How to Create a Gorgeous Holiday Coffee Table

our best holiday coffee table styling tips, how to use texture, balance and style to create a stunning holiday setting

Learn to combine elements of style, texture and balance to create a stunning holiday coffee table. Sharing our best advice to arrange a holiday masterpiece.

Holiday coffee table ideas to decorate like a pro

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Welcome Friends, to our second Blog Hop Holiday Coffee Table Tour. Thank you to our incredible host Janine of  Happy Happy Nester, for hosting our tour. If you arrived from Kathleen’s at Lindsay Hill Interiors, a special welcome. Isn’t her style amazing? Well, Jodie and I are thrilled that you are here so let’s get decorating.

When decorating for the holidays there are definitely some key focal points. Of primary importance is obviously, the tree. The tree is usually the center of attention and rightly so. Next, the fireplace, mantle, where “stockings are hung by the chimney with care.” But once the “oohing” and “ahhing” over these primary spots is finished, most get togethers will settle down into a gathering space for conversing and relaxing.

The often overlooked holiday coffee table is now center stage. Your holiday coffee table matters more than you think, so let’s get it ready to really wow your family and friends. Read on to learn just how I style my coffee table as I share my pro decorating tips to create your own gorgeous holiday coffee table. If you’re curious to see last month’s coffee table styling, be sure to check it out next.

Rustic farmhouse coffee table with festive touches and holiday pillows

Theme of Your Holiday Coffee Table

Always begin with a theme. With the holidays soon approaching my theme is Christmas. Maybe yours is Thanksgiving if you are entertaining at your house this year. Other possible choices for themes are: spring, Easter, July 4th, winter, fall, etc. Maybe you’re throwing a party with a theme, like a baby shower, engagement party, or New Years Party.  It doesn’t have to be a holiday or season but you will find this an easy way to begin to think about decorating.

I like my home decor to reflect my mood and what’s current in my world. If you prefer not to change your holiday coffee table entirely you can simply update with a few new items that convey the current theme. For example, let’s say you have a bowl, a tray and a stack of books regularly appearing on your table. You can give your coffee table a fresh seasonal look by changing out a few of the details that appear in the bowl, on the tray, and possibly on top of your books. Your essential “building blocks” can stay the same.

Beautiful Decorating Ideas for a Traditional Christmas cozy look

Style: Holiday Coffee Table

After you choose the theme for your holiday coffee table, choose your style or styles. I often mix two styles or more for added interest. Choosing vastly different styles creates drama in your decor, it’s unexpected. My choices are quite different: farmhouse rustic and glamorous.

There are no rules, but to ensure success I make sure to have several examples from both styles represented. On my holiday coffee table I chose: Rustic, natural elements, evergreen, and glam. Here is what appears for each. (As you will see, someitems fall into more than one category which helps tie it all together.)

Use rustic elements to create a cozy traditional appeal to your holiday decor with evergreen, pine cones, and antlers

Rustic farmhouse:

  1. Reclaimed wood rustic farmhouse style tray
  2. rusted antique bird and birdbath
  3. old books
  4. nest
  5. antlers
  6. burlap red stripe farmhouse runner

Natural Elements:

  1. antler (candle holder)
  2. nest
  3. bird
  4. pine cones
  5. evergreen plant in woven basket
  6. evergreen round
  7. wooden stand

Glam:

  1. gold pine cones (3)
  2. elegant lit candles (3)
  3. mercury glass votive

farmhouse elements like reclaimed wood, antlers and rustic window add style and fun to holiday decor

Create Texture on Your Holiday Coffee Table

I love to choose items that have a variety of textures. Texture alone is a powerful element. I start with my glass holiday coffee table; so it’s clean modern, smooth and elegant. Then, I add the thick cotton rustic farmhouse runner (with a nubby natural-looking texture). On top, I add a large reclaimed wood farmhouse tray, a natural twig nest, old books, gold pine cones, lit candles….you get the point. Everything has a different, interesting, and unique texture.

Arranging Your Holiday Coffee Table

Stages:

You don’t want items on your holiday coffee table floating or to look scattered. This is where your “stages” come into play. A stage is anything that can gather items together to make them look connected and organic (like they belong together). You can use a tray of any kind, books, a piece of fabric (like a runner, a place mat, a cloth napkin), or a raised stand of some kind.

You can arrange things at straight angles or crooked. This is up to your own design aesthetic. There are no right or wrong ways, it’s about what appeals to you. An interesting vignette is created by layering these stages. I love to put stages on top of stages which adds powerful interest.

create a holiday coffee table with style, balance and texturesHeights:

It’s important when arranging to have a variety of heights for interest. I like at least three different levels of heights or more. For the sake of my family who watches television over this holiday coffee table I am always considerate, and I don’t go so high that it will have to be moved. You will also want to consider height for conversations. Sit in the seats and look where your guests will look to make sure faces (or televisions view) will not be blocked by your creation.

Numbers:

Most of you have probably heard this decorating “rule” before: Decorate with three or an odd number. As much as I avoid rules in my decorating, I have to agree with this one. An odd number is almost always a better choice. Using three items creates a pyramid. I like to arrange things in triangles. I do this naturally without even thinking about it.

Occasionally, a straight line of three items is fun, but this is usually in a stand alone spot, like a shelf or a tray. If you look at the picture below, you’ll see I’ve arranged a triangle of items in the farmhouse tray and also a triangle of three on the table runner on my holiday coffee table. I didn’t even think about this; after years of decorating my eyes tell me this feels balanced. Again, it’s not a rule, just a guideline to help you.

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Traditional Christmas decor ideas create a cozy farmhouse look that is creative and inviting to guests

Let’s Recap Your Holiday Coffee Table Design

Remember to:

  • choose your theme
  • choose your style or styles
  • incorporate at least 2-3 elements representing each style (and they can overlap)
  • use stages to gather and display
  • create 3 or more levels/heights
  • arrange artfully in 3’s and in triangle patterns
  • Have fun!

No matter what the season and no matter what your style, you can use these tips and strategies to create your own masterful holiday coffee table displays. Happy Decorating!

jodie & julie

Now, it’s time to join our next fabulous Blogger on our Blog Hop Coffee Table Tour, Amy of Crazy Chic Design.

We know you are going to love what she has created. All our amazing friends have wonderful ideas that you will not want to miss. Enjoy!

Style That Coffee Table Blog Hop

Crazy Chic Design  |  Styled With Lace  |  2 Ladies & A Chair  |  Happy Happy Nester

Lindsay Hill Interiors  |  Maison de Cinq  |  Oscar Bravo Home

She Leaves a Little Sparkle  |  Too Chic for Words  |  Meme Hill

Techniques tips strategies inspiration for coffee table styling like a pro

No matter what your style or what the season use these tips and strategies to create your own masterful coffee table displays!

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Summary
Article Name
How to Create a Gorgeous Holiday Coffee Table
Description
Learn to combine elements of style, texture and balance to create a stunning holiday coffee table. Sharing our best advice to arrange a holiday masterpiece.
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The Design Twins
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  1. Rachel Ruth says:

    Love this! I am not at the stage of life yet where I am hosting holidays but want to incorporate these ideas into my home for myself and my soon-to-be hubby!

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Rachel, You are such a sweetie! Thank you so much for reading and leaving your kind reply. It means so much to Jodie and me. We are all at different stages of life and love to hear that you are enjoying your “early years” of just setting up your household. Now is the perfect time to learn, practice, and think about those traditions you will continue from your youth and those you create in your home with your future family. It is an exciting time, and we are so happy to be part of your journey. Blessings, Julie & Jodie

  2. Joan says:

    Jodie & Julie this is fabulous! This coffee table is beautifully arranged. I love the natural elements mixed with the glam. You ladies are amazing and inspirational in all your designs!

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Joan, We appreciate your opinion so much! Thank you for taking the time to visit and share your thoughts with us! It means so much! With gratitude and blessings, Jodie & Julie

  3. kathleen says:

    Oh, I just love all the textures you have combined here! So interesting and eye-catching! And such a happy, friendly space. Love that holiday coffee table – you nailed it, my friends!

    xo

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Kathleen, Thank you so much for the visit and for your kind words! When someone you admire so much approves, it really is so rewarding! Thanks again!
      With thanks and blessings,
      Jodie & Julie

  4. Gillian H says:

    I love the textures and how cozy the room looks! Going to add some of these elements to my living room for the holidays

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Gillian,
      We’re so happy to hear that you enjoyed the post! And even more excited to hear that you have been inspired to take some of these ideas and apply them to your holiday decor! Yeah!
      With gratitude and blessings,
      Jodie & Julie

  5. Alicia says:

    Bravo ladies!…..I love the rustic feel you added to your coffee table …. beautifully done!…..and love how you broke it down creating the vignettes.

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Hello Dear Alicia,
      Thank you Honey! You are too sweet! Your opinion means a lot to us, Oh Talented One! We just adore you and feel blessed to be connected both on IG and here now. Thank you for your loving support.
      With gratitude and friendship,
      Julie & Jodie

  6. Susana says:

    Julie/Jodie – Wow!! Have to say it again… Wow! This is beautiful beyond words and I love how you structure your post by giving a quick recap at the end. Bravo… Well done and so much to take from it. Bravo!

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Aw, thank you so much Susana! We really appreciate that! We tend to be quite wordy, haha, so a recap at the end is pretty key! Thank you for taking the time to stop by and leave such a sweet comment. We are honored to be connected on our fun blog hop series.
      Blessings to you,
      Julie & Jodie

  7. Janine says:

    Hi Julie,

    Such a gorgeous coffee table. I just want to come on over and have a cup of tea with you! I love all your elements on your table. Just like you, I could stare and did at your table! Your ideas are spot on and so helpful to your readers!

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Aw Janine, you are too too kind. Seriously, you have been an Angel sent from Heaven to bless our lives. Jodie and I are so grateful to count you among our true friends. If blogging and IG brought us nothing else YOU are worth it. Thank you for your generosity of spirit that is so contagious.
      With love and friendship,
      Julie & Jodie

  8. Sheila Irwin says:

    Ladies!

    This is so, so gorgeous! Love all the textures and natural elements with those pops of red. This is a perfect woodland Christmas table! I truly love this whole space:)

    Sheila
    xo

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Sheila, Thank you so much. Isn’t it so much fun to see all the different styles? Each time I see your table I want to start over completely. haha. I need like 5 houses so I can decorate in all the styles I love! Thank you, Sweetie, for taking the time to read our blog and to reply. It means so much to us to have your kind support.
      With love,
      Julie & Jodie

  9. Lily says:

    Love the pop of red! My fav color❤️

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Lily, We are so grateful to you for stopping by our blog and also for your kind reply. We hope you took away some useful ideas from this post. We also hope you will stop by often and say hello. If you ever have any questions or requests feel free. We are here to help. In the meantime have a wonderful holiday season!
      With gratitude and blessings,
      Julie & Jodie

  10. Monique Lynn says:

    I love reading all your tips! This provides so much inspiration!

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Well hello there Monique! Welcome to our blog! We are sincerely grateful for your taking the time to read and leave a kind reply. It means so much to us. Jodie and I are having a ball so far on our blog, and sharing it with kind people such as yourself really make it all worthwhile. We hope you will return often, and that this is the beginning of a sweet friendship.
      With love and gratitude,
      Julie & Jodie

  11. Just gorgeous!! I love everything and you sure have given me lots of inspiration on how I need to decorate my coffee table! Thank you 🙂

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Dear Sam, Thank you SO much for taking the time to read and of course leave the kindest reply! You are a gift that keeps on giving. We look forward to our growing friendship and shared inspiration.
      Much love,
      Julie & Jodie

  12. Chris says:

    Your coffee table is stunning! I love the way you used the different elements. You ladies are so talented and I couldn’t be happier that you decided to share your knowledge. I learn something each time I read your blog and even when you post on Instagram. I know I’ve said it before, but again, you’re both an inspiration! Thank you for sharing with the rest of us.

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Oh my goodness, Chris! You are so generously kind! Thank you, thank you. Your praise is too sweet. The blog is a lot of work, but it is so fun and fulfilling. We are completely devoted to it, and now we wonder why it took us so long to start…haha! Your support means everything to us, so thank you again. We hope you will stop by often and that you continue to enjoy. Many blessings, Julie & Jodie

  13. Rhonda Comus says:

    It’s not the Christmas holiday season now but I’ll be getting my Easter decor out this weekend and I can use these great tips to decorate my coffee table and my island. I love the rustic design elements on your coffee table. ???????? xoxox

  14. I really liked the part about the stages and how they are used so that the decorations do not look like they are scattered and disorganized in any way. That is probably why my mom is looking at this long piece of cloth with the reindeer printing the other day. But anyway, this is good to remember though I think, for this year, we will need someone to redecorate for us. After all, we will be out of the country until a week before Christmas.

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Amethyst,
      We are so glad you found this post helpful! Thank you for the sweet comments and hope to see you on the blog in the future!
      XO ~ Jodie & Julie

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  17. Milly Egan says:

    We have just begun following your design adventures Julie & Jodie and have already taken lots of inspiration and notes from your blog posts to use in our own homes. Love the evergreen wreath around the candle pedestal and the way you layer wall wreaths on frames and wall art. The cable knit throw is definitely one idea that we will use this winter.

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Milly, We sure are happy to hear you are enjoying our blog. thank you for the kindness and the replies. We hope you continue to enjoy. All the best, Julie

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