While the sofa is the largest piece of furniture in most living rooms, the coffee table is the central piece of furniture around which everything else revolves. It is a highly functional piece of furniture that is suitable for everything from playing board games to storing refreshments. In short, most coffee tables attract a lot of attention – and that's why they should look that way. However, if you want to take your coffee table to a higher level, we asked some interior designers for tips on making a coffee table look expensive.
Implementing your coffee table ideas is one of the best ways to enhance your living room, especially when paired with the best sofa. But it's about so much more than just choosing a coffee table: knowing what to put on a coffee table also helps it look more luxurious.
“It's easy to make a coffee table look expensive through thoughtful design choices, high-quality materials and finishes, and the addition of carefully curated accessories,” says Lucy Mather, interior designer at Arighi Bianchi. But let’s break this down a little more.
1. Opt for curated styling
(Image credit: Future PLC/Robert Sanderson)
Since your coffee table occupies such a central position in your living room, think of it not only as a place to put your feet up or put your cup of tea, but also as a kind of pedestal for one or more works of art in a gallery.
“Opt for a curated selection of items,” says Alex Stubbs, Flitch interior designer. “Think of your coffee table as an artistic vignette. When creating an expensive look for your coffee table, it's all about balance and layering. Start with a statement piece like a large coffee table book or a sculptural bowl as an anchor. Add a mix of textures, such as a set of marble coasters or a small vase of seasonal blooms, to exude luxury without overdoing it.”
Lucy from Arighi Bianchi continues, “To style a coffee table for an expensive look, focus on a minimalist and curated approach.” A few high-quality statement pieces, such as a decorative tray, a stack of visually appealing coffee table books, a Ceramic or glass sculpture, a candle in an elegant holder or an elegant vase with fresh flowers, are an excellent way to advertise a sophisticated atmosphere.
“Another thing that works well is to group items in odd numbers—remember the rule of three here—and vary their height to maintain visual interest.” Leaving some space between your accessories will preserve the Table has a clean, elegant look.
Assouline Marrakech Flair Photo Book
A coffee table book or two that reflect your interests is always the perfect addition to a coffee table. Assouline’s destination photography coffee table books like this “Marrakesh” have been trending for a year.
Hand-painted striped vase from Habitat in green
This hand-painted striped vase is one of Habitat's newest bestsellers and one we're obsessed with too. It comes in a variety of colors, but this elegant green will enhance any coffee table.
Next Sculptural bowl made of synthetic resin with a natural marble look
If placing a sculpture on your coffee table (or elsewhere) isn't your style, you can opt for a beautifully sculptural bowl instead.
Diptyque Fig Tree Candle Medium
Placing a scented candle in a beautifully designed vessel will easily turn your coffee table into an eye-catcher. Especially when it's one from people like Diptyque.
La Redoute Marcia Stone decorative object “Knot”.
If you're looking for purely decorative items for your coffee table and don't know where to even start, something abstract that appeals to you simply by its shape, texture, and color is the perfect place to start.
John Lewis Bubble Lacquer Tray in Dark Red
Placing a decorative painted tray with a fun edge in a statement hue like this John Lewis design has been a trendy way to dress up coffee tables for about a year now—and it really works.
2. Avoid overcrowding
(Image credit: Future PLC/Anna Stathaki)
When choosing your chosen coffee table decoration, be careful not to overcrowd the surface. And don't allow clutter to accumulate on the coffee table either, as that would immediately deteriorate its appearance.
“Avoid overcrowding the coffee table with too many items, as this can create a cluttered and unwanted appearance,” says Victoria Foster, interior designer at ScS. “Avoid putting too many personal or random items inside, such as snacks, used cups, or remote controls. Opt for timeless, high-quality decorations instead of low-quality or overly trendy pieces that could detract from the overall aesthetic.”
Lucy from Arighi Bianchi agrees: “To keep your coffee table looking elevated, avoid overloading it with too many items – an overcrowded table looks messy and can spoil the visual impact.” Limit the number of accessories and focus focuses on a few carefully selected pieces. Everyday items like remote controls and chargers should be hidden in a stylish storage box.”
3. Stick to a cohesive color palette
(Image credit: Future PLC/Darren Chung)
The design of the coffee table itself, as well as the decorations and accessories displayed on it, should also complement the overall color scheme of your living room to create a well-thought-out and harmonious overall look that looks sublime in its own right.
“Stick to a cohesive color palette to exude elegance.” Avoid incongruous or too bright colors that could disrupt the harmony of the room. “Avoid placing items or knick-knacks that clash with the color scheme or material palette of the room,” advises ScS’s Victoria.
4. Pay attention to materials and textures
(Image credit: Future PLC/Nathalie Priem)
Texture is the most important design element in any room. And that applies to the living room more than anywhere else – and it also applies to the coffee table, be it with the items displayed on or around it.
“Incorporate a mix of textures, such as a ceramic or glass sculpture paired with a soft, luxurious candle, and choose high-quality materials for your accessories, such as marble, brass or crystal,” says ScS's Victoria.
At the same time, certain materials have a more luxurious finish – so it's best to stick with these if you want your coffee table to look premium.
“High-quality materials such as marble, tempered glass, solid wood or polished metal immediately suggest sophistication and quality.” “A thoughtful mix of complementary materials – think gold or brass metal elements paired with natural wood or marble – immediately adds depth and luxury,” suggests Lucy by Arighi Bianchi.
5. Choose the right size
(Image credit: Future/Maxwell Attenborough)
Choosing a coffee table that is the right size and in the right proportion to your living space is crucial. There are interior design rules, such as how much space should be left between the sofa and the coffee table or whether a coffee table should be lower than the sofa.
“When it comes to size, choose one that's proportionate to the room and seating arrangement.” “A coffee table that's too small can look cheap, while an oversized coffee table can unsightly dominate the room,” says ScS's Victoria.
Lucy from Arighi Bianchi adds: “An appropriately proportioned coffee table creates a sense of balance, which naturally lends itself to a more expensive look.” “Large, flat tables exude luxury as they make a bold, confident statement in spacious living areas while Tables that are too small for the room can look out of place and throw off the overall balance of the room.”
6. Update the look with a new stain
(Image credit: Future PLC/Davd Giles)
If you're open to DIY coffee table ideas, updating a wooden coffee table with a new, elegant stain or paint is at the top of the list when it comes to giving a coffee table a more upscale look.
“First, focus on the table itself – a well-maintained base is essentially the foundation of a luxurious aesthetic.” Give a plain or aging wooden table an instant update with a coat of glossy black or dark walnut,” says Lucy from Arighi Bianchi.
7. Upgrade the tabletop
(Image credit: Future PLC/Caroline Mardon)
“Or try adding a glass or faux marble top to increase the appeal,” suggests Lucy.
This tip works whether your current table top is damaged or is just a little too plain and uninspired – adding a new top will make your coffee table look like a completely new design. Just make sure you continue to take care of it.
“Always prioritize maintenance – dust, scratches and drink rings can leave even the most expensive table looking neglected.” Regular cleaning and the use of coasters or placemats can go a long way to maintaining its beauty,” explains Lucy.
Finally, she concludes, “The key to an expensive-looking coffee table is a combination of high-quality materials, a style that complements the overall decor of the room, and a size that harmonizes with the surrounding furniture and space.”