Decor & Styling

The Best Design Coffee Table Books and How to Style Them

written by KRISTINA LYNNE

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Source: @michelle_janeen
Source: @michelle_janeen

Although we’re bombarded with home design and decor inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram every day, there is still something appealing about flipping through a big, beautiful coffee table book. Not only does it feel luxurious to sit with a coffee and take in all the glossy images, but adding a stacked grouping to your living room decor is also equally gratifying.

 

How to Style Your Coffee Table Books

 

  • Stick to odd-numbered groupings (three will always work!) and consider the colors of the book’s jacket and how it compliments the overall combination. If you prefer, you can take the jacket off and just go with the bare book cover.

 

  • With a round coffee table, think of your space as a triangle. Stack your coffee table books in one corner, a floral arrangement in another, and then a tray or candle in the last, creating a balanced and dynamic table vignette.

 

  • With a bigger, square coffee table, opt for quadrants and don’t be afraid to keep it simple and have four clean stacks of books—and nothing else!

 

  • Layer it up and add a tray or decorative accessories on top of your books—a candle, vase, bowl, or whatever suits your style. This will create more interest and also add more height.

 

 

The Best Design-Related Coffee Table Books to Add to Your Collection:

Joanna Gaines
Homebody: A Guide to Creating Spaces You Never Want to Leave

I think most people will agree that this lovely lady can do no wrong! In fact, you probably already have this book sitting on a shelf somewhere because it’s such a comprehensive guide to finding your own design style and implementing it into your home. It’s as beautiful as it is useful!

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TASCHEN Books
100 Interiors Around the World

Want to span six continents without leaving your sofa? This edition is the ultimate sourcebook for stylish spaces across many countries. It’s enough inspiration to keep you coming back for years.

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Christiane Lemieux
The Finer Things: Timeless Furniture, Textiles, and Details

Could a coffee table book be any more eye-catching? We’d buy it for the gold-emblazoned cover alone! But inside, Christiane Lemieux expertly researched and curated a book that educates on every inch of the home and gives advice for decorating a timeless look.

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Frank Lloyd Wright
An Organic Architecture

The list wouldn’t be complete without one of the biggest to exist in the biz! But here, it’s not about the pictures! In fact, this particular book features some of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most important lectures, revealing even more charisma behind the design icon. Looking for more of an image-based book? Check out Frank Lloyd Wright: The Houses.

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Nick Voulgaris III
The Seaside House: Living on the Water

In need of some coastal decor inspo? These serene settings, gorgeous interiors, and lust-worthy gardens are sure to bring the beach to you.

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Kate Watson-Smyth
Mad About the House

If you don’t know about the award-winning blog, it is so worth adding to your must-follow list. Then you’ll really appreciate this detailed guide on how to make the most of your home—a place that should tell a story! Plus, we love the pastel pink cover!

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Soho House
Eat Drink Nap

The first book from Soho House, Eat Drink Nap, provides the perfect peek behind the heavily guarded doors, helping you to bring a piece of the House back to your own home. Plus, we love the simple cover design.

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Nathan Williams
The Kinfolk Home: Interiors for Slow Living

We are all fans of Kinfolk here, and we love this glimpse into 35 residential homes from all over the world. The homes featured in the book all reflect some of the key principles of slow living, which we can all get on board with!

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Nancy Braithwaite
Simplicity

Less is definitely more in this stunning book by design veteran Nancy Braithwaite. It is perfect for the minimalist lover and anyone who appreciates the power of simplicity.

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Emily Henderson
The New Design Rules

If you loved Emily Henderson's first book, Styled, you have to add her second book to your stack—especially if you are interested in starting some renovations. You will learn all of Emily's renovation tricks from start to finish.

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Michelle Slatalla
Gardenista: The Definitive Guide to Stylish Outdoor Spaces

Fans of Remodelista can rejoice that the sister site, Gardenista, also has a beautiful book! It has something for anyone interested in horticulture and outdoor living: stylish gardens and exterior spaces, DIY projects, a shopping guide to top products, and expert tips.

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Lauren Camilleri and Sophia Kaplan
Leaf Supply: A Guide to Keeping Happy House Plants

To continue on the greenery trend, this organic, minimalist book offers all the information any plant owner could need regarding how to choose and care for more than 100 houseplants. You get practical information coupled with outstanding imagery, which is always a great duo in our books.

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Rebecca Atwood
Living With Pattern

Need to add in some color and pattern to your life? Rebecca Atwood has you covered! With beautiful photographs and helpful tips, this book will definitely inspire you to add a little playfulness to your home!

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Ines De La Fressange and Marin Montagut
Maison: Parisian Chic at Home

We can all benefit from a little Paris in our life. In Maison, you can tour the interiors of 15 tres chic apartments, each styled with the timeless and sophisticated elegance that makes a space truly Parisian.

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Architectural Digest
Architectural Digest at 100

This book was published for Architectural Digest's 100th anniversary, so each page offers iconic visual history from the magazine. It even features personal spaces of dozens of celebrities including Barack and Michelle Obama, David Bowie, Michael Kors, and more.

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Lauren Liess
Down to Earth

If you find yourself in awe of Lauren Liess' design aesthetic (natural and laid back), you will not only appreciate the creativity and functionality tips she includes in this book, but you will also be inspired by the photos every time you pick it up and flip through the pages.

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Lynda Gardener & Ali Heath
Curate: Inspiration for an Individual Home

Lynda Gardener & Ali Heath teamed up to create an inspirational guide to home decorating. This book has been beautifully curated with neutral palettes and natural elements, and it will inspire you to create a timeless interior that will celebrate your unique style. This coffee table book is the perfect accent to an already neutral living room.

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Philip Mitchell & Judith Nasatir
Collected Interiors: Rooms That Tell a Story

This book is filled with personality, color, authenticity, and warmth. What more could you want in your living room? When you open it, you will find Philip Mitchell's style exemplified across nine homes from the Upper East Side to Nova Scotia.

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Ashley Whittaker
The Well-Loved House

A-List decorator Ashley Whittaker is sharing her secrets to creating colorful, pattern-filled, and classic rooms. Whether you welcome mixing color and patterns or are intimidated by it, you will learn from the best and get stunning results. Plus, this cover will add a touch of adventure and elegance to your space.

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