How to Decorate a Coffee Table Cheaply (4 Ways)

In this how-to guide, you’ll learn how to decorate a coffee table four different ways! I’m all about budget and style, and each of these methods delivers on both.

Decorating a coffee table doesn’t have to be expensive. You don’t need to have an expensive fresh flower arrangement each week and you don’t need to buy expensive coffee table decor. There are plenty of ways to decorate a coffee table with budget-friendly decor and still have it look amazing!

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Things to consider when decorating your coffee table

There are a few things to consider when decorating your coffee table, including:

• Coming up with a decor color scheme
• Choosing the types of decor you want to use
• Placing them as groupings

Come up with a decor color scheme

First, you’ll want to determine a color scheme for your coffee table decor. I usually like to keep it pretty neutral and throw in some pink hues, for everyday coffee table decor.

If I’m decorating my coffee table for a season, then I’ll usually choose a color that is more suited for that season. I like to mix up my coffee table decor in fall, Christmas, and winter time. Then, I usually go back to my pink and green hues in the spring and summer months.

For the examples below, I choose the colors pink, green, white, and beige. Shocker! 😉

When you’re thinking of a color scheme, think not just about what colors you love but also what types of decor you already own that will fit your color scheme.

I love the idea of keeping it neutral and then choosing one or two other colors to incorporate. Blue tones are always beautiful if you’re looking for an everyday color to include!

Choose types of decor to use on your coffee table

There are lots of decor options to use on a coffee table. You can get creative by mixing items up in different ways or adding a special decorative accent piece that you love!

Here are my favorite decor pieces to use on a coffee table:

• Flowers in a vase (faux or fresh)
• Empty vase/jug
• Potted plants
• Pillar candles
• Taper candles
• Jar candles
• Antlers
• A tray
• Books (antique or coffee table books)
• Dough bowl
• Faux greenery stems
• Blankets/pillows on the bottom

The decorative pieces on my list aren’t overly expensive.

Here are some tips to keep decor budget friendly:

• Consider investing in a bunch of faux flower stems so you don’t have to constantly replace a fresh flower arrangement
• Use antique books or ones you’re not using and wrap them in white wrapping paper from The Dollar Store. You don’t need to invest in high-end coffee table books
• Use inexpensive candles from Walmart or Michaels instead of name brand candles

How to decorate your coffee table: 4 ways

Look one: Four groupings with books

Depending on how large your coffee table, you could either do one, two, three, or four groupings. My coffee table is really large, so I can do up to four groupings.

In this example, I have four groupings, three of which are book groupings.

I have tons of books that are wrapped in white wrapping paper on my bookshelves. Sometimes I like to pull some books off my shelves and put them on my coffee table. Since they’re wrapped in white wrapping paper, they have a clean, simple look on my table.

You don’t always have to invest in high-end coffee table books, although I do have a few…more on that below.

This look is so simple because all the books look similar, so you really can’t go wrong decorating!

Look two: Dough bowl with candles

I originally purchases this thin, long dough bowl to put under on top my mantel, under my TV. I do love it there, but sometimes I like to put it on my coffee table.

There are tons of different sized dough bowls and different types you could use. The beauty of using a dough bowl is that it’s the centerpiece of the table and you won’t need to style anything outside of the dough bowl.

Here are some beautiful dough bowls:

As far as decor inside the dough bowl, I suggest either candles (if is has a flat bottom), faux stems laid on it, or moss balls. Antlers are also a staple item for me, and I love how they look peeking over the bowl.

Look three: Styled tray

Styling a tray on your coffee table gives you the ability to incorporate all the fun, small decorative pieces you own!

I have this large wicker tray that I love because it’s versatile for indoor/outdoor use.

Here are some great tray options:

If you have lots of small decorative items, this could be a great option for you!

Items to display in a tray:

• small candles
• mall picture frame
• books
• small potted plants
• small signs
• small faux flower stems
• coasters
• other small trinkets

Look four: Taper candles with flowers

This is a scaled down look from look number one, as there are only two groupings. It’s also the most romantic look!

Anytime you use taper candles with hurricane candle holders, they always look soft and elegant, creating a romantic look.

I used my three coffee table books that I own in this look, which include Homebody, Fraiche Food Full Hearts, and Cozy White Cottage. If you want to invest in some coffee table books, just make sure you get hardback books!

How to decorate the bottom shelf of your coffee table

Some coffee tables don’t have bottom shelves, and if that’s the case for you, you can ignore this section!

If you have a bottom shelf, you could put items there or you could keep it empty.

I either keep it empty, put extra couch pillow there or put my favorite cozy knit blanket there. Other ideas include stacking additional books there or putting a bin or basket there.

I hope these coffee table looks gave you some inspiration for your own coffee table!