Coffee tables are a very common piece of furniture you will find in most living rooms. Made of wood, metal, or glass, they come in a great variety of designs and shapes, though one thing they all have in common is that they are low and comparatively small. As the name suggests, from the time they were first introduced into interiors, people used coffee tables to place cups and refreshments while enjoying their coffee, but there are in fact quite a number of ways to use them. One way is as a decorative piece in your living room.
Designing a coffee table might seem like a daunting task – how do you decorate a small flat surface without overstuffing it or leaving it way too empty? – but believe me, it is not as difficult as it might seem at first. Small plants, ceramic pieces, and photographs are all great items to style your coffee table. And one thing that is absolutely essential for added dimension and layers on your coffee table are decorative books.
Also known as coffee table books, they vary in subjects but are designed based on one principle. Most of the time they are oversized, printed on glossy paper, and richly illustrated. Also, they are rarely fiction books. If you place books on coffee tables, try to stack at least two or three on top of each other, and play with size and cover colors to make sure they fit organically into the rest of your living room.
If you’ve been wondering how to style a coffee table or were looking for some recommendations on books, we’ve got some of the best coffee table books for you. Select the ones that reflect your interests and go well with your interior design – or create a personalized coffee table photo book for a more meaningful addition.
#1 “Of Cats And Men” By Sam Kalda
Of Cats And Men
Author: Sam Kalda
You know how they say that it is the cat that owns a person, not the other way around? Well, that’s a fact. A lot of famous men who literally made history, whether in politics, art, or science, adored cats and had them as companions. Of Cats and Men gives you a chance to meet the cats of Nikola Tesla, Freddie Mercury, Sir Isaac Newton, as well as learn some charming stories about their relationships and the ways cats influenced their work.
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#2 “Sneaker Freaker: The Ultimate Sneaker Book” By Simon Wood
Sneaker Freaker: The Ultimate Sneaker Book
Author: Simon Wood
Sneaker Freaker was born as a fanzine-style one-man edition, but today it is a respectable publication that will tell you everything and beyond about sneakers and streetwear. The Ultimate Sneaker Book celebrates the cult magazine’s 15 years of history with over 650 pages of glossy pictures, insight knowledge, and its founder Simon Wood’s observations of the sneaker industry.
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#3 “Salad For President: A Cookbook Inspired By Artists” By Julia Sherman
Salad For President: A Cookbook Inspired By Artists
Author: Julia Sherman
In most cultures, and definitely in Western culture, meat is the central component of a meal. Be it beef or pork, steak or meatballs, everything else on the table is there to surround it and enhance the experience but not steal the limelight from it. As for salads… well, in some cases, a salad isn’t even included in the meal. To eliminate this injustice, Julia Sherman created Salad for President. In this coffee table book, you will find over 75 salad recipes, from light snacks to a substantial meal of its own, all illustrated with magnificent photos.
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#4 “Coyote Doggirl” By Lisa Hanawalt
Coyote Doggirl
Author: Lisa Hanawalt
What do classic Westerns, graphic novels, and BoJack Horseman have in common? You got it, Coyote Doggirl! Created by the producer behind the famous TV show, this book continues the idea of anthropomorphic animals as it follows the adventures of a half-coyote half-dog girl who is afraid of nothing, and will listen to no one. Entertaining and self-aware, it is also stunningly spectacular.
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#5 “Booze & Vinyl: A Spirited Guide To Great Music And Mixed Drinks” By André Darlington And Tenaya Darlington
Booze & Vinyl: A Spirited Guide To Great Music And Mixed Drinks
Author: André Darlington & Tenaya Darlington
If you want to create a perfect vibe and enjoy it to the fullest, you need to get everything correct. And sure, everything is a matter of taste, but sometimes you have to trust the professionals. Booze & Vinyl matches music with drinks for the ultimate experience of both. Organized by mood and illustrated with some magnificent photos, some of the drinks are connected to the musicians, while others complement the vibe of a song or its lyrics.
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#6 “How Not To Kill Your Houseplant: Survival Tips For The Horticulturally Challenged” By Veronica Peerless
How Not To Kill Your Houseplant: Survival Tips For The Horticulturally Challenged
Author: Veronica Peerless
People who tell you that instead of getting a pet you should buy some houseplants because they’re easier to tend to have no idea what they are talking about. Your plant will try to die on you from not enough water, too much water, the wrong angle of sunlight, and because they overheard you fighting with someone on the phone. And if you are one of those people who never seem to get it right with a plant (it’s okay, you’re not alone!), How Not To Kill Your Houseplant is here for you. Written for beginners, it’s easy to understand and follow even if you’ve never taken care of a plant before.
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#7 “The Incomplete Highsnobiety Guide To Street Fashion And Culture” By Gestalten And Highsnobiety
The Incomplete Highsnobiety Guide To Street Fashion And Culture
Author: Gestalten & Highsnobiety
This book pretty much explains itself in the title. It’s about fashion – menswear fashion, to be precise – its evolution, and the ins and outs of urban culture. Street influence has come a long way from being ignored or marginalized by high fashion to becoming the latest trend. The Incomplete follows the evolution of streetwear in general and some of its most influential brands in particular.
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#8 “Cereal Magazinae City Guide” By Rosa Park And Rich Stapleton
Cereal Magazine City Guide
Author: Rosa Park & Rich Stapleton
This one is pretty clear from the title: it’s a city guide for major metropolitan cities. But instead of cramming every possible touristy corner into the book, the guide gives you a carefully curated selection of interesting places that reflect Cereal Magazine’s values and aesthetics. Each City Guide includes a photo essay of the city, an illustrated map of the neighborhood, interviews with some of the celebrated locals, a list of interesting sights, and even a suggested itinerary for a perfect day in the city.
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#9 “Let’s Get Lost: The World’s Most Stunning Remote Locations” By Finn Beales
Let’s Get Lost: The World’s Most Stunning Remote Locations
Author: Finn Beales
Some travels are about big cities and famous resorts, whereas others are about places that are so secluded and remote, only a handful of the most adventurous dare go there. Each of the photographers featured in Let’s Get Lost explores locations that many haven’t even heard of. You are in for breathtaking photography, curious discoveries, and wanderlust so strong you might start planning your next trip straight away.
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#10 “The World Of Apartamento: Ten Years Of Everyday Life Interiors” By Omar Sosa And Nacho Alegre
The World Of Apartamento: Ten Years Of Everyday Life Interiors
Author: Omar Sosa, Nacho Alegre & Marco Velardi
Celebrating 10 years of publication of the interiors magazine based in Barcelona, The World of Apartamento compiles some of the inspirational people who have appeared on the pages of the magazine throughout the years, presenting their homes and everyday life. In 306 pages full of photos, quotes, and illustrations, it tells some intimate stories that will inspire you to make your own.
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#11 “The Finer Things: Timeless Furniture, Textiles, And Details” By Christiane Lemieux And Miles Redd
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#12 “The Noma Guide To Fermentation” By Rene Redzepi And David Zilber
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#13 “Mid-Century Ads” By Steven Heller And Jim Heimann
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#14 “The Japanese Garden” By Sophie Walker
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#15 “This Book Is Literally Just Pictures Of Animals Silently Judging You” By Smith Street Books
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#16 “Bong Appétit: Mastering The Art Of Cooking With Weed” by Editors of MUNCHIES
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#17 “30:30 Landscape Architecture: 0000” By Dave Woolass
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#18 “Destinations Of A Lifetime: 225 Of The World’s Most Amazing Places” By National Geographic
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#19 “Tiny Pantone Objects” By Inka Mathew
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#20 “Food In Vogue” By Editors Of American Vogue
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#21 “Accidentally Wes Anderson” By Wally Koval
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#22 “National Geographic: The Photographs” By Leah Bendavid-Val
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#23 “Animal: Exploring The Zoological World” By Phaidon Editors And Giovanni Aloi
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#24 “Petal: A World Of Flowers Through The Artist’s Eye” By Adriana Picker
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#25 “Stanley Kubrick Photographs: Through A Different Lens” By Luc Sante And Sean Corcoran
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#26 “Annie Leibovitz At Work” By Annie Leibovitz
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#27 “1000 Record Covers” By Michael Ochs
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#28 “Beaches” By Gray Marlin
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#29 “The Bucket List: 1000 Adventures Big & Small” By Kath Stathers
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#30 “Annie Leibovitiz: Wonderland” By Annie Leibovitz And Anna Wintour
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#31 “Frida Kahlo. The Complete Paintings” By Luis-Martín Lozano And Andrea Kettenmann
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#32 “Atlas Of Mid-Century Modern Houses” By Dominic Bradbury
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#33 “Atlas Obscura” By Joshua Foer
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#34 “Wine Folly: Magnum Edition: The Master Guide” By Madeline Puckette And Justin Hammack
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#35 “Patch And Tweak” By Kim Bjørn And Chris Meyer
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#36 “Architectural Digest At 100: A Century Of Style” By Architectural Digest , Anna Wintour
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#37 “Eat, Drink, Nap: Bringing The House Home” By Soho House UK Limited
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#38 “Slim Aarons: Style” By Shawn Waldron , Kate Betts
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#39 “The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country In The World” By Lonely Planet
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#40 “Joy!: Photographs Of Life’s Happiest Moments” By Bruce Velick And Robert A. Emmons Phd
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#41 “History As They Saw It: Iconic Moments From The Past In Color” By Jordan Lloyd And Wolfgang Wild
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#42 “200 Women: Who Will Change The Way You See The World” By Geoff Blackwell, Ruth Hobday
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#43 “Banksy: You Are An Acceptable Level Of Threat” By Patrick Potter And Gary Shove
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#44 “Gray Malin: The Essential Collection” By Gray Malin
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#45 “Annie Leibovitz: Portraits : 2005-2016” By Annie Leibovitz
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#46 “There And Back: Photographs From The Edge” By Jimmy Chin
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#47 “Gillian Laub: Family Matters” By Gillian Laub
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#48 “David Hockney: The Arrival Of Spring In Normandy” By Edith Devaney And David Hockney
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#49 “Zanele Muholi: Somnyama Ngonyama, Hail The Dark Lioness” By Renée Mussai And Zanele Muholi
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#50 “African Artists: From 1882 To Now” By Phaidon Editors And Joseph L. Underwood
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