An outdoor coffee table is a central piece of furnitures for every gathering that occurs on your patio. This piece of furniture is where all of the guests can place they drinks, and it is also where many of the conversations will take place over long periods. Often, coffee tables will appear to be empty or even slightly clutter with items that do not relate to the indoor decor of your home.
If you choose the correct decor element for your outdoor coffee table, you can transform this area into an ideal spot for all of your entertaining needs. The decor you choose should relate to your indoor decor and your natural environment, while also expressing your personality. To decorate your outdoor coffee table, you do not need to purchase a large number of decor item for your patio area.
Instead, you can choose from eight different decor idea that will work well in a backyard, balcony, or terrace. You can only use two of these decor items, or you can continue to add decor items until your coffee table appears to be part of your home. The first decor item to purchase for your outdoor coffee table is a tray.
Eight Great Ideas for Outdoor Coffee Table Decor
1. Trays
A large wooden tray with raised edge is ideal, or you can opt for a rectangular metal tray with handles. The main benefit of using a tray are that it will hold all of the other decor items for your coffee table. This will allow you to ensure that the items do not drift away from the coffee table while the weather is particularly windy.
Additionally, the tray will allow your candles or coasters to appear as if they are arrange with purpose. Choose a color for the tray that complements another color in your outdoor area, such as the color of your deck chair or the stone in your fireplace. This will make your coffee table decor look even more intentional when placed on your coffee table.
2. Books
The next decor item you should purchase are books. You should choose hardcover books with interesting title, and you should purchase books that you have read or that you would like to read while entertaining your guests. Place two or three books horizontally on the coffee tray.
Then, place a succulent or rock on the books. The books will provide visual variety for the coffee table, while the muted colors of the books will contrast good with the colors of the other decor items on the table. Because books are heavy, they will keep any decor items from being blown off the coffee table in the wind.
Bring the books indoors in the event of a heavy rainstorm, however. Another decor item that should be added to your coffee table is greenery. Greenery that changes color with the passing of the seasons is ideal.
3. Greenery
For example, you could use a ceramic bowl with moss, a glass container of pothos cutting, or a short vase with lavender stem. These plant will draw the attention of your guests outward from your coffee table to the garden or trees in your yard. Choose greenery that will tolerate the amount of sunlight that your coffee table receives.
4. Succulents and Air Plants
If you travel often, use succulents and air plants to decorate the coffee table. These types of plant will survive if you do not have time to water them when you visit. For lighting for the coffee table, use small battery-operated tea lights in hurricane glass or a large lantern with an Edison bulb.
5. Lighting
Avoid harsh overhead lighting for your patio area. The lighting will create a warm atmosphere for your guests, and will cast shadows onto the coffee table that hide your imperfections. An additional option is to place a strand of micro fairy lights along the edge of the coffee table tray.
Do not use too much light for your coffee table decoration, however, or the area may become blinding for your guests when the lights are on. Place the lights on your coffee table in such a way that guests will not have to squint to see the decor item. Otherwise, the lighting for your coffee table may make it more difficult for your guests to have an enjoyable conversation with one another.
6. Natural Elements
Another decor idea is to incorporate one unexpected decor item that originates from nature. For example, you can incorporate driftwood into the coffee table arrangement along with a bowl of smooth river stone and a few seed pod. These item add character to your coffee table that is created from natural products.
These item can tell the story of your travels or your favorite walk in the area. Give these item a quick cleaning before placing them on the coffee table. Another decor item to consider for your outdoor coffee table are textiles.
7. Textiles
Linen napkin, a throw blanket, and outdoor pillows can all be placed on the coffee table to increase the comfort of the area. Choose textiles in muted color that coordinate well with the colors in your garden. The textiles will soften the harshness of the decor item on the coffee table.
Additionally, these textile will allow you to change the look of the coffee table without purchasing new decor items. Choose textiles that are labeled for outdoor use to avoid purchasing textiles that become soggy with the morning dew. Another decor element to add to your coffee table is scent.
8. Scent
You can introduce a scent such as citronella into the area using a decorative holder, rosemary sprig, or a diffuser with essential oils. This scent will help to keep your guests from getting bit by mosquitoes while they are sitting on the patio. Additionally, the scent will smell wonderful and transport your guests to a vacation spot.
Place the scent source on one side of the coffee table instead of in the center. This will avoid clashing with the scent of any drink that your guests may be drinking. Only use one scent for your coffee table to ensure that it is not too overwhelming for your guests.
9. Sculptural Objects
The last decor item to add to your outdoor coffee table is a sculptural object. An example of such an object would be a ceramic bowl, a brass compass, or a planter with a geometric solid shape. This object should be the tallest object on the coffee table.
This will allow the guests eyes to naturally move to the object and then to the view of your patio. As a sculptural object, there is no need to place flower into the object. The object should be interesting on its own.
Choose an object that is heavy enough to remain on the coffee table without tipping over, yet light enough that you can move it if you would like to rearrange the item on the coffee table. In designing your coffee table decor, you should ensure that all of the item you choose for your coffee table are of appropriate scale for your specific area. For example, you should not use a large decorative sculpture if the size of your balcony limits the placement of the sculpture.
Additionally, you should not use a number of small decor items for a large coffee table; they will look lost within the large area. Ensure that there is enough breathing room in the area for your guests to place their drink on the coffee table without moving any decor items. Finally, ensure that your decor item on the coffee table are not permanent.
For example, if you have a board game, you can replace the books with the board game for game night. During the holiday season, you can replace the succulent with holly sprig. The decor item for the coffee table can change with the change of the seasons and your mood.
Above all, however, you just want the coffee table to be an extension of your home. When you enter your yard and the light hits the coffee table in the proper fashion with the scent of rosemary filling the area, you will know that you have successfully decorated your outdoor coffee table. Your coffee table will go beyond being a simple coffee table to an area of your yard that you always want to gather with your friend and family.
The effort that you put into arranging your coffee table decor is, therefore, worth it.
