As the holiday season approaches, I am ever on the lookout for fresh, innovative, and unique ways to turn my living space into a toasty winter wonderland. One part of my home that often doesn’t receive the attention it deserves, however, is the coffee table.

This flat surface in my living room is often just that: a flat surface on which to set things. But it has the potential to be so much more, especially when it comes to being a kind of “mini altar” for whatever seasonal transformations I want my living room to undergo.

So with that idea in mind and with the help of my research assistant, the blogosphere, I have generated some ideas and inspiration for what to do with my coffee table this Christmas.

The 28 Best Christmas Coffee Table Decor Ideas

1. Rustic Woodland Christmas Centerpiece

Creating a Christmas centerpiece in a rustic woodland style is a surefire way to bring warmth and charm to your decor. There are, of course, many ways to achieve this look.

My go-to method is to gather what I can from nature. On my walks, I collect pinecones, twigs, and any other natural elements that catch my fancy.

I haul those home, along with lots and lots of evergreen boughs, and then layer them with candles and the odd small ornament on a wooden tray or in a bowl. The whole composition feels organic, as though plucked straight from the droopy forest floor.

2. Festive Red and Green Table Display

Creating a warm and inviting Christmas table display is something I truly enjoy, and I’m delighted to share my process with you. My first step is to unfurl (and sometimes iron) a table runner in an intense red hue to serve as the base of my color palette.

From there, I take to the middle of the table—in this case, the coffee table—but it could also be the dining table, and lay down several textured evergreen boughs along with assorted pinecones. Next, the conversation took a turn toward candles, in which context I presented my favorite candle holders.

They are sleek and shiny, and with the combination of tapered red and green candles (not lit, for the safety of the materials), I assure you the look is both rustic and sophisticated.

3. Vintage Christmas Ornament Arrangement

There is something so charming about vintage Christmas ornaments on a coffee table, and nothing really brings the same nostalgia and warmth to a holiday coffee table. When I attempt to create such a look, I gather together what I consider to be old-world ornaments—things like glass baubles, wooden figurines, and other seemingly fragile types of ornaments.

In past years, I’ve arranged them either in a vintage tray or a bowl for a centerpiece look (but without a tablescape effect). When I do that, I try to keep in mind that mixing textures and colors adds to the overall depth of the look.

And sometimes, I use fairy lights among the ornaments to bring an extra glow to the arrangement.

4. Elegant Gold and White Decor

I am blending simplicity with grace to achieve an eye-catching coffee table display for Christmas. Gold and white are my chosen shades, as I find both to be rich in elegance.

Gold, of course, is a classic luxury hue that makes great sense for a celebratory setup. Although this color can easily tip the scales toward being too ostentatious, I tend to think of vibrant gold as something fresh, a look that can be achieved with ornaments, fresh flowers, or accents through napkins or simply tied ribbon.

White, on the other hand—especially in a glossy finish, as I’m achieving with a tray—is pure serenity and allows for all the gold to shine without worrying about it being a color combination that’s too loud.

5. Minimalist Nordic Christmas Setup

My passion for creating a peaceful Nordic Christmas coffee table has me starting with a basic, light foundation upon which I can build my scene. I occasionally use a tablecloth, but many times I go without to keep things even simpler.

Wood is a huge part of the scene I create, and even the palettes I build upon for some of my decor have been reclaimed from a local sawmill. I utilize candlelight (but also try to ensure fire safety so that my scene doesn’t go up in flames), and miniature decor pieces that are significant to me.

Rounding out my tablescape is a nearly empty glass, a simple vessel that invites the eyes up and over the scene when the table is otherwise empty.

6. Traditional Plaid Table Spread

There is nothing quite like plaid to make a cozy feel in a Christmas setting. I start my coffee table with a plaid tablecloth.

Unsurprisingly, the plaid is the best part and gives the best vibe. Next come a few pine sprigs and red candles.

I enjoy the rustic aesthetic of the arrangements, which feel very down-to-earth. The large red candle in the center is a great conversation starter.

7. Whimsical Santa and Reindeer Scene

Imagine a scene where Santa and his reliable reindeer are soaring through the air over a snow-covered countryside. I create this whimsical tableau in my home, using miniature figurines filled with holiday lore to tell a different kind of Christmas story.

And on this snowy weekend, I constructed the setting for a Christmas card photo shoot, indoors but near the windows just to the right of where I’m typing. The daylight isn’t so wintry today—it’s clear and bright, almost sunny, which, after last night’s snow, makes for the only kind of winter wonderland this close to the 26th of December.

8. Cozy Knit Blanket Table Cover

Adding a knit blanket cover to your coffee table gives the entire room a warm and charming feeling. As I look around my living room, I can’t help but imagine every soft surface in a woven cozy.

There’s really no more perfect time of year to bring that kind of energy to a space than during the holiday season. If you’re just not the kind of person who might cozy up their table with a woven wall hanging or some knit goods in general, then I suggest going with a centerpiece.

Opt for something incredibly simple like a small stack of books with a candle flanking them for a great time of day or just a small wreath. The invitation to “sit and be cozy” is pronounced from my coffee table.

9. Sparkling Silver and Navy Blue Theme

An elegant display makes the Christmas coffee table an exquisite transformation that goes beyond mere decency. Guests will know your taste is understated yet refined with this table that marries calm navy blue with gleaming silver.

Deep navy blue is used here as the base. A table runner in navy blue is just the thing to achieve an anchored look.

Not few but instead several silver elements like candle holders, ornaments, or coasters are a must. Obvioulsy, the centerpiece should not only be well-thought-out but also a visually interesting assemblage of colors, spheres, and height.

Navy blue mini ornaments in a glass bowl is just about the best centerpiece going but should be executed very well.

10. Nutcracker Ballet Inspired Arrangement

An arrangement for a coffee table inspired by the Nutcracker Ballet is a delightful way to bring the magic of the season into your home. I am gathering together some miniature nutcracker figures in an arrangement at the center of the table.

They are nestled among some figurines that are meant to represent a “snowstorm” of faux (read: safe and mess-free) snow. Rimming the coffee table is a border of sprigs of evergreen and twinkling fairy lights, which adds a coziness and warmth to what might otherwise seem an austere arrangement.

I made this “Ballet en Blanc” as a whimsical holiday decoration. You can too!

11. Winter Wonderland Snowy Scene

Christmas coffee table decor can provide a snowy winter setting for living spaces. Start by laying a soft faux fur runner across the table.

This is your snow. Next, place a few glass cloche domes filled with decor that bestows an authentic appearance of a holiday scene.

The key to this snowy table, without it being an actual snow globe, is the use of elements that contrast the ‘snowy’ part of the decor with touches of nature that warm the visual palette. That might mean placing a few tiny wooden houses amidst the faux snow and using a handful of bottlebrush trees and twinkle lights to create a magical glow that says, “Welcome, holiday guests!”

12. Candy Cane Striped Decor

With the appearance of the appearance of Christmas, the coffee tables in our house reflect the whimsical spectacle that this season can bring. A mix of adorable and slightly crazy elements (not too cute, of course) blends our otherwise serious sensibility with the pure joy of the holidays.

My favorite color scheme—red and white—is at the heart of this look. I used the table runner, the fleece, and our stair railing to create a three-dimensional striped ribbon effect that runs through the middle of the room, giving this setup a stunning two-for-one visual.

13. Classic Christmas Carol Book Display

There is a festive charm that fills any room when you display vintage Christmas carol books. My choice of books for this display are not only old, but they also have beautifully designed covers.

The combination of these two factors makes my display not just a vehicle for holiday cheer, but also a display of art. 

This way, I create a look that’s both inviting and also respectful of Santa and his reindeer all the way to the next Christmas season.

14. Jingle Bells and Holly Berries Setup

I put together a delightful Christmas coffee table decor that marries jingle bells and holly berries. To begin with, I set a stark red runner onto the surface of the table.

I then positioned the golden jingle bells in a sunbeam-catching cluster right in the middle of the table. There is the finishing flourish: letting just the slightest amount of light reflect off the jingle bells.

I then took very small sprigs of shrubby holly red berries.

And because it’s not Christmas without candles, I set fire to five little candles (in glass holders, for safety’s sake).

15. Frosted Pine Cone Table Feature

An eye-catching centerpiece for holiday gatherings can be easy and elegant. Collect some pine cones and make sure they’re clean.

Lightly spray them with white paint to give them a frosted look. Arrange them in a shallow dish.

To up the ante on your display’s charm, include some faux pine sprigs, berries, or small ornaments amidst the cones. The centerpiece can sit on your coffee table.

This can be one way your home can show off the holiday spirit and also seem cozy in the natural, albeit chic, way that’s so in right now.

16. Glittering Gold Candle Arrangement

For any Christmas coffee table, you can add a touch of elegance with candles. When you imagine them, picture not just the static warmth of candlelight but also the dimension that gold brings to any tabletop.

When picking gold candles, don’t go for just one size or one style. Mix in some tall, short, and even wide amounts of candlelight.

Put those on a decorative tray or directly on the table (no need to go overboard with trays). Surround the tray with golden accents.

You might use ornaments for this (goodbye, glitter), maybe even some perfect-looking pinecones. And remember to add some greenery, because what table is a Christmas table without some life-holding plants?

17. Joyful Elf on the Shelf Scene

There is magic in creating an Elf on the Shelf scene for a joyful holiday tableau. I like to arrange the elf in a playful pose, maybe with some tiny, wrapped gifts or walking around a miniature Christmas tree.

The elf’s mischievous expression is key. Whatever the props may be—a cozy blanket, a smattering of faux snow, a few marbles for movement and to suggest a fresh batch of cookies somewhere—I ensure that the elf seems ready for its next big adventure.

What I like even better is that every time someone walks into the library, they’re bound to catch sight of the coffee table, where the elf both greets and entices them with the promise of hilarity.

18. Magical Fairy Light Enchantment

Enchanting fairy lights can turn any table into a magical marvel. I take strands of tiny twinkling lights and intertwine them with greenery—pine, holly, or something else I find at my local bodega—and let them cascade down the table.

In the warm, inviting glow of these lights, I place jars filled with the most straightforward and most affordable festive centerpieces imaginable. My kind of centerpiece, which has warm, inviting, lights, greenery, and candles, is as easy to put together as it is to find in my local bodega.

These are the only three ingredients you need for a winter evening gathering with friends or family.

19. Sleek Modern Metallic Decor

There’s something about the modern forms of metallic decor that creates an instant air of elegance on a Christmas coffee table. Using smooth, sleek line, and surfaces that shine, a whole even contemporary art decor look can be created for your tablescape.

I love incorporating that look when doing a design for any room. And, of course, with the use of several kinds of metallic finishes, you can easily achieve a harmonious, luxe, yet modern look that goes well beyond the season.

20. Homemade Gingerbread Village Centerpiece

Making a Christmas centerpiece of a gingerbread village is such a delightful project. I begin the process by baking all the different parts for the little houses that make up the villages.

Once they’ve baked and cooled, I assemble them using royal icing as both glue and decoration. After the houses are in place, I create a “snowy” scene atop a sturdy tray that I figured would work great as a base for the centerpiece.

I then set about adding a few small trees made of sugar cones, some little “figurines” I made from fondant, and, just for effect, a few random Christmas ornaments I “borrowed” from other parts of the apartment.

21. Nature-Inspired Evergreen Display

There is nothing more enchanting than sharing the beauty of nature with those I hold dear, and it’s easy to bring the outdoors in, particularly during the holiday season. I had my daughters and granddaughter over last weekend to assist me in creating a vibrant decor display with evergreen branches, pinecones, and a few strategically placed red berries.

We used ample evergreen clippings to create a density that can stop a wayward elf should one attempt to come down our chimney. Of course, companion pieces should never feel lackluster.

I took care to add a rustic touch by using pinecones. The goal of displaying evergreens so amply and artfully is to create a warm and inviting environment that feels, if I may say, “center-stage-y.”

22. Coastal Christmas Seashell Theme

Adding a bit of coastal charm to the Christmas decor is something I am especially fond of. For me, this beach-themed holiday is really not much different from a normal coastal winter.

I start with the foundations of a seaside Christmas. When it comes to tablescapes, a runner is an absolute must, and mine is not just any old splash of fabric.

23. Starry Night Sky Table Decoration

Think about taking your coffee table and making it a glowing winter night sky. This winter wonderland of a starry, starry table, may, in fact, be fit for a queen.

Picture this: A base of magnificent, deep blue tablecloths. Above that, price scattering around the surface of our coffee table what may or may not be military-grade confetti , in colors ranging from the traditional silver and gold to more recent discoveries like rose gold..

24. Sweet Sugar Plum Fairy Setup

The Sweet Sugar Plum Fairy Setup creates a magical coffee table display for Christmas. I start with colors of pastel pinks and purples.

Fairy lights are essential for this look, and I have a few twinkling away in the background. 

A decorative nutcracker and a glass cloche housing delicate Christmas ornaments make for a fabulous center display. A sprinkle of faux snow finishes the look, capturing just the right amount of whimsical top-of-the-line craftsmanship.

With this setup, you should feel totally free to be as enchanting and “fairy” as is required in December.

25. Charming Rustic Farmhouse Decor

Picture the mix of wood elements, soft lighting, and the conviviality of natural materials that go into the creation of oh-so-sweet little Christmas coffee tables.

26. Poinsettia and Ribbon Table Spread

A Poinsettia and Ribbon Table Spread makes for an elegant and festive Christmas coffee table. Poinsettias are not only beautiful but also one of the most traditional and classic decorations for Christmas.

When setting up this table spread, Poinsettias are the centerpiece. The vibrant red of the Poinsettias combined with the rich green satin ribbon creates a simple yet stunning contrast.

28. Refined Victorian Christmas Table Decor

The charm and elegance of a Victorian Christmas table is hard to beat. It should be a table that invites warmth, sophistication, and a little bit of sparkle!