor – Books act as a foundation for styling, helping to anchor smaller objects like decorative bowls, beads, or figurines. This keeps decor looking intentional and cohesive rather than scattered.

I chose four decorating books I enjoy for my coffee table, removing their jackets to reveal colors that complement my living room. I stacked them in pairs of two on opposite sides of one half of the table, adding a long decorative box between them to create balance and interest. The lidded box is a great storage option as it keeps matches to light the candle on the table.

Follow Good Interior Design Practices

Using tried and true interior design principles will make sure your large coffee table looks its best! These are principles that can’t help but create beauty and balance.

Here are the most important principles to consider…

• Vary Heights – Use objects of different heights to create visual interest and movement.
• Various Textures – Mix materials like wood, glass, metal, and fabric for depth and dimension.
• Symmetry and Asymmetry – Symmetry creates order, while asymmetry adds a relaxed, natural feel.
• Negative Space – Leaving some areas open prevents clutter and makes the arrangement feel intentional.
• Scale – Choose decor that fits the size of the table; use larger pieces for a big table and smaller ones for a compact look.
• Balance – Evenly distribute visual weight so one side does not feel heavier than the other.

Add A Little Personality

One of the most delightful things to add to a coffee table is a personal touch. These items could be something meaningful, quirky, or simply a piece that reflects your style. These small accents make a space feel curated and unique.

I placed a small turtle on a stacked book as a decorative accent. It’s one of my favorite things to use on a coffee table. When in the living room with family and friends, it gets picked up most often!

Flat surfaces like book stacks are perfect for displaying small decorative pieces, whether it is a brass turtle, a framed personal photo, or a marble figurine. These little details bring warmth and personality to a large coffee table, making it feel more inviting and lived-in.

Keep Coffee Table Clutter Away

Just because a large coffee table has more surfaces does not mean every bit of it needs to be decorated! When we over-decorate, our decor can come across as messy or cluttered.

Keep things neat, uncluttered, and don’t overcrowd a big coffee table!

Styling a large coffee table is all about creating a balance between beauty and function. Keep these simple tips in mind, adjust them to fit your style, and enjoy a well-designed space that feels both curated and welcoming.

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Happy decorating, friends!