Hi, home decor lovers! Do you want to learn how to style coffee table books?
You’ve come to the right page.
Like you, I love the look of coffee table books, but I did struggle with a few problems at first.
Like not knowing which coffee table books to purchase (trust me, they’re A TON of coffee table books out there!) and not knowing how to stack and arrange them in my home.
I also did not know which home decor items I could use to style my coffee table books with.
If these situations sound familiar to you, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.
In this post, you’ll learn how to style coffee table books in different areas of the house, how to arrange and stack coffee table books, and how to choose which coffee table books to buy.
By the time you’re done with this post, I hope you’ll be able to style coffee table books like a pro!
How to style coffee table books in 3 simple steps
Step 1: Choose your coffee table books
Choose a color scheme
If you don’t own any coffee table books, take a moment to choose a color scheme before you purchase them.
Look at the main colors in your home and choose a similar color or a complementary color to achieve a cohesive look.
If you’re not sure which colors to get, you can buy neutral coffee table books with white, beige, brown, and black covers. These go nicely with most interior styles.
Remove book sleeves
Alternatively, you can always remove the paper book sleeves to reveal the books’ hardcovers.
The book covers are normally solid-colored with a bit of texture, which helps to create a clean look.
Step 2: Stack and arrange your coffee table books
Gather 3 coffee table books and place the largest book at the bottom.
Stack the smaller books on top. The smallest book should be on top of the pile.
Step 3: Style your coffee table books
Now, you can layer your coffee table books with decorative items.
You can add 1-2 small decor pieces like a candle, picture frame, or brass tray on top of the coffee table book stack.
Bigger decor pieces like a vase, bowl, or sculptural piece can be placed at the side of the book stack.
It is essential to layer items with different sizes and heights as this creates visual interest.
Don’t forget to add plants or flowers to your final look. Anything to do with nature will immediately soften and brighten the entire area.
Where can you decorate your coffee table books?
Living room
I’m sure when you think of coffee table books, you immediately think of placing them on the coffee table.
The coffee table is no doubt the best place to display all of your coffee table books.
Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they make good conversation starters.
Plus, they allow your guests to get a glimpse of who you are as a person and what your interests are.
Square coffee table
First, divide your table into quadrants.
You can use one quadrant to stack 3-5 coffee table books.
With this approach, you can fill the other three quadrants with other decorative pieces like floral or greenery arrangements, catch-all bowls or trays, and candles.
Besides that, you can place your coffee book stacks on two opposite quadrants and decorate the empty quadrants with circular objects.
Or, you can place a coffee table book stack in all quadrants if you have a lot of coffee table books.
For this arrangement, you should keep other decorative items to a minimum to keep the entire look sleek and modern.
A large round vase filled with fresh or faux greenery will complete the styling.
If you have a large square table, consider adding an acrylic book stand or holder to display your favorite coffee table book.
Rectangular coffee table
Divide your table into three equal zones.
If you want the coffee table books to be the star of the show, stack 3 to 4 of them and place them in the middle.
You can use a rectangular tray on either side of the table to hold decorative bins where you can conceal remotes in them.
On the other side, you can also play around with different heights and add candlestick holders or a tall vase.
Round coffee table
Think of your space as a triangle. This gives you three corners to style.
Fill one corner with a stack of coffee table books, one corner with a vase and stems, and the final corner with a large candle.
The trick is to play with different heights so you can create balance throughout the space.
You can also add a circular object or a sculptural item to your coffee table stack for more visual interest.
Entryway
The entryway is the first area people will see in your home, making it the perfect start to introduce your interior style via coffee table books.
Use 3-4 coffee table books to create a stack in the middle or at one side of the entryway console.
You can also create two stacks of two coffee table books each and place them next to each other.
Then, you can add bigger decor items like a lamp, a mirror, or a huge piece of artwork.
Shelves
Coffee table books are one of my must-haves when it comes to styling shelves.
You can use up to 6 books per stack and you can stack them horizontally or vertically.
Plus, you can also place vertical and horizontal stacks next to each other for added visual appeal.
For vertical stacks, you can line book spines with the front edge of the shelf.
If the book spines are in random colors, turn them the other way around for a cohesive look.
You can also use marble or ceramic book ends to hold up a vertical book stack. This will elevate the entire look.
Layer in other decorative items like vases, baskets, pillar candles, and picture frames among your coffee table book stacks.
The key to tying everything together is to pick a similar color scheme and use different textures like rattan, stone, brass, and fabric.
Nightstand
Create a 3-4 coffee table book stack if you have a nightstand that comes with an open shelf at the bottom.
Otherwise, stick to 1-2 books on the top of the nightstand next to the lamp.
If there’s sufficient space, you can add a candle or a picture frame of your loved ones on top of the book stack.
It’s important not to overcrowd the nightstand, so you have space to add night-time essentials like a pair of reading glasses and a water carafe.
Kitchen
You may think coffee table books don’t belong in the kitchen, but beautiful cookbooks can be considered coffee table books.
If you have shelves in the kitchen, you can stack 2-3 cookbooks or coffee table books horizontally or vertically.
Avoid placing coffee table books on kitchen countertops, as you’ll want to avoid getting any stains or grease on your beautiful books!
You can, however, style your favorite cookbook on a small easel on the counter to display a recipe you love.
Dresser
Since a dresser should be functional, I would advise against placing multiple coffee table book stacks on it.
Instead, focus on having a low book stack of around 3 books on one side of the dresser.
You can place your favorite home fragrance or a decorative tray for your jewelry on top of the book stack.
TV Console
Since the TV console is underneath a TV, make sure to keep the coffee book stacks low to avoid blocking the TV.
Similar to styling a dresser, stick to 1 to 3 coffee table books and place a large candle and its accessories on top of it.
Related: How To Style A TV Console In Six Easy Steps
How many coffee table books should you stack?
If you are planning to have a standalone book stack, I recommend using 2-5 coffee table books.
You can use books of different sizes and thickness to create contrast.
Or, you can use similar-sized books with different thicknesses for a balanced look.
Multiple book stacks should be of a similar height to maintain cohesiveness.
However, you should only use 1 to 3 coffee table books if your book stack is going to be a base for other decorative items.
If you have an extra large coffee table book, you can display it on a book stand or holder.
This is a great way to display a large book on any surface and keep it open for easy viewing.
What size of coffee table books should you use?
Generally, a coffee table book is larger than a standard book.
Since their pages mostly consist of pictures, coffee table books need to be big enough to give an attractive visual impact.
The average coffee table book size is around 11″ in length.
Just remember, the bigger the surface, the bigger the coffee table book should be.
How do you choose coffee table books?
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Add a personal touch by choosing topics that you are interested in.
I’m passionate about interior design and home decorating, so I’m always on the lookout for these coffee table books.
If you’re new to coffee table books, these neutral coffee table books are perfect to get you started.
If you love beaches and island living (like me!), here are four of the best coastal coffee table books.
What are the best home decor pieces that go with coffee table books?
Looking for home decor pieces to style with your coffee table books?
Mix and match any of these for a stylish outcome.
Related: Living Room Essentials List For Your Dream Living Room
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a coffee table book?
A coffee table book is a large hardcover book that is used for display or decorative reasons.
It usually comes with minimal words but is filled with beautifully shot imagery.
Coffee table books cover a huge range of topics from interior design to photography to food and travel.
Not only are coffee tables absolutely beautiful, but they also serve as a wonderful source of inspiration.
Why should you decorate with coffee table books?
Coffee table books are one of my favorite things to decorate with.
With visually stunning covers and spines, they can truly make a statement in any home.
Additionally, there’s a wide variety of coffee table books in the market, so there’s bound to be an option for everyone.
Here are six more reasons why I love coffee table books:
Versatile
Coffee table books aren’t just for your coffee table.
Despite the name, coffee table books are versatile and can be placed in different areas of your home.
They can work on entryway consoles, dining room sideboards, home office desks, and bedroom nightstands.
Requires minimal effort
This is probably my #1 reason why I love decorating coffee table books.
Unlike shelves, mirrors, plants, and artwork, coffee table books require minimal effort.
They don’t need to be painted, watered, powered by an electrical outlet, or hung on a wall. They are 100% fuss-free!
Adds character to a home
Coffee table books are a way to express your interests without verbalizing them.
Whenever I enter my friends’ homes, I love flipping through their coffee table books and seeing what they like.
Overall, coffee table books are a great temporary solution to flaunt your personality.
Acts like a tray or catchall to hold smaller items
Besides being decorative pieces, coffee table books can act as a tray or catcall to hold smaller items.
If you have smaller decor like a box of matchsticks or a candle, a coffee table book can hold these items together.
Affordable
Although some coffee table books can be expensive, they are generally more affordable compared to other weighty decorative items like mirrors and marble trays.
Besides, there are many ways to get inexpensive coffee table books. For instance, you can purchase them during sales or pick up used books in your local thrift store or on Amazon.
Kid-proof
If you’re a parent, you’re going to LOVE using coffee table books as decor! Just be sure to put your kids’ crayons away!
They’re not fragile, and they’re usually too heavy for little ones to carry, which means it’s OK to arrange them on lower coffee tables or ottomans.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are so many ways to decorate with coffee table books.
I hope you’re feeling inspired and ready to tackle your coffee table book styling with my tips and tricks.
Which is your favorite way to style your coffee table books?
Take a picture of the final product, and share it with me in the comments below!
Ready to style other areas in your house?
Learn how to style a china cabinet or how to arrange indoor plants in your home.