My mornings are pretty routine. Alarm goes off, press snooze for ten more minutes. Once my second annoying alarm sounds go off, I grab the phone and scroll through emails, followed by Instagram, Facebook, and occasionally Twitter (mainly for any breaking news overnight). Within the first fifteen minutes of waking, I feel informed and inspired, and yet I am barely awake. After a shower soon comes coffee. It is not coffee that I want to talk about here today, but the art of coffee tables.

This is a universal question, dilemma, and component every home has to face: what to put on the coffee table? If you have a rambunctious puppy as I do, you may be limited. If not, you can truly have some fun with this focal point that you live with daily. A pretty display of flowers, a nice leather tray, some favorite coffee table books, and some chic collectibles can all find a home on a coffee table, whether it be glass or an ottoman or a beautiful piece of woodwork.

Here are some inspiring displays of the essential coffee table.

I love, love, love this coffee table by Elizabeth Bauer. Reminds me of a Jonathan Adler bookshelf I want to purchase. Via Lonny

Simple black and white coffee table with an array of books and a splash of greenery by David Keinberg. Via AD

I love the simplicity of this living area by Mary Nelson Sinclair. Look how they displayed the pieces of artwork on the bottom table. A tray is a great way to display a book , candle, and plant in an organized manner. Via Lonny

Wooden table on wood floors. A fabulous natural display of texture and tones.

Incredible how Windsor Smith uses a printed fabric as a coffee table to compliment the neutral palette of the room. Via Veranda

An exquisite block of burled wood is unexpected on the gray and white striped rug in the office of Lauren Santo Domingo. A fabulous mix of patterns. Via AD

Two side by side coffee tables of simplicity in the Paris apartment of Lee Radziwill. A beautiful arrangement and a splash of books. Via T Magazine

I adore the large mossy ball and three tiered orchid. Simply chic.

Ottomans are excellent alternatives to coffee tables. Trays are a must for drink placements. Via Elle Decor

A casual rattan or wicker chest makes for a fantastic coffee table solution. I love the preppy and care-free design of this room. Via AD

A circular coffee table surrounded by a fabulous mix of coffee table books. Via Lonny

A remarkable wide glass coffee table with red trim. Love the display of objects and the placement of books. A very pretty use of rocks on the table below. Via AD

A rather narrow coffee table by Robsjohn Gibbings  perfectly fits this casually livable sitting area.

A set of different shaped white box tables. Look at the great height of the branches despite the low lying height of the table by the talented Darryl Carter.  Via Elle Decor