How to Decorate a Shadowbox Coffee Table

Select a background image for your shadowbox. Choose something meaningful to you or an image that emphasizes the room’s pre-existing color scheme. A decorative puzzle or crossword puzzle would work well. If you select an online image, print the image to fit the entire page.

Remove the glass top and set it aside. Measure the inside area of your shadowbox coffee table and record the measurements. When you are using a background image, the image should cover the entire bottom surface.

Copy your image onto card stock. Enlarge the image if it does not match the measurements of your coffee table. This procedure may take several different enlargements and may span across several sheets of card stock. Stabilize the image by taping the underside of the papers together.

Place the copied image onto the bottom surface inside your shadowbox coffee table. It should fit snugly in place. Trim any excess if the image is too large. Add ribbon edging if the image is still a little too small by simply hot-gluing the ribbon to the underside or your image.

Place the largest display object in the center of the background image. This object could be a coffee mug and saucer, another picture, or a candy dish. Any display object will work.

Add other objects to the shadowbox corners. Remember that objects will be viewed from the top and possibly from the side. Select objects that are visually stunning from both top and side views.

Place more treasures around the centerpiece for additional decoration. Pens, flowers, seashells--anything can be used.

Return the glass to the top of the shadowbox coffee table. The glass protects your display from dust and accidental spills; however, any liquid spill should be cleaned up immediately to prevent liquid drops from forming on the inside of your shadowbox.