Fall Coffee Table Styling with What I Had on Hand

 

Last week, I shared my excitement for pumpkin muffins  and how the fall bug hit me early this year. To soak up the season, I aimed to decorate my house for fall by the end of August. I didn’t quite hit that mark, wrapping up on September 1st, but I’m fairly pleased with the results. My dining area is a vibrant explosion of fall colors, so I wanted my living room’s coffee table to embrace a neutral, cozy vibe using only items I already owned. I turned to ChatGPT for inspiration, uploading a photo of my year-round coffee table setup and asking for a fall makeover that replicated the suggested design as closely as possible without spending a dime.

 

Here’s how it came together. The ChatGPT design featured a throw, but I didn’t have one that worked, so I swapped in a gauze runner. With a basket instead of a tray on top, I think it adds a soft, organic touch. In front, I placed a stack of books from 1740, part of the late Mr. O-P’s cherished collection that I hold dear. I didn’t have small figurines like the design suggested (my only option was a Limoges figure in clashing colors), so I chose a brass cat I’ve had for about 40 years—it adds a personal, timeless charm.

 

Inside the basket, I nestled a wooden pumpkin I bought years ago and a resin pumpkin from Pottery Barn last year. I reused my existing greenery for texture and paired it with iron candlesticks holding green candles, accented by a bittersweet berry candle ring for a pop of fall. 

After living with the setup for a couple of days, I wondered if it needed more, so I added a small pumpkin dish with a wooden lid for extra warmth. Two days later, I wasn't sure that I liked this addition.

Then, I second-guessed the iron candlesticks—they felt a bit heavy. So, I swapped them for green glass candlesticks, keeping the bittersweet berry ring at the base for continuity. 

Now, I’m torn between the two looks and need your help! My cousin is visiting for my birthday weekend (the weekend before, since my actual birthday is a Tuesday), and it’s her first time seeing my house. I want the coffee table to shine. Which design do you prefer: the iron candlesticks or the green glass ones? Be brutally honest—I’m open to suggestions to make this space perfect for my guests!

   This post is linked to: Tablescape Thursday