We've rounded up the interior design coffee table books we love most, and we're sharing how to style them at home!
I've always loved books, which is why I adore decorating with them. Over the past few years I've added coffee table books to my collection here and there. I ask for them for the holidays or my birthday, or treat myself when I come across one I love.
Books are lovely to display, but they're also fun to read and often packed with useful information and insight. Bonus: they belong to timeless design and never go out of style with passing trends.
Of course, we can all scroll Instagram and Pinterest for home inspiration, but it feels extra special to step away from screens and turn the pages of a book. Feel the paper, smell the ink and pore over every little detail. (Can you tell I used to work in book publishing??)
Coffee table books cover all kinds of subjects, but I love home decor and interior design titles the most!
SOURCES: Brass Drangonfly Decor | Beautiful Book | Enduring Southern Homes Book | Live Beautiful Book | Faux Potted Fittonia Houseplant | Console Table | Console Baskets | Sectional Sofa | Pink Throw Pillow | Midnight Blue Throw Pillow | Follow Me Canvas Art
I also enjoy displaying lovely cookbooks in the kitchen, as I shared in how to decorate kitchen counters. There are some gorgeous and practical cookbooks out there that I adore!
Coffee table books don't have to be about interiors, though. They can cover anything you love, such as photography, cooking, architecture and more! It's a lovely way to share your passions with the people who visit your home.
How Coffee Table Books Shape Interior Design
Coffee table books are valuable design tools. They layer texture, color and pattern into a room and elevate the overall look. Professional designers often place them deliberately to lead the eye, highlight certain areas or balance other decorative pieces.
For design lovers like me, adding beautiful coffee table books to a room can add polish and personality. Whether you're going for a minimalist look or an eclectic mix, these books can help bring your vision to life.
Coffee table books often pair well with other design elements like textiles, artwork and furniture. They bring cohesion to a space, weaving separate pieces into one harmonious whole.
And the best part? They suit every design style, from modern simplicity to rustic farmhouse to traditional elegance! Just let your creativity guide you as you work these coffee table books into your home.
So, how should you style coffee table books?
Styling these lovely books on a tabletop is pretty simple, but here are a few ideas to get you started at home. And just because they're called coffee table books doesn't mean they have to stay there!
1. Stack Them on a Console Table
Stack two or three larger books on a console table and top them with a cute trinket. I've used my brass turtle for years, and this spring and summer I picked up an adorable brass dragonfly to perch on my books.
2. Display Them on a Bookshelf
Of course, books on a bookshelf are an easy choice. They also look beautiful leaning against the wall or held between bookends.
SOURCES: Dried Grapewood Branch | Large Pocket Watch Clock | Wood Chain Decor | Brass Turtle | Elements of Style Family Book | More Beautiful Book | Tracery Book | Pinecone Bookends | Blue and White Ginger Jar | Mini Lamp | Faux Fern
You can also stack them flat and set a box or object on top. Choose books with matching spine colors for a bold, colorful statement piece!
3. And, of Course, the Coffee Table!
It's no surprise that decorative books look great on a coffee table or a storage ottoman, like the one in my living room! Set a box on top or beside the books to hold remote controls. Add a candle or plant to the mix for a lovely coffee table vignette.
Books can also lift a short plant or decor piece to a better height!
And if your coffee table is bigger than mine, try building several stacks of books!
Coffee table books have plenty of other uses too, such as decor in a home office, bedroom, or a few fun titles in a playroom. Spread them throughout your home for a lovely, layered look!
My Favorite Interior Design Coffee Table Books, Plus More
These books are beautiful, and they're packed with helpful tips and home inspiration. I love curling up with one and savoring the pages after the kids are in bed.
I love asking for these as gifts for Mother's Day, Christmas or my birthday! It's a sweet reminder of who gave them to me whenever I see them around my home. They truly make one of the perfect gifts for anyone.
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