The center table is often overlooked when it comes to decorating a living room. But this key furniture piece has the power to make or break your entire space. Placing a vase of fresh flowers, stack of books, or other decorative accents on your center table is an easy way to elevate the look and feel of your living room.
Read on for clever tips and ideas to decorate your center table with purpose and style.
Why Your Center Table Matters in Living Room Decor
In many living rooms, the center table serves as the focal point of the space. It catches your eye when you enter the room and sets the tone for the ambiance. A bare, empty center table looks unfinished and takes away from the room’s aesthetic. But a thoughtfully decorated table pulls the whole room together and makes it feel complete.
The center table also provides an opportunity to showcase your personal taste. The items you choose to place on it act as an extension of your style. It allows you to bring in colors, textures, and accessories that reflect who you are. So take advantage of this decorating opportunity to infuse your personality into the living room.
Center Table Decorating Tips and Tricks
Choose Items That Reflect Your Style
When selecting decor for your center table, choose items that coordinate with your existing living room decor. Match the color scheme and style as closely as possible for a cohesive look. Whether your aesthetic is vintage, modern, rustic, minimalist, or traditional, your center table decor should be reflective of that.
For example, fill your table with aged books, curios, and distressed wood decor items for a vintage farmhouse feel. Or opt for sleek vases, sculptures, and picture frames for a contemporary style. Your center table is the perfect place to showcase decorative pieces you love in order to create a personalized space.
Multi-Purpose Decor
Look for center table decor items that can serve double duty by providing both form and function. Stacked books and trays to corral remote controls keep everyday items orderly while acting as decor. Candles provide mood lighting along with visual appeal. Decorative bowls do the job of holding keys or mail in style.
Incorporating functional decor makes your center table useful in addition to just being visually appealing. Items that multitask help maximize the table’s potential while keeping surfaces organized and clutter-free.
Create Visually Appealing Vignettes
Arrange your center table decor into aesthetically pleasing vignettes or mini scenes. Group items together based on color, texture, shape, and height to create an interesting composition. Place decor on top of decorative trays and risers for dimension and depth.
Aim for an artful blend of natural elements, metallic accents, photos, candlesticks, and keepsakes. Edit out decor that doesn’t fit into your vignette’s theme. The finishing touch? Position your vignettes on top of decorative table runners boasting colors and patterns that tie everything together.
Shop Your Home First
Before buying any new center table decor, take inventory of what you already have on hand. Look around your home for potential items to repurpose – you may be surprised at what you uncover. From fruit bowls in the kitchen to unused vases in the hall closet, you likely have many decor finds hiding in plain sight.
DIY projects utilizing scrap fabric, collected rocks or shells, and other supplies are also an easy way to decorate your table without spending money. With a bit of imagination, you can give everyday pieces a second life in your living room.
Easy Center Table Decor Ideas
Fresh Greenery
For easy living room refresh, brighten up your center table with fresh florals and greenery. A vase overflowing with colorful blooms instantly livens up the room. Or create interest with a trio of varying height vases and a mix of flowers and foliage.
Houseplants are another simple way to bring life to your center table. Choose low-maintenance varieties like succulents, snake plants, or air plants. Their sculptural shapes and textures make them ideal centerpieces. For seasonal appeal, adorn your table with holiday wreaths and poinsettias during winter.
Candles and Candleholders
Candles never go out of style when it comes to center table decor. Scented and colored pillars candles, clustered votives, or rustic lantern candles all make great additions. For visual interest, vary candle heights, styles and arrange them creatively – in the center, along the edges, or clustered together.
Don’t forget the candleholders! Metal, ceramic, or glass holders in coordinating finishes can beautifully complement your candles. Place candles and holders atop decorative trays to bring all the elements together in a stylish vignette.
Trays for Corralling Clutter
Trays are versatile center table decor that can conceal unsightly remote controls, coasters, keys, and other everyday clutter. Choose metal, wood, rattan, or mirrored trays to stylishly corral and contain items.
For lots of style, stack and layer trays in different sizes and finishes. Or go for a single oversized tray with candles, books, and objects artfully arranged on top. Trays bring order in a decorative way.
Textures and Layers with Throws
Cozy up your center table by layering it with plush throws and blankets. Rolled or folded textured throws in cable knit, crochet, or faux fur fabrics add warmth. Drape them over part of the table or across its entirety for a decorative effect.
Go for neutral solids or experiment with fun patterns and colors that pop against your existing decor. The beautiful textures and fabrics make for an inviting, liveable space.
Sculptural Art as Centerpieces
In lieu of florals, make a sculptural artwork the star of your center table. Ceramics, metalwork, and glasswork like vases, bowls, boxes, and figurines all create visual interest. Place your statement piece front and center.
For extra styling, adorn your sculpture with blooms, candles, pinecones, or other accent pieces. The result is an eye-catching work of art that instantly becomes a conversation starter for guests.
Finishing Touches
A few final embellishments can take your center table from simple to striking. Incorporate lighting like a stylish table lamp or string lights for ambiance. Display favorite framed family photos to give the space a personal touch.
Collectibles like sea shells, geodes, or coffee table books also make meaningful additions. Just be sure not to overcrowd the table. Edit down to your very favorite cherished items for the best effect.
The final step? Change up your center table decor seasonally to keep it fresh. Rotate winter garlands and candlesticks with spring flower arrangements and summer seashells. Discovering new creative ways to style it will never get old.
Tailor your center table decor approach based on your living room’s style. Formal, elegant living rooms call for ornate accent pieces like mercury glass vases and gilded frames. Rustic farmhouse rooms feel right at home with worn wood crates, potted succulents, and floral runner accents.
In a midcentury modern space, opt for geometric ceramics and metallic sculptures. Bohemian and eclectic rooms are your chance to display cherished books and artwork in creative vignettes. Your center table decor should feel cohesive with the rest of the aesthetic.
Use your center table to elevate your living room style. With the right decorative touches, this overlooked furniture piece can truly shine and pull your whole space together. So embrace your style creativity – your center table is just waiting to be transformed into a conversational focal point!
