How to make your coffee table look more expensive – 5 tips from the professionals

Aside from a really great couch, a coffee table is the centerpiece of your living room. Not only is it the spot where you rest your glass of wine or put up your feet (guilty as charged) but the perfect spot for creating a personality-packed vignette.

A well-styled coffee table is like the cherry on top of a beautifully decorated space. So, we set on asking the experts just how to make a coffee table look more expensive with their very best coffee table decor ideas.

Whether you’re working with a budget-friendly setup or a high-end piece of furniture, styling your coffee table like a professional is certainly within reach with these tips from interior designers.

How to make your coffee table look more expensive

Of course, the starting point is a really beautiful coffee table to begin with. But this doesn't mean you need to have the most statement or expensive piece of furniture.

Sometimes just a simple, well-made wooden coffee table can make as much of a statement as the boldest marble with a few coffee table styling tricks from the experts. Here are 5 failproof ways to make your coffee table look more expensive.

1. Always include a beautiful tray

A well-styled coffee table often features a beautiful tray. Not only does this serve as a centerpiece to the table, but is essential for zoning and corraling looser items and oddities.

'It's oh-so-easy to make your coffee table look more luxurious and high-end just by investing some time in styling the surface artfully,' advises interior designer Kathy Kuo. 'Try adding a chic tray made of material like shagreen or travertine and add luxe decorative accents within the tray, like bud vases, stylish coffee table books, upscale scented candles, and decorative sculptures,' Kathy suggests.

A tray is your styling best friend because it instantly adds structure to your coffee table decor. Round trays are excellent for softening the edges of a rectangular table, while rectangular trays often work best on round tables, creating contrast. To elevate the aesthetic, opt for a tray with luxurious finishes like marble or lacquer.

2. Edit down your coffee table books

Coffee table books are a great way to showcase your personality and interests while adding height and structure to your styling – but it needs to be a curated edit.

'To make your coffee table feel more elevated, focus on creating layers of interest and balance,' suggests designer Marie Flanigan. 'Start with a curated stack of beautiful books that reflect your style, and finish the look with thoughtful details like a tray to organize smaller items, a candle for warmth, or an interesting object collected from your travels.'

When curating your stack, consider both content and aesthetics. Choose books that resonate with your passions, but the covers should complement your room’s palette or offer an intentional pop of color.

'The best way to make an inexpensive coffee table look expensive is to use some large decorative books stacked strategically in the corner,' adds Karin Krinsky of New Age Interiors. 'Then, place a pretty bowl or tray and perhaps some beads ever so gently spilling out of them.'

3. Be sure to include natural forms

Nature inherently softens a space and makes it look less 'styled' and more, well, natural. Whether it’s a vase of fresh flowers, a sculptural piece of driftwood, or a cluster of natural stones, these organic elements make the vignette feel more inviting.

'Add a sculptural element like a ceramic vessel or a piece of hand-carved wood for texture,' continues Marie. 'Incorporate something organic, such as fresh flowers or a small potted plant, to bring life and softness to the arrangement.'

'The key is to mix materials and shapes while keeping the arrangement clean and intentional,' adds Marie. Even a single branch in an elegant vase can make a statement.

4. Create height and be mindful of scale

Achieving a polished look with your coffee table decor often hinges on striking the right balance of height and scale.

'A coffee table is an important bit of real estate at the center of your living space that offers a valuable opportunity to enhance the ambiance of the room,' says Amy Carman of Amy Carman Design. 'A carefully composed collection of books, accessories, and greenery add a layer of beauty for your eye to land on. At our Treasure Island project, seen above, we kept our accessories monochromatic, with the exception of a delicate gilded olive leaf sculpture.'

'Be mindful of the scale of your selections. An oversized coffee table requires only a few objects, but they need to be appropriately sized,' she suggests.

Balance taller items like vases or candlesticks with slightly smaller pieces, such as a stack of books, a tray, or a low-profile bowl. Be sure to vary the heights subtly for a layered effect rather than having all elements clustered at the same level.

5. Finally, add some personal touches

Achieving an expensive-looking coffee table is as much about showcasing your personality as it is about achieving a polished look.

'Adding layers through trinkets, collectibles, books, and candles adds extra dimensions that can’t fail to elevate your coffee table,' advises Holly Vaughan of Vaughan Design & Development.

Adding a few personal elements, like a cherished heirloom, a favorite travel souvenir, or a framed photo, ensures your coffee table looks much less like a store display and more like something out of a real, lived-in home.

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to styling any surface in your home. Your coffee table should be a reflection of your taste and personality. Whether you lean minimalist or maximalist, the key is finding a balance that feels authentic to you.