Round Coffee Table Decorating Ideas

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I've gotten so many emails from StoneGable readers asking, "How do I decorate a round coffee table"? I recently added one to my family room because I have been working to refresh it a bit. So today I want to show you how to style a round coffee table the easy way! I have a formula, like a recipe, for getting it right every time! Let's get started!

Going from a rectangle coffee table to a round was a smart decision in this room. I chose this round coffee table because it was not as long as my other rectangle coffee tables and gave me more space on either side of the sofa for legs to stretch out. Also, because this table was 36 inches in diameter it also did not protrude into the family room too much.

And of course, it is the perfect place for two toddlers to play on. And they love to set up zoos and farms and car and trucks and dinosaurs and all sorts of imaginary things on it. I also chose a sturdy table for that purpose.

Stying a round coffee table is so simple if you think of a triangle. Yes, lots of shapes in this post! But the triangle is the foundation for decorating a round table!

If your round table is small make the triangle smaller. And if it is bigger use bigger things to make the triangle bigger. Unlike a rectangle, table decor is not spread out linear.

Now let's get right down to the styling…

As always bring a bunch of decor to play with to style your table. Unfortunately, I did not have a stubby fat candle for this arrangement. I did have a very pretty blue container for a candle but I thought there was enough blue on the table. Then I thought about using dried split peas to the square container and nestle the votive in it. But as luck would have it no split peas in the pantry.

Note to self… put a stubby white candle and a bag of dried split peas on the shopping list!

Here are some things you might want to think about using in a round table arrangement…

low topiary
vase of flowers
candles and candleholders
books
small basket or tray
shallow bowl with filler such as moss balls, ornamental balls, pinecones
interesting vase without flowers
tall, narrow lantern
architectural elements

One thing to think about is the view of the people who will be sitting on your sofa. I'm keeping my arrangement low, low, low so we can see over it to watch tv.

Here are some tips to help you style the best round coffee table.

Be careful of adding too many round objects to a round table. Although one round item mimicking its shape is great!
Put the focal point item on the table first. For me, that's almost always the flowers or some organic beauty
Add something square or rectangle. I'm still looking for a small rectangle tray that would work with the size of my table. I used burlap covered books to create a rectangle item in the vignette.
Balance is very important. Choose things that are not too small or too big. Let your eye guide you.
Using different heights will make your coffee table look appealing!
Add a bit of texture to your arrangement. I used burlap covered books and a chunky bead garland.
Don't get crazy with color. Keep your vignette to three or four colors at most.
Add a bit of sparkle using fairy light or a candle or small lantern. So pretty!

If your round table has a bottom shelf there are two ways to style it. Use one big container, no matter the shape. Or use two rectangle arrangments. Like two groups of books. Keep it simple and in the same color family as the items on top. Under my round coffee table I keep a rectangle shaped basket with some design books that are blue.

These same tips will work for a round dining or kitchen table.