Tips For Creating An Easy Summer Coffee Table Vignette

Summer is here! Are you ready to do a little coffee table styling for the sunny days ahead?

Summer vignette of blue hydrangeas in a white vase in a wicker tray on coffee table.

This post is packed with tips for creating one of my favorite coffee table decorating ideas – a vibrant summer vignette.

This time of year, the livin’ is easy, and it’s a time for using uncomplicated, laid back decor in our homes. That doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be beautiful, though.

I used my guide for 7 easy steps to create the perfect vignette, but today, I want to specifically talk about putting together the perfect vignette for summer!

It features my favorite summer flower, a stack of books, and a few coastal touches, all beautifully arranged in a round wicker tray. Let’s break it down.

A summer color palette is a must

When coming up with your color palette, think of the colors that evoke summer feelings for you. There is no right or wrong answer here – just decorate with what you love!

Seashells, a book, flowers and blue glass in the vignette on the coffee table.

You may prefer soft pastels, such as ocean blues and sandy beiges, but I prefer a color palette that includes bright colors this time of year.

My favorite summer colors to decorate with are blue, green, coral, and sometimes yellow.

My blue hydrangea bush is currently blooming its heart out, so I couldn’t resist cutting a few of the gorgeous blossoms to act as the focal point of this display.

They are the inspiration for my color scheme of blue and white for this vignette.

You may not have hydrangeas available to you, but that’s okay! Any type of floral or greenery stems will work, real or artificial, from your yard or from the store.

Use summer-themed decorative objects

If you want to really anchor your vignette in the season, make sure to incorporate summer-themed decor items.

Just like with your color scheme, use objects that reflect what summer is all about.

Some of my favorite summer things to include:

a large shell or a bowl filled with a variety of smaller shells
a small decorative lantern containing a small candle
small bowls or plates in your color scheme
a piece of coral or a starfish
a glass fishing float
something sculptural, such as a tropical bird or parrot figurine
a framed image taken on summer vacation

TIP: Personalize your display by including pieces that speak to your personal memories of summer, making your coffee table not just a display, but a storytelling canvas for your own summer experiences.

I love minimal touches of coastal decor during the summer, so I included several things that say “summer” to me:

the color blue
beautiful summer flowers
the color white
natural elements
coastal decorative pieces
woven rattan basket

Include natural elements

Summertime is all about outdoor living, so including natural elements is only well, natural!

Wicker tray on a coffee table containing a summer vignette.

It isn’t only about adding beauty to your space, but is also about creating a connection with the outdoors during the warm summer months.

Start by introducing vibrant summer flowers such as hydrangeas, sunflowers or daisies. Whether fresh-cut or faux, any one of these will bring a burst of life and color to your entire room.

TIP: The beauty of using fresh flowers in a summer vignette is that you simply change the blooms in your vase as the season progresses and leave the rest of the accessories the same.

If flowers aren’t your jam, use greenery instead. Ferns, tropical monstera leaves, faux lemon or orange stems would all be perfect.

Other natural elements to consider:

an interesting piece of driftwood
coral is wonderful for adding texture
terra cotta containers
a pretty polished stone
a sand-filled decorative glass container

Texture is a must

A variety of textures is essential for adding interest and depth to a coffee table display.

Every vignette should contain a mix of textures – rough, smooth, hard, soft, intricate lines, simple lines, and everything in between.

A starfish and coral plus blue glass in the vignette.

Start out by using a woven wicker tray or basket as the base to introduce a rustic texture.

Pair this with smooth, glazed ceramic or glass elements, such as a small vase or decorative balls.

The contrast between rough and smooth surfaces will make your vignette more engaging and tactile.

Take it a step further by adding a touch of metallic sheen with a tiny brass figurine or a small pewter dish. Introducing another layer of extra texture will create a rich, layered look that is even more pleasing to the eye.

Layer with stacks of books

Decorating anything is all about the layers. Obviously, the first layer in my vignette consists of a woven basket. It’s my favorite one to use during the summer.

In addition, layering with stacks of books is a classic technique for adding different heights within your vignette.

I use books everywhere and they are one of my #1 decorating staples in my home decor capsule that I keep on hand! If you need something taller, simply add another book or remove books for something lower.

Choose books with covers that complement your summer color scheme or that feature thematic elements like travel, gardening, or summer cuisine.

A book placed flat can serve as a stage for a small vase or a decorative object, effectively spotlighting it.

Don’t forget the viewing angle

Furniture often gets rearranged during the summer, so don’t forget to consider that the viewing angle may have changed.

The blue flowers in a white vase in the wicker basket.

The coffee table in my living room can be seen from all sides, but I arranged the items according to the direction that most people will see it from.

I purposely stage my vignettes so that the tallest element (the vase of flowers in this case) is to the back of the display.

The medium height element in my display is the piece of coral, which wouldn’t be tall enough on its own, so it’s elevated on a stack of books.

The lowest element in my summer vignette is a glass fishing float wrapped in heavy twine. The shade of blue is fabulous and the heavy twine adds one more touch of that all important texture.

blue hydrangeas in a white vase in a wicker tray on coffee table.

The location of objects of varied heights is crucial for drawing your eye in!

When it comes to the number of items, I just about always strive to follow the rule of odds (aka the rule of 3’s). So I added a large starfish that I picked up at the beach a few years ago, which rounds the vignette out nicely.

It’s just one of those rather unexpected touches that helps to complete the whole summer vibe of the display.

More favorite coffee table decor ideas for summer

Along with the vignette, there are other items to consider adding to complete the whole summer vibe:

coffee table books that have an outdoor living or gardening theme
a stack of wicker decorative boxes (great for holding remotes and other small items that you don’t want on display)
a scented candle in a pretty vessel
a strand of frosted blue or aqua oversized glass beads
a decorative ceramic ball displayed on a vintage brass stand
a bowl of seasonal fruit