9 Easy Tricks to Style Your Coffee Table Like a Designer

If you’re like me and love flipping through magazines or scrolling beautiful coffee table books for decorating inspo, you’ve probably wondered how designers make those coffee tables look so effortlessly chic. Every piece feels intentional. Nothing’s random. There’s this perfect mix of personal touches and practical things, all arranged into a balanced little vignette that somehow just works.

But in real life? Yeah… styling a coffee table is not always that easy. It’s actually kind of tricky to hit that sweet spot between “too empty” and “wow, why is all of this here?” Still, with a few smart coffee table décor tricks pulled from pro interior design setups, you can totally recreate that designer look at home.

Think of it as a fun way to level up your living room design without spending a ton. Just a few tweaks can make your space feel more polished, more personal, and even a bit more like those luxury home décor spreads we all save on Pinterest.

Keep reading for simple, steal-worthy home styling tips designers swear by—so you can style your own coffee table like a pro, even if you’re working with a small space or a super busy room.

1. Style in sections

One of the simplest ways to style a coffee table—without overthinking it—is to break the surface into little sections. Got a square table? Imagine it split into four quadrants. Working with a round one? Picture it like a pie sliced into three. Super easy.

Then just build a tiny vignette in each section. You can mix in coffee table books, cute vases, candles, bowls, or any decorative objects you love. This trick adds variety without making the setup look messy, and it keeps everything feeling balanced and intentional.

It’s one of those interior design tips that looks fancy but is actually so doable, and it instantly upgrades your living room décor—even if you’re working with a small space or a more minimal style.

2. Corral items in a tray

Trays are basically the secret superpower of coffee table décor. Seriously—they can take a bunch of random stuff and make it look like a curated little vignette. They’re perfect for those small loose things we all have lying around… coasters, candles, the TV remote you keep losing, all of it.

And if you’re in a small apartment or use your coffee table for everything—board games, hosting friends, or even as your “oops, this is my dinner table now”—a tray is a lifesaver. You just pick it up and move the whole setup in one go. No fuss.

The best interior design setups aren’t just pretty; they’re practical too. A well-styled coffee table should fit your real life, not look like you’re living inside a furniture showroom. Function first, always—and trays make that so much easier.

3. Accessorize your candles

Candles are pretty much a must-have for any coffee table, but just plopping one down isn’t exactly styling. If you want that intentional, designer-ish look, try giving your candle a little “moment.” Set it on a small stack of books, place it on a stone or marble tray, or even pop a glass cloche over it for that instant luxury home décor feel.

These tiny styling tricks make everything look elevated—even if the candle itself was like six bucks from the bargain aisle. No one will know, and honestly, no one cares. It’s all about the vibe.

If you want to go a step further, add a cute candle snuffer, a wick trimmer, and a pretty match holder. These little accessories not only look chic, but they make your whole coffee table décor feel way more thoughtful and pulled together.

4. Prop open a book

Coffee table books are always a go-to décor piece, but stacking them isn’t the only way to use them. Instead of letting your books just sit there collecting dust, try opening one to a favorite page. It instantly gives your coffee table a more “lived-in but still stylish” vibe and actually invites you to flip through it instead of treating it like a prop.

If the book doesn’t stay open on its own (happens all the time), just pop it on a display stand or weigh it down with a cute paperweight. Super easy, and it makes your whole setup feel more personal and more like those modern home décor shots you see in designer spaces.

5. Add a bowl

A bowl or dish is one of those super underrated coffee table heroes, and honestly, you can go with any style you love. What makes bowls so great? For starters, the round shape breaks up all the straight lines from books, trays, and coasters. A little curve always helps the whole setup feel more balanced and visually interesting.

And bowls are crazy versatile. Fill one with anything—your matchbook collection, pretty seashells from a beach trip, crystals, whatever feels “you.” Or keep it totally practical and use it to hide the TV remotes while still keeping them easy to grab. It’s such a simple interior styling trick, but it instantly elevates your whole coffee table décor without trying too hard.

6. Layer, layer, layer

Designers are masters at layering pieces to get that effortlessly collected, high-end look. But honestly, don’t let that intimidate you—layering is way easier than it seems. Take a simple stack of books, for example. Instead of stopping there, add a little something on top… preferably an object with some height so it gives the whole setup more dimension.

And if you’re not sure what to use, go treasure hunting. Hit up a flea market, thrift shop, or antiques store and look for something eye-catching—a cool magnifying glass, a strand of beads, a sculptural paperweight, whatever grabs you. Adding just one unique piece can totally transform your coffee table décor and give it that elevated, designer vibe without spending a fortune.

7. Fill the entire space

No matter if your coffee table is huge or teeny-tiny, you want to make the most of the space you’ve got. If you’re working with a larger table (like the one in the photo you’re imagining), you’ll probably need more than one stack of books. Spread them out a bit so they fill the length of the table without looking overcrowded.

Then keep most of your décor grouped toward the center. That way, you still have plenty of room around the edges to drop a drink, park your Kindle, or toss whatever everyday essentials land there. It’s one of those interior design tips that keeps your coffee table décor looking intentional and still livable—because style should never get in the way of real life.

8. Display flowers or greenery in a vase

Adding a touch of nature is one of those classic designer moves that always works, and it’s super easy to copy on your own coffee table. Grab a cute vase—maybe you thrift a vintage one, maybe you snag something new from Amazon or Target (they’ve got tons of stylish, budget-friendly options). Either way, you really can’t mess this up.

Fill the vase with clippings from your yard if you’ve got them, or go for artificial flowers or branches to add some height and texture. If you choose faux stems, look for ones that actually look real and can bend a bit so you can shape them into the perfect little arrangement. It’s a simple trick, but it instantly upgrades your living room décor and gives your coffee table that fresh, magazine-ready vibe.

9. Experiment with funky accessories

Your coffee table is honestly one of the best places to show off a little of you. Don’t shy away from using those tiny tchotchkes you’ve picked up over the years or the random objects that just make you smile. Everything doesn’t need to match perfectly—in fact, it’s way more interesting when it doesn’t.

Mix in thrift-store treasures, travel souvenirs, little mementos, or quirky pieces you’ve collected along the way. Move things around until the setup feels personal and warm, like something you’d see in a cozy, lived-in interior design spread. When your coffee table décor reflects your personality, the whole room feels more inviting.