Simply Stunning Christmas Coffee Table Decor
It’s the most wonderful time of the year where you get free reign to transform your home into a gorgeous, festive wonderland. I love to deck the halls with my favorite garlands, ornaments, and trimmings. But my coffee table has always been a struggle to get the right balance of Christmas sparkle while still being functional for everyday living.
If your coffee table is feeling less than festive, here are three easy, no-fail ways to get a stunning look for your Christmas coffee table decor that is Santa approved.
Christmas Coffee Decor Basics
There are a million ways to style a coffee table. But if you want a sophisticated, timeless holiday look with minimal effort, these three options are by far the best, and most affordable.
Christmas Coffee Decor Option 1: Build With Books
I love this decor style because it gives an interesting, layered feel and uses the tried and true design rule of threes. The Rule Of Three is a simple visual trick using three decor pieces of various heights to create visual impact. A stack of books add a textural element, while doing double duty as a riser for smaller decor pieces.
Lay The Foundation
Every good Christmas coffee table centerpiece starts with a strong foundation. For this Christmas coffee table decor arrangement, start by using a pretty rectangular tray as a base.
Trays are a wonderful tool to keep your Christmas decor contained, and create a visual focal point. Plus, if you need to move your centerpiece display, you can easily pick up the tray and temporarily move it while watching TV.
Add Height With Books
One of my favorite tricks for adding height to my coffee table decor is by stacking two large books to one side of the tray. The first base layer book on the bottom layer should be a slightly larger size than the second book on top to create a pyramid effect that naturally draws the eye upwards.
Group In Threes
One foundational design guideline when creating your Christmas coffee table decor is to group in odd numbers. Odd numbers create visual interest because they don’t easily form into symmetrical pairs. Use three items of various heights to create a more engaging and energetic arrangement.
Select three pieces of your favorite Christmas decor and arrange them on your tray. Make sure your three decor items have a tall, medium, and short height size.
Place the tallest item directly on the tray, diagonally behind your stack of books. Next place your medium height decor piece centered between your tallest item and the stacks of books. Last, take your shortest decor piece and place it on top of your books.
Add a few pieces of greenery placed delicately around the tray and you’re done! I love this decor style because you don’t really need to buy anything. You can use an existing tray, two of your favorite books, some holiday decor or your favorite scented candle for a no-fuss decor design.
Christmas Coffee Decor Option 2: A Large Holiday Arrangement
If you like a less-is-more approach to your Christmas coffee table decor, this look is for you. Create a stunning seasonal arrangement as a beautiful centerpiece that won’t take over valuable space on your coffee table.
One large arrangement of seasonal greenery is a versatile Christmas coffee table decor centerpiece, and works for large or small coffee tables. Plus, you can easily gather a mix of fresh or dried greenery from around your yard or neighborhood and not spend a dime while still getting a creative and gorgeous holiday look.
Start With Structure
Begin with a decorative large bowl with a flat base. If you are using live greenery, add a layer of small stones at the bottom of the bowl with a little water to keep your greenery alive. The stones will also act as a support base to keep your branches in place.
If you need extra support, you can put in a block of floral oasis foam that will hold your arrangement in place, while also keeping it well hydrated. You can also use floral foam for dried arrangements, just don’t add water.
Artful Arrangement
Place your largest cuttings in the bowl first. The biggest branches will be your anchor pieces. This is a great place to use our Rule of Three again by adding three branches, a large, medium, and small branch to the bowl.
Space the branches evenly, or lean the large and small branches to one side, with the medium branch placed towards the opposite side of the bowl for extra visual interest.
Festive Filler
Fill in the remaining space with an assortment of smaller pieces of greenery, berries, and interesting floral elements for a full, lush effect.
Christmas Coffee Decor Option 3: Round Trays and Holiday Wreaths
One of my favorite Christmas coffee table decor looks is so easy it almost feels like I’ll be put on the naughty list. Grab a round tray and a holiday wreath that will fit in your tray. Place the wreath inside the tray, and then add a simple candle in the center.
Dress this look up by using a pretty glass votive to hold the candle and create a cozy shimmer effect. If you need to raise your candle up a little higher so you can see it better, place a few hidden books inside the wreath and set your candle or votive holder on top. Layer your wreath with a few ornaments, holly or juniper berries, and you’re done!
Conclusion
Coffee table Christmas decor doesn’t have to be a chore, or some extravagant, time consuming decor project. Make your coffee table a moment by simply using what you have around the house, or gathering from outside to create a stunning Christmas coffee table decor centerpiece that will impress your family and guests while adding a beautiful touch of Christmas whimsy to your living room.
About The Author
Nicole Cullum is an interior designer and fine artist. Her passion for color, pattern, and balance are expressed through her hand-painted line of wallpapers and textiles available at ColorCaravan.com.
Contact Nicole at hello@ColorCaravan.com for help with your next design project, e-design services, or a custom wallpaper or textile design.
