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    21 Coffee Table Decor Ideas For Your First Adult Apartment

    Step away from the coasters.

    Julia Marzovilla's avatar
    By Julia Marzovilla
    Published 28 December 2020 In Buying Guides

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    21 Coffee Table Decor Ideas For Your First Adult Apartment
    (Image credit: net-a-porter.com / nordstrom.com / burkedecor.com)
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    So you're finally moving into your first real adult apartment. Congrats! Welcome to the world of home decor. You've probably already found your bed, your couch, and maybe even a rug or two. You've even found knick-knacks to go on your window ledge. But when it comes to your coffee table, you might be feeling a little stuck. Aside from said couch, coffee tables are the true centerpiece of your living room. It's where you can reveal a bit of your personal decor style without breaking the bank. To help you out, we've rounded up 21 out-0f-the-box options for coffee table decor. From stunning books to card games to flashy decorative objects, this list has it all.

    Butterfly Garden Canister

    The Baker's Pick
    1. MacKenzie-Childs Butterfly Garden Canister
    $92.00 AT AMAZON.COM

    Store your latest batch of cookies or brownies in this tin. Your guests will have a hard time not snacking on them.

    Colourblock Notebook

    The Organized Pick
    2. Papier Colourblock Notebook
    $26.99 AT PAPIER.COM

    You know when you're on the phone and you need to jot something down before you forget it? Never miss a brainstorm by keeping a few of these bright notebooks on your coffee table.

    St. Jude Bell-Shaped Scented Candle in Yuletide Spice

    The Do-Good Pick
    3. Pottery Barn St. Jude Bell-Shaped Scented Candle in Yuletide Spice
    $44.00 AT POTTERYBARN.COM

    25 percent of the proceeds from this gorgeous candle are donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. What more reason do you need to pick one up for yourself?

    Actually Curious Card Game

    The Curious Pick
    4. Actually Curious Actually Curious Card Game
    $25.00 AT WESTELM.COM

    Get to know your friends a little better with this card game by Actually Curious. These cards are literally designed to bring people closer: they're made using research and science from psychologists.

    Humans

    The Great Read
    5. St. Martin's Press Humans
    $13.87 AT AMAZON.COM

    This is the IRL version of the world-famous instagram account Humans of New York. Whether you live there or not, you can learn something from the anecdotes featured in this book.

    Kirby Vases in Various Styles

    The Artsy Pick
    6. Areaware Kirby Vases in Various Styles
    $40.00 AT BURKEDECOR.COM

    Vases can all look the same. This one by Areaware isn't your typical vase, so it will stand out on any table.

    Catchall Dish

    The Does-It-All Pick
    7. PRETTI.COOL Catchall Dish
    $28.00 AT NORDSTROM.COM

    Keep your keys in the same place every night, thanks to this dish. You'll never run out without them again.

    Boyfriend Room Spray by Kate Walsh

    The "Manly" Pick
    8. Boyfriend Boyfriend Room Spray by Kate Walsh
    $37.00 AT AMAZON.COM

    This bottle of room spray looks chic on any table. Use it to relax with notes of dark plum, myrrh, and blooming jasmine. Sounds perfect to me.

    Romantic Tea Light Candle Holders

    The Elevated Pick
    9. ChasBete Romantic Tea Light Candle Holders
    $14.99 AT AMAZON.COM

    Up your candle game with these tea light holders. They make even the tiniest of tea lights look elevated.

    Spiral Twist Candles

    The Internet-Famous Pick
    10. Lex Pott Spiral Twist Candles
    $40.00 AT UNCOMMONGOODS.COM

    Normal candles not your thing? These twirly candles are the perfect modern touch. And they come in bright colors to match any decor.

    Linea Coasters (Set of 4)

    The Fashionable Pick
    11. The Vintage Vogue Linea Coasters (Set of 4)
    $29.00 AT WESTELM.COM

    Keep your coffee table safe with this set of graphic yet neutral coasters

    Succulent Trio

    The Gardener's Pick
    12. The Sill Succulent Trio
    $50.00 AT THESILL.COM

    Succulents are the no-fuss way to make it look like your apartment is a mini botanical garden.

    Copper Leaves

    The Random-But-Perfect Pick
    13. Anthropologie Copper Leaves
    $14.95 AT ANTHROPOLOGIE.COM

    Place these on your coffee table—and around the rest of your apartment—to evoke some serious fall vibes.

    Dried Gypsophila Bouquet

    The Anti-Green Thumb Pick
    14. Anthropologie Dried Gypsophila Bouquet
    $24.95 AT ANTHROPOLOGIE.COM

    So, every plant you've ever owned has died on you. We get it! This bouquet of dried flowers is just as beautiful.

    Capri Blue Reed Diffuser

    The Discreet Pick
    15. Capri Blue Capri Blue Reed Diffuser
    $28.80 AT ANTHROPOLOGIE.COM

    If you're scared to have a candle burning at all times, this reed diffuser from Capri Blue is the perfect substitute. Plus, it doubles as a colorful centerpiece.

    Capri Dolce Vita by Cesare Cunaccia Hardcover Book

    The Travel Pick
    16. Assouline Capri Dolce Vita by Cesare Cunaccia Hardcover Book
    $95.00 AT NET-A-PORTER.COM

    Even if you can't actually travel right now, let your mind wander. This book is filled with photos of Capri that will make you want to book a trip.

    Decorative Metal Cube Black

    The Modern Pick
    17. Threshold w/Studio McGee Decorative Metal Cube Black
    $20.00 AT TARGET.COM

    What, you don't have a black wire box on your coffee table? We're not totally sure what this is for, but we want it nonetheless.

    Bala Lidded Pineapple

    The Fun Pick
    18. IMAX Bala Lidded Pineapple
    $47.00 AT WALMART.COM

    Listen: pineapples make perfect home decor. We don't make the rules.

    Drinks Please Bell

    The Playful Pick
    19. Slant Collections Drinks Please Bell
    $8.69 AT SHOPBOP.COM

    Be the hostess with the mostest thanks to this tiny little bell. Your friends—or partner—can ring it whenever they're in need of a refill.

    Snowball Globe

    The Classic Pick
    20. COOLSNOWGLOBES Snowball Globe
    $27.00 AT NORDSTROM.COM

    You probably had snow globes in your room when you were a kid. This one is a thoroughly modern update to the classic holiday piece.

    Lava Lamp

    The Retro Pick
    21. Urban Outfitters Lava Lamp
    $26.00 AT URBANOUTFITTERS.COM

    Bring back a few cherished childhood memories with this retro lava lamp. Let the good vibes commence.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

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    Julia Marzovilla
    Julia Marzovilla
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    Former Fashion E-Commerce Editor

    Julia Marzovilla is the former Fashion E-Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she reviewed the latest launches from fashion and beauty brands, finds the best on-sale items around the internet, and interviews experts to find the best products in any category to share with her readers. She also created shopping guides that span every vertical on the site as an expert in everything from the best laptop bags to the best laser hair removal devices.

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