At the moment I don't have a coffee table but a good tip is to use a tray to display or place items on as you can easily pick it up and move it if you need more space or to clean the table. You could use a wooden one, rattan or even a vintage silver plated tray, whatever suits your style. As for items, a few lovely coffee table books stacked neatly, a decorative container, maybe a bowl with wooden, glass or ceramic balls, a hurricane lamp with candle could be placed on the table and a vase of flowers is a must. Look around for items that suit the theme of your decor, ie if it's coastal you could use a lovely piece of white coral, a blue and white vase and some lovely books on coastal style.

Thank you everyone so very much for your responses and advice. I liked the idea of having a bold piece to tie the church in but like a few have mentioned, something simple might be nice to not overshadow the pieces we've collected. The Nick Cali nesting tables might work quite well, simple but still have the raw wood and we can move them around. I also like the idea of a round table. Annb1997 we actually looked at the carved coffee table, it's super cute and pretty it's a shame that it's just a bit too low to be functional with the sofas. We are probably looking at something around 45 cm in height...but we might still get it anyway and add it into the library nook. We move at the start of Dec, will post photos :) Here's one of the current owner's layout. Thank you again everyone you've been amazing!

It is quite a nice room but the cowhide is a bit lonely in the centre of the room. Consider laying it over the top of a sisal rug. Ikea has them for about $200. Then pull your sofas forward off the wall. Then I like this coffee table. From early settler and on special at the moment for $350.

Ok if putting coffee table I would put rug under table if it is sitting on the carpet not in lounge area