Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Decor

My Top 36 Coffee Table Books: The Most Versatile Home Decor

September 21, 2023

I'm not exactly sure when or how it happened, but somehow, seemingly on accident, I've accumulated a burgeoning collection of one of my favorite home decor elements—coffee table books. My love for beautiful visuals and inspiring reads had unintentionally blossomed into a full-fledged collection. And lately, they've evolved into one of the most versatile home decor elements in my home! If you're looking to layer some style and substance to your home, keep reading for a few simple tips to get you started.

Scroll on to see my top 36 favorites, and trust me, it wasn’t easy to narrow it down!

Coffee Table Books | White Urn | Faux Stems | Candle | Marble Bowl | Desk | Rug | Chandelier

Why Coffee Table Books are the Ultimate Home Decor

In my opinion, coffee table books are sorely underrated as essential decor. These multi-talented gems serve as both visual statements and intellectual escapes, effortlessly blending aesthetic allure with meaningful content. Their versatility is unmatched, effortlessly moving from coffee tables to console tables or bookshelves. And let's not forget, they're amazing conversation starters that offer a peek into your passions and interests. In short, coffee table books are where style meets substance in the most delightful way.

Here are a few styling tips to proudly display your coffee table books:

1. Style in Groups of Threes

Study Sources

Something magical happens when you group objects in odd numbers, and three is a great sweet spot. Try stacking three books topped with a decorative object, candle, or tray. It's a design trick that never fails. If you've got a collection going, you can try spreading three stacks of books across your surface for an eye-catching moment.

2. Play with Heights

Study Shelf Sources

Using stacks of books to fill in space and add height to any styling moment is a not-so-secret weapon. Prop up a vase or lamp with a platform of books for some extra inches. You can also get practical with a tray or bowl to serve as a catch-all for those miscellaneous items like a TV remote or reading glasses.

3. Create a Vignette

Living Room Sources

Consider your coffee table books as a part of a larger display. This acrylic stand is perfect for opening a book to a particularly inspiring page and I rest this metal pointer to hold the spot. Together with the vase, candle, bowl, and trinket box, we've pieced together an entire visual scene.

4. Keep it Fresh

Bonus Room Sources

The best part about decorating with coffee table books is you can rotate them every couple of months to keep things looking interesting and fresh. A recurring 'book swap' is a great way to rediscover forgotten treasures and see your collection with new eyes.

Coffee table books are the unsung heroes of home decor, versatile enough to work in just about any room, with any design in mind. So go ahead! Start collecting and stacking, and don't forget to get creative with it!

As promised, I've narrowed down my very favorites, which was easier said than done. I don't plan on pairing back my collection anytime soon, but if I had to, here's the 36 I would keep. Please don't make me.

My Top 36 Coffee Table Books

4. Habitat $22

6. Forest $25

Shop Coffee Table Books Under $34

Turn off your ad blocker to view content

Shop Coffee Table Books Over $35

Turn off your ad blocker to view content

— Hide Comments
+ ShowComments
What do you think?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

What We're

Loving

Right Now

What We're

Loving

Right Now

Disable your ad blocking software to view this content.
Looking for our favorite things? A place to shop our home room by room, or just catch up on what Julia's wearing / loving right now? Browse the CLJ shop
Shop All

Love Stories

Love Where You Live

In an industry that often feels designed to make you discontent, we want this to be place you come for inspiration, ideas, and encouragement to make the space you're already in feel like home.
Read All Posts
let's break this thing up

BROWSE BY CATEGORY

01

Portfolio

Befores, afters, mood boards, plans, failures, wins. We’ve done a lot of projects, and they’re all here.
read more
02

Projects

We have a long-standing relationship with DIY, and love rolling our sleeves up and making it happen.
read more
03

Design

Even when you don’t want to rip down a wall, you can make that space in your home better. Right now.
read more
hello world!

looking for inspiration?

Inspiration

What's Your Vibe: Après Ski or Yacht Club?

Ok, is anyone else already dreaming of trading snow boots for boat shoes? I just can't decide...they both have their appeal! The competitor in me (those Traitors episodes got me scheming irl!) decided to pit them against each other in two mood boards to see which would call to me more. Team Après Ski We […]
Polly's purple bedroom with large wall tapestry and chandelier
Art

The Best Large Tapestry Wall Hangings

Want an easy way to update a space with a large piece of art —no frame required? Try an oversized wall tapestry! In our Modern Cottage home, I had one from Anthropologie that felt like such a magical little scene. It eventually found its home in Polly's room—the perfect finishing touch for her Moody Modern […]
Blue bonus room with paneled ceiling and Frame TV
Design

My Formula for When to Paint the Ceilings a Color and When Not To

Here's something you don't need me to tell you, but I'm telling you anyway: You get to choose whether you want to paint your ceiling or not! But, still, almost daily, I get asked "Why don't you paint that ceiling the color of the walls?" If you've never tried painting a ceiling and you're considering […]
A bowl of Thai-Inspired Basil Beef Stir-Fry with jasmine rice
Chris Cooks

Thai-Inspired Basil Beef Stir Fry

I'm back at it today with the Asian-inspired flavors. I always seem to lean that way in my recipes, but why would I use less flavor when I can fill my kitchen with the scent of ginger, garlic, and chilies?! Thai Basil Beef is one of my all-time favorite things to order for takeout. What […]
Learn With Us
Want to do what we do? Get the tools, mentorship, and training to be a Good Influencer professionally.
Learn More
Looking for Something?

SEARCH THE BLOG

We've been doing this since 2009 and we've posted a whopping 24145+ blog posts and counting. You might need a little help searching, huh?

Can We Send You Our Love Letter?

Another way for us to stay in touch! Joining our weekly newsletter gives you access to exclusive content, never-before-seen photos, your questions answered, and our favorite DIYs. Sign up below!
hello world!
Follow Along on Instagram
Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations
© 2025 Chris Loves Julia, LLC
PRIVACY POLICYTERMS & CONDITIONSAFFILIATE DISCLAIMERSITE CREDITCOMMUNITY GUIDELINES