Coffee Table Glow Up
Now that my son is 7, I finally felt ready to upgrade our coffee table—from one he could bang all his toys on to a more elevated spot we can actually gather around for popcorn-filled movie nights. I’ve rounded up a range of table options that fit the California casual interior style that feels so natural to me.
What you style on your coffee table really depends on your lifestyle and how you use the space. These are my must-haves:
A low catchall tray or bowl for remotes, coasters, and everyday odds and ends. I’ve dressed mine up with natural stones collected on one of our desert trips.
A small stack of books inspired by home or nature—easy to swap out to keep things feeling fresh.
A candy jar. My grandma always kept a jar of Hershey’s Kisses on her coffee table, and I love carrying on that tradition.
To finish it off, I like to add a few thoughtful touches: a potted plant, dried or faux botanicals in a vase, a candle or incense, a sculptural object like a knot, or even an aesthetic game like tic-tac-toe or four-in-a-row.
Shopping List
Affordable and stylish oak table with great reviews. The pedestal design makes it cozy for sitting around it with family.
Beautiful alternative to wood and won’t show the scratches.
Another pedestal coffee table option with a thinner tabletop. Love the whitewashed oak color!
Pricier option, but I’m in love with mine – it’s the perfect size and the silhouette is so pretty.
This bowl makes a statement and carries the visual weight of your coffee table vignette.
This is the bowl I use on my coffee table – I love how simple and clean it looks.
Use a tray to keep your small things together with room for a couple decorative accents.
Rattan brings some texture onto your table and allows more space to gather useful things.
Another rattan option with a more structured shape to line up nicely next to your book stack.
Using a ceramic canister as a secret candy jar looks pretty and is unexpected.
I absolutely love the retro look of a colored glass lidded jar.
Coasters that are ultra functional without the annoying getting wet and sticking to the bottom of your glass thing.
Beautiful and sturdy coasters that look great on an oak wood tabletop.
These planters are so cute and versatile and come in a set of 2!
A basic yet beautiful indoor pot with a drainage dish that comes in a ton of different colors.
Cutest wavy vase set you can use together or separate throughout your home.
I have these and they look great in a nice ceramic vase.
You can’t go wrong with dried eucalyptus as a natural accent.
Ceramic knots from SIN are the easiest way to elevate a decorative spot in your home – perfect for your coffee table.
Another knot option, but a lightweight chunky wood design.
One of the best scented candles in town (and I like their deodorant too!)
You can’t go wrong with anything from PF Candle Co. Their Golden Coast scent is crisp and sweet.
Jenni Kayne is mecca for California casual living and design.
Captures so many beautiful homes on the coast.
A collection of Shea’s design teachings with beautiful decor examples and ideas.
A classic coffee table book for any home design lover.
For planning your next forest bathing retreat.
Stunning photography of our beautiful world.
A fun way to plan your next trip around the art and culture of a place.
A fun and beautiful way to play tic-tac-toe, pretty enough to stay out on your table.
A cute and compact wooden “Connect Four” game that you can keep out or close up to store.
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