Cover Photo: Pinterest

A good coffee table book is one that draws you in before reading a word. Visual interest is everything, and the key is to think of coffee table books as a part of your overall curated space. They, like other decorative accessories in your home, are a reflection of your style.

Here are a few tips for finding the right coffee table (or better said, “display”) books for your home, as well as our favorites right now.

 

JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER

 

This is one of the (if not only) times where it’s perfectly OK to judge a book by its cover! Consider if the front cover aligns with your other decor, color scheme and your personal aesthetic. Also, think about the general mood of the space — is it bold and bright, eclectic, minimal and neutral for example? Choose books based on how they’ll add to your space versus distracting from it.

 

WHERE IS IT GOING?

 

Positioning is everything when styling books in your home. They don’t necessarily have to go on a coffee table (though they absolutely can) to engage you and your guests — try displaying them on an ottoman, accent chair, or guestroom bedside table. Figuring out where they’ll get the best visibility is half the battle. And that early decision will dictate your ultimate book selection.

If you do plan on displaying books on your coffee table, try stacking a few, leaving one or two open on a page that jives with the room’s décor, or placing them on a tray. Generally speaking, coffee tables are the centerpiece to living rooms, so if you’re planning on up-styling them with books, you want the finished look to be inviting versus visually confusing.

 

WHAT PURPOSE IS IT SERVING?

 

The trick to interiors (or exteriors for that matter) is styling with intent. Think about what you want your books to do for you and your guests. For example, do you want them to inspire, intrigue, create wonderment, serve as a visual escape, or educate? Once you’ve narrowed down the purpose, choosing the right books for your home becomes easier since you’ve just selected a category or theme to follow.

 

 

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