"If I had to choose one home accessory that can instantly make a room feel cozy and lived-in, it wouldn’t be pillows, throw blankets, or even candles. No, I’d pick books every time. When used as decor, books add a layer of dimension to shelves and tables, but they can also provide a sense of meaning and substance that a simple tray or vase cannot. Coffee table books, in particular, provide a peek into your interests, serve as conversation starters, and offer an inspiring way to pass the time, making them one of the coziest and most versatile types of home decor.
Although the internet provides endless inspiration at your fingertips, there is still something appealing about flipping through the glossy pages of a big, beautiful coffee table book. And while you can find coffee table books on nearly any subject, if you’re anything like me, the ones on decorating and design are most likely to pique your interest. I’m also not one to spend money on something that’s just for show and not actual use, so I took the time to round up some of the best design-related coffee table books that are actually worth reading. Keep scrolling for my top picks, along with some easy tricks on how to style them.
How to Style Coffee Table Books
The easiest way to style your coffee table books is to stack several of them together. Use a stack of books to fill space on a shelf or accent table, or place a short stack of books underneath a table lamp or decorative object to add height. When stacking, it’s a good idea to stick to odd-numbered groupings (three is the magic number that always works) and place the largest book on the bottom.
If you’re styling a round coffee table, think of your space as a triangle. Stack your coffee table books in one corner, a plant or floral arrangement in another, and then a tray or candle in the last, creating a balanced and dynamic vignette. With a bigger, square coffee table, divvy the space up into quadrants, and don’t be afraid to keep it simple with four clean stacks of books—and nothing else! You could also layer in a candle, vase, bowl, or other decorative accessories to create more interest and add height.
Another display idea I love involves using a stand to open the book to a certain page. This offers a peek at the book’s contents and encourages people to actually flip through it, instead of letting it sit unopened on a shelf. You can find book stands made of wood, marble, metal, acrylic—whatever suits your style!
And, of course, coffee table books aren’t just for coffee tables. Display them on shelves, end tables, nightstands—wherever you need another layer of coziness.
The Best Coffee Table Books to Add to Your Collection:
For fans of Shea McGee’s cozy, timeless style, this book takes you room-by-room for a glimpse into Shea’s design process and her secrets to creating a home that feels both high-end and approachable. It’s packed with beautiful imagery as well as practical tips you can apply to your own home.
If you live for Architectural Digest‘s home tours, this coffee table book is a must. Published in celebration of the magazine’s 100th birthday, it offers a glimpse inside the homes of celebrities past and present, including Fred Astaire, David Bowie, Jennifer Aniston, Barack and Michelle Obama, and Kylie Jenner.
Great design is comprised of a bunch of little details that all add up to something beautiful. This book by designer Amber Lewis walks you through how to select each of those details—from paint to flooring to furniture—and put them together to create stunning spaces of your own. For anyone who feels overwhelmed by all the decisions that go into designing a home, this book is for you.
If you love moody colors, natural textures, and a mix of vintage and contemporary styles, British-born designer Jake Arnold needs to be on your radar. This book takes you through nine of his projects, all of which include sketches, swatches, and behind-the-scenes looks at Arnold’s design process alongside the finished product.
This book focuses not only on beautiful homes, but also on the inspiring and sometimes heartbreaking stories of the people who live inside them. Through stories of healing after abuse, addiction, and loss, it showcases how home can become a sanctuary and encourages you to create sacred spaces of your own.
Emily Henderson is a pro at transforming bland spaces with color and her signature mix of vintage and modern pieces. Her latest book walks you through each step of that process, including her design “rules” for each room and when to break them. Whether you’re planning a quick room refresh or a whole renovation, this book will help you feel confident in each decision throughout the process.
Interior designer Athena Calderone believes that art (and beautiful design) is even more impactful when you understand the process behind it. This book peels back the curtain on 16 stunning homes, offering insights into why the design works and how you can achieve a similar look and feel.
Perfect for anyone who loves both travel and design, this book explores how a home’s surroundings can inspire and influence its interior. It takes you from the English countryside to the Spanish island of Mallorca to upstate New York to tour homes that reflect a unique sense of place.
Delving beyond how a home looks, this book focuses on how design can make us feel. It offers tips on how to wield practical elements—including color and scale—to create a home that evokes a sense of calm, excitement, or comfort—whatever feeling you wish to create.
If you lust over Parisian-style interiors, consider this book your design bible. Not only does it offer a glimpse inside French-inspired interiors around Paris and elsewhere, but it also offers practical tips on how to emulate the same style in your own home. And if you ever plan on traveling to Paris, you’ll also find a curated list of the best places to soak up beautiful design and source unique finds around the city, including art galleries, flea markets, and bookstores.
Jenni Kayne has built a whole brand around the laid-back California lifestyle, and this book breaks down how to achieve that same natural, effortless feel at home. It offers a peek into homes across a variety of landscapes—from the coast to the mountains to the desert—all of which embody the earthy, organic aesthetic Kayne is known for.
Calling all grandmillennials: This colorful, pattern-filled book from interior designer Mark D. Sikes offers all the inspo you could ever need. Showcasing a different home for every month of the year, each chapter centers around nature-inspired designs and offers a new take on traditional design.
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.