Coffee table books are one of my favorite home decor pieces to decorate with. Not only are they full of inspiration and great conversation starters, but they also add height and dimension to the space you are styling.
I am going to share exactly how to decorate with coffee table books, where you can display them, my favorite coffee table books, and some frequently asked questions.
How to Style Coffee Table Books: Easy Tips
Sharing my tips and tricks for decorating with coffee table books.
1. Choose 2-3 coffee table books ( the perfect stack amount)
This is an opportunity to add your own personal style and interest to your space. Whether it is interiors, fashion, photography, or art, pick books that you find interesting. For a curated and cohesive look choose books that share a common subject and book cover colors that coordinate together.
2. How to Stack Coffee Table Books
Stacking coffee table books is an art that goes beyond simply piling them up. Combine large, oversized books with smaller ones. Start with a solid foundation by placing a larger, sturdy coffee table book at the bottom of the stack.
Next stack your coffee table books from largest to smallest. Centering each book on top of the other. You can align the spine of the books or stagger them.
3. Layer with Accessories (optional)
Decorating with coffee table books are beautiful on their own but they are the perfect base for small decorative objects. Think; of bowls, candles, trays, a small plant, candle sticks, a footed stand, a sculptural decor item, a strand of beads, etc. The options are endless.
4. Vertical Stacks ( another option)
Vertical stacks are perfect for built-ins and open shelving. It is a great way to fill in the corners. Vertical stacks can be styled in a similar way as horizontal. Be sure to select books that interest you and are coordinating colors. I love pairing horizontal stacks with vertical stacks to create interest. Both are a great way to style coffee table books.
Where to Display Coffee Table Books
Now that you know how to style coffee table books here is some inspiration for exactly where you can display your coffee table books.
Coffee Table
This is the most obvious and where we get the term ” coffee table book”. For a smaller coffee table, you can create a book stack in a tray. For a larger coffee table, you can do a grouping of book stacks with or without decorative objects. You can even leave the book open on one of your favorite pages.
Console Table
I love incorporating a coffee table book stack when styling a console table. This is the perfect decor element when styling a console table or sideboard. I share all about how to style a console table in this post and book stacks are a must.
Night Stand/ End Table
A small stack of coffee table books is perfect on top of a nightstand or end table. You can place them right next to a lamp. You can also use them to bring interest to the bottom shelf if your nightstand has one.
Dresser
Similar to a console table, a dresser is the perfect spot for a coffee table book stack. It is a great way to elevate your space and add visual interest.
Open Shelving / Built Ins
I love incorporating coffee table books on open shelving/built-in. Knowing how to style open shelving can be tricky and coffee table book stacks are the perfect decor item. I often like to start with them first. You can check out my post on how to style open shelving here.
This is also a great place to incorporate those vertical stacks. You can add them to the corners of open shelving or use bookends to hold them in place.
Kitchen
Get those cookbooks out and display them in a stack! This can be done right on your counter or on any open shelving you have in your kitchen. You can also get a book stand and display your favorite recipe.
FAQ
Answer some of your most asked questions about decorating with coffee table books.
What makes a book a coffee table book?
Coffee table books are typically oversized hardcover books comprised of high-quality, illustrations or photography. They come in all different sizes and reflect an interest such as interior design, travel, fashion, and nature.
How many books should you stack on a coffee table?
I recommend 2-3 books when creating a stack. One book can also work if you are stacking a tall accessory on top or displaying a page you find interesting. More than three books start to look like a pile.
Why do designers decorate with coffee table books?
Coffee table books bring dimension, personality, and height when styling a space. They are also a great source of inspiration and even a conversation starter when you have guests. I use coffee table books in almost every space I style.
Should coffee table books be the same size?
They don’t have to be! Coffee table books of various sizes can actually create more interest. Just be sure to place the largest book on the bottom and stack largest to smallest.
How do I choose a book for décor?
When selecting coffee table books for decor you want to take into consideration two things. The first one is your interest. Coffee table books are a great way to bring your personality to a space. Are you into art, fashion, interiors, photography? Choose a subject and then the second part is to select books that match your color scheme. I always love going with neutral covers so that they can be used in any decor style.
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Where to Find Coffee Table Books
My favorite places to shop for coffee table books are Amazon, TJMaxx, and HomeGoods. You can also find them anywhere that sells books!
Interior Design Coffee Table Books
Click the links below to shop my favorite Interior Design coffee table books.
1. Create: At Home with Old & New
2. The Art of Home: A Designer Guide to Creating an Elevated Yet Approachable Home
3. Down to Earth: Laid-back Interiors for Modern Living
5. At Home: Evocative & Art-Forward Interiors
6. The Gift of Home: Beauty and Inspiration to Make Every Space a Special Place
7. Minimalista: Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Better Home, Wardrobe, and Life
8. Homebody: A Guide to Creating Spaces You Never Want to Leave
9. Architectural Digest at 100: A Century of Style
10. Made for Living: Collected Interiors for All Sorts of Styles
12. Call It Home: The Details That Matter
Conversational Coffee Table Books
Click the links below to shop my favorite conversational coffee table books.
Travel
1. Let’s Get Lost: the world’s most stunning remote locations
2. Kinfolk Travel: Slower Ways to See the World
Flowers
4. French Blooms: Floral Arrangements Inspired by Paris and Beyond
5. A Home in Bloom: Four Enchanted Seasons with Flowers
6. Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden: Grow, Harvest, and Arrange Stunning Seasonal Blooms
Fashion
7. Little Book of Louis Vuitton: The Story of the Iconic Fashion House
8. In Vogue: An Illustrated History of the World’s Most Famous Fashion Magazine
9. CBK: Carolyn Bessette Kennedy: A Life in Fashion
Cooking
10. Eat Drink Nap: Bringing the House Home
11. Magnolia Table, Volume 3: A Collection of Recipes for Gathering
12. Sunday Suppers: Recipes + Gatherings: A Cookbook
What to Read Next:
How to Style Open Shelving In Six Easy Steps
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Diana says
Great advice for both beautiful and functional decor!
michealadianedesigns says
Thank you so much for stopping by the blog Diana!
Alena Mage says
Thanks for sharing your knowledge! I’ll definitely be recommending this post.
coffee table books says
Nice article!! It is a very nice and informative article. Thanks for sharing.