“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.””
Psalms 91:1-2
Over the course of many years, I have had almost as many different coffee table styles as hairstyles! And we all know that those can be ever-changing! As a new bride, I had a white-glass top that was a very poor choice. A few years and life lessons later, it was an antique oval-shaped coffee table that served us well. Seth, in true little boy fashion, even ran his matchbook cars across it and built all types of Lego structures! Finally, I wanted something a little dressier and I found my current one that is a French antique with gold inlay! Each one was appropriate for the different stages of life, and the accessories that have graced the tops have run the gamut! But there has been one constant – books! Books are everywhere in our home…because we are avid readers and to my advantage, they are the perfect decoration! Along with an always rotating collection of books, are objects that I have collected while we have traveled in some far-away and distant lands, a bowl of fruit or fresh flowers, and a favorite bronze statue! Anything is fair game when it comes to a coffee table, as long as it displays the items you love! Hope you enjoy the collection I have assembled and maybe be inspired to think outside the box!
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Two different tray stands are used as coffee tables…a classical one in mahogany for a treasured silver tray, and a Turkish-style table painted white for an old Canton platter. Both are shown being used to enjoy a cup of coffee.
A French coffee table holds very few items, but fresh flowers are always appropriate.
A round tufted ottoman is a beautiful substitute for the traditional coffee table.
A large coffee table in beautiful dark wood centers a seating arrangement in front of a fireplace. Fresh flowers soften the wood while books encourage guests to thumb through their pages.
A vintage Maison Jansen coffee table outfitted with candlesticks, books, and beautiful cut flowers!
A vintage trunk painted blue serves as a coffee table on a porch. A tray holding flowers, fruit, and small bites collects all the items together!
A beautiful box, a vase of flowers, and books, of course, top a small coffee table in this neutral room with the only pattern being the leopard rug!
This formal living room with its large antique trumeau and silk upholstered sofa is softened with the collection of coffee table books!
A simple yet elegant Lucite coffee table floats between the sofa and a pair of French armchairs!
When using an ottoman as a coffee table, a tray works well to balance objects or simply stack magazines!
A trio of mirrored tables make for an interesting coffee table…books and fresh flowers sit on the middle one!
Two small leather poufs serve as spots for drinks and reading material.
An ideal family room with the ideal coffee table for propping your feet, drinks, books, even large enough for an impromptu meal!
A lovely gold mirrored coffee table…so elegant!
A rectangular-shaped ottoman serves as a coffee table in a room of traditional furnishings!
This coffee table is casual with plenty of space for stacks of books!
The marble-top coffee table blends seamlessly in a living room of neutrals!
What about you? What is on your coffee table right now? Do you use books, or do you have something that is a “constant”?
Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Coastal Charm, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, French Country Cottage, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, 21 Rosemary Lane, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, Rustic & Refined, Poofing The Pillows, What Meegan Makes, Celebrate & Decorate
I LOVE coffee tables. The one i currently have in my living room is very large, round, and made of darkly stained wood. It’s so big I am able to have books, picture frames, a small topiary, a piece of decorative pottery and magazines. I have a basket on the shelf underneath to collect those odds and ends my children tend to leave laying around. I looked forever to find this table and it’s one of my absolute favorite pieces in my house!!!
Julia, your coffee table sounds perfect, large enough to hold the things you enjoy! Thanks for sharing with me! Happy Monday!
What a beautiful collection of coffee table inspirations! This is a feast for the eyes, for sure. 🙂
Thanks so much, Kim! Have a wonderful Monday afternoon!
la verdad es que no sabría decir cual me gusta más. Todas son diferentes y todas tienen un hermoso encanto.
Has elegido una colección de salas de estar donde en cada una de ellas nos podríamos sentir felices y relajados. En efecto, los libros son un detalle muy interesante y da la sensación de un hogar acogedor.
Felicidades por esta muestra de elegancia.
Dolores
the truth is that I could not say which I like better. They are all different and all have a beautiful charm.
You have chosen a collection of lounges where in each of them we might feel happy and relaxed. Indeed, books are an interesting detail and gives the feeling of a cozy home.
Congratulations on this sample of elegance.
Dolores
Queridísima Dolores, deseándole la más bella de semanas y gracias por sus comentarios, siempre dulce! Me encantan los libros expuestos ya la familia y amigos para ser capaz de recoger y disfrutar! Abrazos
Oh! me he fijado que el comentario está en español!!! gracias, amiga, eso es un detalle de ….amiga …hahaha
Great coffee table inspiration…right now mine is getting ready for a “refresh” …
I know your coffee table refresh will be beautiful!
I love almost every picture and coffee table. Swooning. Sheila
Thanks so much, Sheila!
Lovely photos. So many pretty coffee tables.I have a tufted ottoman now as a coffee table and a glass top one that I switch around from den to master bedroom. In our first apartment I had white parsons tables that were a plastic material.
I also enjoy coffee table books. In the living room I have a round glass coffee table and it is full of books. So at the moment I have three coffee tables.
I know that all three coffee tables are inviting with your books.. I love a tufted ottoman used as a coffee table! Happy Tuesday!
What an awesome and detailed collection that you have assembled! I’m thinking of re-doing our living room set and these ideas are on point! Thanks for sharing them!
I would love it if you would share this and more on my weekly link party : )
http://www.twentysomethinginthe2010s.com/peace-love-linkup-005/
Our house isn’t formal…and right now, nothing goes on the coffee table as we have a 18 mo Grandson who visits frequently….so we are back to blank tops….But before he came along….it was a violet and books….
Nancy, we are expecting our first grandchild any minute and if I have to clear the coffee table as she grows, it will be a pleasure! Thanks so much, Pam
Love all your inspiration photos. I tend to leave mine the same all the time. Maybe it’s time for a change…
Willis, thanks for sharing! Blessings, Pam
Sorry Eilis…auto correct
Lots of coffee table inspiration here
I love the last photo using end table height as a coffee table. I have a Baker Milling Raod chest of drawers that is finished all the way around the pieces making this a great piece to float in a room, it’s not rustically painted and used as a coffee table, loving the 2 drawers for blanket throws in winter and extras you want on hand. I love getting creative with coffee tables with pieces that are not a coffee table it allows you to move them about changing them out for other uses in your home.
Inspiring here.
Blessings ahead of you this beautiful weekend.
Xx
Doré
Dore, your Baker piece sounds beautiful and obviously, good quality! Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful thoughts! Blessings!
Lovely inspiration!! I currently have books and or a candle very simple & fuss free for me 🙂
Lauren | Lovely Decor
xx
Lauren, fuss-free is always a good idea! Blessings!
I have an old rectangular silver tray in the middle of my coffee table. Inside I’ve arranged two crystal rose bowls – gifts from my parents, a crystal box – gift from my sister years ago – and a crystal candle holder – also a gift. I’ve also scattered a few skeleton keys, a glass doorknob, an old metal knob and a vintage print plate arrow. On either side I have a couple of stacks of decorating books. Sometimes I put some flowers in one of the rose bowls, but mostly I just sit and stare at this group of things I love… I haven’t changed it in years except to add a book or two….I do love that trunk on the porch photo, though. Re-e-all-ly love it.
Cindy, your coffee table sounds beautiful. I think your treasures are personal and are things you love and that is what our homes should be! Thanks so much!
I loved looking at all the different styles. My favorite was the blue wooden trunk and I once had a trunk as our coffee table. Until this week I had a long green bench, but we just went with an ottoman and I am loving someplace to put my feet.
Thanks for sharing this great post with SYC.
I love the change-up with the ottoman! We all like to put our feet up!
I did a post recently on what our vignettes say about us. Each of these coffee tables tells its own story.
Yes, our homes reveal so much about us! Happy Mother’s Day!
Some beautiful styles Pam! My favorites are the ottomans and the blue trunk. I have a burlap ottoman in my family room and a large floral one in our theater room. Love the look and the comfort! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Jann, thanks for sharing your coffee table. Blessings!
I loved seeing the different styles of coffee tables and how they work in each room. Most of my things are in storage, but my coffee table is about four-feet square and is covered in leather. I’ve had it since I was in my 20s, and it’s only gotten better with age. Lots of dings and scratches, but the patina is beautiful. I miss seeing it. Brenda
Brenda, thanks so much! Your coffee table sounds lovely…dings and scratches just mean it has been used! Blessings!
Thank you for sharing these wonderful coffee tables. I don’t change either that much, as I never know what to do exactly, unless it’s a theme type.
Happy Mother’s Day.
FABBY
Happy Mother’s Day, Fabby! I try to keep things I enjoy on my coffee table! Thanks!
Pam, I really enjoyed looking at your selection. I have had a wooden table that was cut to coffee table height for the last 15 years. But I just recently gave it a makeover and stripped it of its old cherry color and let the blond wood shine through. I am so happy with this old table because it is big enough to put our feet up on it or have a meal while holding lots of books and odds and ends. Thank youfor joining us today at Sweet Inspiration.
I loved this post! The coffee table in the family room is a cedar chest (have to move all the books off of it to get to the winter sweaters and scarves). The coffee table in the living room are two small little marble top French side tables. Now that I’ve seen that rounded ottoman though… I kind of want one! Thanks for sharing with Thursday Favorite Things and look for your feature this week! Angelina @ Peonies & Orange Blossoms
Thanks so much, Angelina for sharing your coffee table thoughts and for your kind comments! I am excited to be featured…will be looking forward to it! Blessings~
We have large over sized ottomans. I will place a book om it and put my tea or coffee on top of that. It works~ Thanks for joining Home Sweet Home!
Thanks Sherry…love oversized ottomans with books on top!
Pam, I love your understanding and eye for color. I think you are exceptionally good at this. Have you studied color theory?
Ginene
Thanks for sharing these coffee tables ideas. Mine for winter is a square ottoman with a square tray for a cozy feel & for summer I use a curio glass top table
Thank you, Sandra. Your coffee table sounds perfect!