3 Unique Ways to Decorate a Wood Coffee Table

Design Makers + Breakers: Lights

Many designers will say that harsh overhead lighting is a common faux pas. It creates unnecessary shadows and can feel sterile and aggressive.

This TikTok audio is usually accompanied by stunning shots of romantically-lit homes, low-light lamps, decorative lights, and dreamy interiors. The trend points to an important lesson in interior design: lighting matters.

All over TikTok, people are adding small lamps in places they need a little extra light like the kitchen counter, bathroom vanity, and bedrooms. So is overhead lighting out and small lamps back?

First, let’s discuss the different types of lighting each room needs and why they’re important.

​Types of Lighting Each Room Needs

There are three main types of lighting that each room needs: ambient, accent, and task.

Ambient

Ambient is usually overhead, like that annoying one on your fan, but could also be recessed lighting, chandeliers, or sconces. While these kinds of lights are needed for general purpose, the trick is to make them dimmable. Having control over just how bright your ambience lights are, and having the ability to adjust based on the time of day makes all the difference.

Accent

Accent lighting is also important for creating cozy spaces within a room, for example, defining the living room from the dining room. Think little, table lamps, and picture, track, and up lights. They are used to highlight a specific piece of art or accompany a sitting area.

Task

Lastly, task lighting is just what it sounds like: lights you use when doing something specific. For example, the lights above your bathroom sink, pendants over the kitchen island, or a standing lamp next to your favorite reading chair. These are usually necessary aside from your design skills.

The key is to have a mixture of these three light sources. They each have their own role and add to the ambiance of a space. Most homes inherently have ambient lighting. When you move in, they’re there. And most people add task lighting for essential light where you need it. But accent lighting is often overlooked.

The Trendy Little Lamp

Which brings us back to the trendy “little lamp.” Those small, vintage-style lamps on kitchen counters, bedside tables, or playrooms are the accent lighting addition all of our homes have been craving. It rounds out the room and completes the dynamic design. No wonder we love them.

And perhaps after three years of living in our homes non-stop, we’ve learned the power of romanticizing one’s life. Turning in for the night and “closing the kitchen” by the light of a small lamp is infinitely more appealing than the horror of full light on the situation. The low lighting calls for more intimacy and a slower pace.

​Why You Need One

Creating rituals in your home is what will make you feel centered and connected to it. The simple act of going around to turn lights on or off can signal something more than just the need for light: the starting or ending of a work day, a beloved nighttime tradition, or the peace of knowing sleep is coming soon. Like making yourself a special drink to unwind or playing your favorite comfort TV show, keeping just the little lamps on can be a similar treat after a long day.

Plus, these lamps are so affordable. The small size and basic structure makes them unremarkable and easy to find. I’ve thrifted a few for under $15 and found some favorites on Amazon for under $50. If you’re looking for a classic pleated lampshade, this one is a gem.

Look around your home and ask yourself, what type of lighting do I have in here? Odds are, you’re missing one.

Coffee Table Books

Assouline Amalfi Coast Book ($105)

Embellish your coffee table with a bold, eye-catching book cover. This edition meets you at the Amalfi coast, showcasing the region's geographical marvels and finest restaurants, so you can start planning your next vacation right from the couch. Assouline produces dozens of books that display even more international destinations for you to pick from.

The Parklands: Trails and Secrets from the National Parks of the United States ($55)

Further fuel your wanderlust with this coffee table book focused on America's National Parks. The pages take you along a tour of the country's best regions to explore. You and your guests alike will certainly learn something new about the great outdoors as you flip through.

Home Bar: Over 60 Cocktails to Shake, Muddle and Stir at Home by Andy Clarke ($20)

This coffe table book is appealing and practical. The colorful, blocky illustrations pull you into the wonderful world of at-home bartending. Let your guests pick their drink from list book of 60+ cocktails, and you won't have to worry about finding a helpful guide to start shaking and muddling.

Architectural Digest at 100: A Century of Style ($87)

Obsessed with the Architectural Digest Open Door videos? Us too! This book embodies the beloved series, this time on paper. Each page gives a peek into the homes of well-known figures, from the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright to Barack and Michelle Obama. Top your coffee table with this collection of easy-to-access home decor inspo.

1,000 Record Covers ($25)

Music never fails to evoke fond memories of the past. This coffee table book is your complete companion for nights full of reminiscing with friends. Flip through the albums, and prepare to get sappy about your favorite songs.

Candles and Holders

UO Laurel Single Taper Candle Holder ($22)

This 2-in-1 candle and incense holder is the ideal coffee table decoration because the organic tray shape keeps things visually interesting, while the holder itself serves a useful double purpose. Smoke off your favorite incense scents while illuminating your space with a cute taper candle.

Uncommon Goods Blown Glass Mushroom Cap Candle ($55)

Style a coffee table centerpiece worth treasuring. This hand-blown mushroom vessel houses a moss-scented candle that you can light to unwind in the evenings. Although, this pick is so charming, it might be hard to bring a match to it.

54º Celsius Twist Candle ($50)

Set this funky candle beside an aesthetically pleasing match box so you can illuminate your room in a flash. The winding wax design is decorative enough to look stunning, even when the wick isn't lit.

UO Carmella Small Glass 6 oz Candle ($20)

Decorating your coffee table with colorful glass candles is an easy way to elevate the tablescape. The glass is attractive because of its hand-blown construction, and the bubble-like shape makes things chic. If you're craving a little something extra for your cozy dwelling, set out a few smaller candles like this one.

Pacific Jade Feminist Sayings Variety Pack ($60)

Can't resist a fresh scent? This soy candle duo fills your living room with a Sea of Sage and swells of Golden Vanilla. The neutral, minimal design makes styling your coffee table with these candles truly effortless. Plus, your purchase benefits charitable organizations that advocate for women's rights.

The Floral Society Copper Incense Holder ($36)

Spark up a savory scent and easily put it on display in an incense holder. Don a section of your coffee table with this minimalist design and a bunch of incense sticks for an access to a relaxing post-work ritual.

Paddywax Candles Realm Candle ($23)

The wide base on this candle serves as a coffee table centerpiece of sorts. Bask in the warm glow of this bamboo-scented candle during a low-key night in. Once the wax is used up, you can upcycle the glass container for a special catchall tray!

Coffee Table Trays and Catchalls

Iridescent Perfume Tray ($20)

This vibrant storage tray can hold your candles, coasters, and more when they're not being used. The acrylic material makes this pick an absolutely breeze to clean. Snag this pick if your coffee table space needs a dose of color!

Schoolhouse Everyday Tray - Rectangle ($18)

This catchall tray goes beyond storing your coffee table accessories. It can be your new central spot for accumulating mail and miscellaneous paperwork. You can also use it as a serving tray for some delicious finger foods! Peek at the enticing colors and sizes this design comes in to accomodate your desired space!

Bell Manufacturing Onda Tray ($150)

If your coffee table is a high-traffic area for other activities, this functional design is a must-have. The handles on each side make it easy to lift out of the way, if needed. The tray is crafted out of metal, so it's easy to keep clean and can withstand the normal wear and tear.

Steven Bukowksi Scape Trays ($100)

This adaptable design makes our inner child happy. The simple, primary color palette and funky metal trims feel extremely playful, yet the trays are useful in storing miscellaneous house items. Divide the set up to organize every room in the house, or keep them united for a stackable look.

Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Round 16" Metal Decor Tray ($35)

This neutral colorway pairs well with any coffee table decor or interior style. The tray keeps things simple, and the side handles definitely streamline the decorating process.

UO Icon Catch-All Dish ($10)

This dish is your BFF for catching the jewelry you shed after the work day. The design comes in five different colors to suit your space's vibe! Pop it on your coffee table next to a luxurious candle to keep things organized and polished.

Coffee Table Coasters

homEdge Vinyl Record Coasters ($9)

Give these guys a spin on your coffee table! These vinyl coasters are ideal for an eclectic addition, and appeal to music lovers all around. They lay the perfect foundation for your ice-cold drinks and cans!

Uncommon Goods Hand-Dyed Zodiac Coasters ($14)

Ponder the stars amid this stitched set of zodiac coasters! They'll make a home on your coffee table in no time. Your besties can reserve their star sign each time they visit to keep their drink cozy, and your table ring-free.

MoMA Design Store Geo Stacking Coasters ($30)

These coasters greet your coffee table guests with a lively color palette. Each design differs from the other, so you can easily distinguish between drinks. The silicone material makes these coasters simple to clean, and provides a unique tactile experience, if you just need to fidget with something. Give your glass nothing but the best!

Graf Lantz Felt Coasters ($24)

These felt coasters catch all the condensation, without staining or feeling wet. They also supply a healthy pop of color to refresh your coffee table. The collection of pinks and purples are to die for, but you can also snag these in blue hues.

Fish Design by Gaetano Pesce Set of 2 Table-Mates Small ($30)

These handmade resin coasters burst out in 9 different color pairings to accompany every evening sip. Their funky shape plays well with any space, as long as you like accents that deliver a quirky aesthetic.

1996 — Kate and Leo meet on the set of Titanic.

We all know and love the friends-to-lovers trope, but Winslet and DiCaprio are the poster children for the lovers-to-friends trope. The actors met while playing love interests in Titanic. Although their onscreen relationship has never come to fruition offscreen, Winslet says the pair immediately clicked as friends.

“He was just very free with himself, and he had this effervescent energy that was really magnetic,” she said in a 2023 Titanic re-release featurette. “And I remember thinking, 'Oh, this is gonna be fun. We're definitely gonna get along.' And we just really did. We just really did.”

1998 — They walk the red carpet together at the Golden Globes.

If you Google “young Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet,” there’s a 99 percent chance the first pictures will be from this red carpet, mostly because Winslet’s look is sooo ’90s. In an interview with ET, DiCaprio says they absolutely came together, but clarifies that they’re “good buddies.”

2008 — They join forces on screen again.

The first movie Winslet and DiCaprio did together post-Titanic was Revolutionary Road, where they play another couple who doesn’t work out because one of them dies by the end of the movie (quite a specific niche to fall into, no?). Unlike Jack and Rose, their characters in Revolutionary Road have a tense relationship, which Winslet said made working on the film “an immensely emotionally challenging experience” for both of them.

“There’s just a trust factor there. We both know that we have the best intentions for each other, but we also know that we can push each other’s limits,” DiCaprio said in an interview for the film. “There’s probably no other actress out there that I would feel as comfortable attacking, and I know she can give every bit of it right back to me.”

2009 — Kate shouts Leo out in her Golden Globes acceptance speech.

Winslet won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture — Drama for her role in Revolutionary Road. She gave a heartfelt speech that included some very kind words for her costar and best friend.

“Leo, I’m so happy I can stand here and tell you how much I love you and how much I’ve loved you for 13 years. Your performance in this film is nothing short of spectacular. I love you with all my heart, I really do,” Winslet said. DiCaprio blew her multiple kisses as she spoke. Feel free to join in the audience’s aww-ing; this moment is just too sweet.

2012 — Leo walks Kate down the aisle.

A source told Us Weekly that DiCaprio walked Winslet down the aisle at her wedding to Ned Rocknroll (whose real name is Edward Abel Smith, in case you were worried) in December 2012.

2016 — Kate Winslet cries at Leonardo DiCaprio’s Oscar speech.

When Leo finally won his first Oscar in 2016 for The Revenant, the camera cut to Kate tearing up and clasping her hands in front of her face during his speech. She was also spotted giving him a quick, friendly kiss on the cheek during a commercial break.

2017 — They have dinner in Saint-Tropez.

Pictures blew up over the internet of DiCaprio and Winslet “vacationing” together in Saint-Tropez, but Winslet later revealed that they were there on business. “Leo did his annual fundraiser for the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. He and I went together and we auctioned off dinner with Jack and Rose and actually raised $1.35 million. It was extraordinary,” she told E!.

2021 — They reunite for the first time since the pandemic hit.

Winslet revealed that she cried the first time she saw DiCaprio after the pandemic began. “I’ve known him for half my life! It’s not as if I’ve found myself in New York or he’s been in London and there’s been a chance to have dinner or grab a coffee and a catch up,” she told The Guardian. “We haven’t been able to leave our countries. Like so many friendships globally, we’ve missed each other.”

2023 — Winslet reflects on her friendship with DiCaprio on Titanic’s re-release featurette.

Kate Winslet revealed that when she and Leonardo DiCaprio call each other, they pick up the phone right away. “There’s no like, ‘Hang on, I’ll call you tomorrow.’ It's instant,” she told ET Online. Think about that next time your bestie gives you an impromptu ring.

The actress also got a bit more sentimental about her long-standing friendship with Leo. “You know, if you think about it, in the world that we live in now, to have friendships that bind you, and that shared history, it’s really something,” she said.

One thing’s for sure: if the Titanic had actually gone down in 1997, Kate would have definitely made room for Leo on that dang door.

November 4, 2024 — Kate Winslet Praises Leonardo DiCaprio and Revolutionary Road

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Kate Winslet recalls just how difficult it was bringing Revolutionary Road to life. The story follows Frank and April Wheeler as they struggle with both the cracks in their marriage and their 1950s suburban reality.

"The thing that people say is, 'You got to work with Leo again.' Then they go off on the whole Leo tangent, which I totally understand," she says. "But Revolutionary Road — f—king hell, it just knocked us all sideways. Unbelievably difficult material. I was very proud of that film and what Leo and I were able to create as Frank and April. It was so brutal."

November 19, 2024 — Leonardo DiCaprio Supports Kate Winslet's Lee

Leo made a special screening of Kate Winslet's Lee even more special by showing up to support her! The two were photographed hugging in front of the poster and it's truly the push I needed to get through the week :').