The past ten months have had us spend most of our time at home. So it is no surprise that we’ve been coveting interiors inspirations and ways to escape in our own bubble.
Inspirational and insightful, coffee table books are made to make a statement. They are great conversation starters and give an insight into your personality and interests.
They cover a variety of subjects from art to photography, fashion and culture as well as some quirkier topics that will definitely spark interest.
When it comes to choosing coffee table books, this is most certainly where you really can go over the top and curate an eclectic collection for your home. So here are some ideas to help you decorate with beautiful books.
Choose a variety of subjects
Coffee table books cover a wide array of subjects and shortlisting the best ones for you can be a bit daunting. Especially if you are anything like me, beautiful books are my Achilles’ heel and I could easily end up with stacks that go from floor to ceiling.
Start your coffee table books collection with a mix of two or three favourite subjects. Adding some beautiful vintage ones into the mix will add interest. Think about subjects that you will enjoy losing yourself into when you want to put your feet up or when you are looking to get some headspace.
If you are feeling a little adventurous, I would advise choosing one book that covers a quirky author or topic. As well as being a great conversation starter, it will add variety into your collection. I particularly like this selection by Colin Gorenstein.
Coffee table books are meant to be sizeable
Coffee table books are meant to be imposing, noticed and admired from across the room. There is nothing more satisfying than lifting a beautiful, substantial book. It gives confidence that you will make extraordinary discoveries at every turn of the page.
Your books’ size is also important for stability, as they will often be used as a base to display other beautiful items.
Use coffee table books to elevate your accessories
Create stacks of books that are visually appealing. Nests of books with diverse topics add interest but make sure you use similar sizes so you don’t end up with a stack of books that looks like it could collapse at any moment. If they are slightly different sizes, place the largest one at the bottom and the smallest on top.
Make it a feature and use coffee table books to elevate your accessories. Place a vase, candle in a storm lantern or other decorative items on top of a stack of books.
If you own many coffee table books, why not stack twenty or more books on the floor and top with a tray to use as a side table.
Rotate your titles to update the look
When displaying your coffee table books, rotate your titles for an instant update. Follow seasons and occasions with relevant topics or add a pop of colour with eye-catching covers, depending on your mood.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to buy new books every few months. Simply swap the books you might have stacked in the guise of a side table with the ones displayed on your coffee table.
The best places to find coffee table books from
Coffee table books can be expensive, but there are ways to find beautiful books without breaking the bank. Browse your local bookstore or library online for inspiration. Most bookstores will have top picks and recommendations for you to get your inspiration from, they also offer a click and collect service or will ship your order.
Many online used book stores have a “coffee table books” section with fascinating titles. They will also be the ideal places to find beautiful vintage books.
Now you can find something stylish to put your books on.