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There are hundreds of different-looking coffee tables out there, but almost all of them get topped with the same stuff: a book (or two), a candle, a vase filled with fresh flowers, and, occasionally, a purely decorative chain link. But what if we treated this piece of furniture not just as empty space that needs filling up, but as a backdrop for some of our most treasured items? That’s how professional interior stylists approach it, at least. Ahead, we asked five experts to share their favorite thing on their coffee table right now.
An Antique Tea Bowl
An antique ceramic tea bowl I found in Tokyo. It’s the most simple and beautiful form and reminds me of a special trip to Japan last year. —Brittany Albert
An Organizational Catchall
I have a set of catchall valet trays from Etsy that keep my coffee table organized, layered, and stylish. They’re made of molded Italian leather in the U.S. and are absolutely affordable. There are lots of different color options—my coffee table thanks me every day. —Scott Horne
A Box With Character
I love a beautiful box on a coffee table (think: marquetry, old wood, or other materials that improve as they age like silver and brass). You can always add a pop of color, like a deep red lacquer box. They work well paired with books and other beautiful small objects, plus they can also hide remote controls, coasters, and those things you need but don’t want to look at! —Mariana Marcki
A Rock…
My favorite accessory on my coffee table right now is a rust red mineral stone I found on a hike in upstate New York. I love the idea of bringing found objects into a space, especially when it’s something from nature. It sits on top of some books. —Pablo Olguin
…And Some More Rocks
Because I have a toddler, I don’t have a lot of accessories on my coffee table at the moment, but I remember styling Tish Cyrus’s coffee table for her Domino feature, and I used some rocks she had collected on the beach and saved with her daughter, Miley, and thought it was so sweet and sentimental. —Merisa Libbey
