Crafting the Perfect Coffee Table Decor For Christmas
Styling your home for the holidays can be an act of love and also a work of creative art. Make your coffee table shine with a few simple tricks to transform it from bah humbug to brilliant.
Christmas coffee table decor falls into five basic categories; linens, trays, serving bowls, decorative objects, and candles. We’ve curated a festive list of gorgeous Christmas-inspired coffee table decor that will create a layered, sophisticated, cheerful and merry look for your living room.
Check out our post on “The Best Flawless Christmas Coffee Table Decor Ideas” for a step-by-step guide on three different ways to style an elegant holiday coffee table without spending a dime.
Types of Christmas Coffee Table Decor
Interior designers use some basic guidelines to create interesting, balanced, graceful coffee table centerpieces that are conversation starters and impress guests when entertaining. We’re going to explore each type of Christmas coffee table decor and how best to use it.
Neutrals are a beautiful color Christmas decor color palette. Once you’ve mastered your Christmas coffee table, finish the look with neutral holiday decor to accent your coffeetalbe design.
Lovely Linens
Linens are an often overlooked decor element when it comes to coffee table design. I like to start my Christmas centerpiece with a pretty table runner or table cloth as my first base layer.
Linens can add such a pretty textural element to your coffee table decor and also protect your table from scratches and stray glitter that can be tough to get out.
Rustic Forest Cotton/Linen Table Runner
Set the scene with a serene backdrop of washed black embroidered winter trees. This versatile runner can be used as a base under a modern black and white Christmas centerpiece, or one with a rustic farmhouse vibe.
Holiday Sentiment Organic Cotton Table Throw
Make your coffee table merry with a perfect Christmas red table throw to spread good cheer with elegant holiday sentiments. Yarn-dyed slubbed cotton adds a luxurious textural feel and protects your table from spills and scratches.
Candy Cane Embroidered Table Runner
A sweet Christmas treat to layer your favorite holiday decor on top of. The Candy Cane embroidered table runner features a simple but elegant pair of classic candy canes and holly for a versatile and timeless look.
Sleigh Bell Crewel Embroidered Cotton Table Runner
Make your coffee table merry with a perfect Christmas red table throw to spread good cheer with elegant holiday sentiments. Yarn-dyed slubbed cotton adds a luxurious textural feel and protects your table from spills and scratches.
Timeless Trays
An easy, sure-fire trick to creating a beautiful, timeless holiday coffee table moment is to start with a strong foundation. Trays are a great base to build and layer festive decor while keeping it contained and easily removed if you need extra table space.
Here are a few of our favorite holiday trays that do double duty as a foundational element, and a chic styling piece.
Holiday Stewart Plaid Tray
Classic Scottish tartan is paired with a sophisticated single monogram for a personalized holiday treat. This decorative tray does the work for you as the perfect base to set your favorite Christmas coffee table decor on without having to overthink your styling.
Theron Clear Acrylic Tray
A look as clear as winter ice, this elegant rectangular acrylic tray looks as if it floats effortlessly on your coffee table. Place your favorite holiday candle and a pair of miniature reindeer or a stack of books and your holiday design is complete.
Holiday Vintage Serving Tray
Absolutely adorable and full of festive Christmas cheer, the Holiday Vintage Serving tray from Rifle Paper is sure to be a conversation starter with your guests. Place a simple pretty candle in the center and let this cute tray do the rest.
Sophisticated Serving Bowls
If there’s one thing you can count on during the holidays, it’s that you’ll have plenty of guests pop by to wish you season’s greetings. I like to keep a cheerful but refined serving bowl on my coffee table, filled with an assortment of holiday treats, for guests to enjoy while visiting.
Keep your guests merry and bright by filling these pretty serving bowls with fun snacks.
Peppermint Multi Condiment Server
Sweet treats never looked better in this hand-painted earthenware serving bowl. Put your Christmas coffee table decor to good use by keeping small bites and snacks out for guests and looking cute at the same time.
Holiday Sentiment Stoneware Cookie Serving Platter
Simple always says it best. Keep your table crisp, clean and cheerful with the Joy Holiday platter.
Gingerbread Snowflake Appetizer Plates
Just like real snowflakes, each one of these gingerbread snowflake plates are alike. Hand-painted stoneware plates bring a warm holiday whimsy to your Christmas coffee table decor.
Decadent Decor Objects
Ah, the main course of Christmas coffee table design. Holiday decor can come in all shapes and sizes, but Iike to use either one large object or the Rule of Three’s to style a visually engaging centerpiece.
The Rule of Three simply describes using three objects of varying heights for a tiered effect that looks layered and thoughtful. We naturally find odd numbers of objects more visually interesting than simple, symmetrical pairs. Applying the Rule of Threes, or Fives, or any odd number combination will make your centerpiece design more interesting.
If you have family decorations that you’d like to use in your centerpiece but they’re the same height or size, try adding a stack of two large coffee table books under one of the decorations to give it a little more height and variation.
Candy Striped Glass Tree Cloches
The perfect peppermint pair to add some spice to your Christmas coffee table decor. I love these sweet little trees for the visual interest and height they add to centerpiece decor.
Gianna Dishes With Lids
Keep cheerful candies on hand for family and friends, or add ornaments inside for a snow globe effect. These smoke-colored glass dishes have a hint of gold for a festive feel.
Ceramic Christmas Trees
Get a gorgeous neutral boho look with these earthenware trees that each hold a tea light for instant winter ambiance.
Cozy Candles
Candles create that warm, cozy, romantic winter vibe that we all love on cold nights. Their fragrant scent brings back memories of Christmas’ past and family gatherings. But why not make your holiday candles do a little extra work this season?
I love adding lots of candles to my Christmas decorations, but I like them do be beautiful decor elements on their own too. These festive candles can bring that wonderful holiday scent and also add to your coffee table design.
Antique Metal Tree Taper Candleholder Centerpiece
Place your favorite taped candles amongst antique gold miniature trees to give a glittering glow cast around your room.
Hayes floating Candle Centerpiece
Add instant ambiance with the Hayes Floating Candle Centerpiece. Tuck a string of simple greenery or holiday garland around the base and you have a quick an easy gorgeous modern Christmas coffee table decor style.
Lys Holiday Metal Taper Candle Holder Centerpiece
Sculptural with a beautiful antique brass finish, the Lys Holiday Metal Taper Candle Holder is a finished look in itself. Simply place a wreath around the edge of this modern classic tapered candle holder and you’ll have a stunning Christmas coffee table decor centerpiece.
Conclusion
Transforming your coffee table into a festive centerpiece for the holidays can be both fun and creative. Any interior designer will tell you that arranging a balanced, visually enticing centerpiece is an art. It takes a little practice, but from this expert guide to stunning Christmas coffee table decor, we’ve explored a curated selection of holiday basics that will make your Christmas centerpiece look professional and inspired.
Beautiful linens, trays, serving bowls, decorative objects, and aromatic candles, provide you with the tools to infuse your space with the magic of the season. Every element has been chosen to enhance the warmth and joy that this special time of year brings. Elevate your home this Christmas and let your coffee table become a canvas for cherished memories and festive celebrations.
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.
