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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.

The post How To Style Coffee Table Books Like A Pro (And Which Ones To Buy!) appeared first on That Isle Life.

When we purchased our first apartment three years ago, I knew instantly that I wanted to hire an interior designer. I’d never worked with one before, but I’d seen so many portfolios online that I was convinced I needed to leave my home to the experts.

Our design and renovation process took about seven months, which were filled with high highs and low lows.

Many people have asked if I regret hiring an interior designer. I find that question so difficult to answer because it’s a yes and no situation for me.

On one hand, I regret hiring an interior designer, but not for reasons you may think. I regret not trusting myself to design my own home. I regret not pushing myself out of my comfort zone, and I regret prioritizing my job over my home. What was I thinking?!

On another hand, I have zero regrets because I don’t think we would’ve been able to finish our renovation in four months if we hadn’t. I know four months sound like a long time, but it would’ve taken us WAY longer if we handled it ourselves.

Having someone to talk to during the renovation journey also prevented me from having decision paralysis. I tend to procrastinate when I can’t make up my mind, so it was helpful for me to bounce ideas with someone.

Another popular question I get asked most often is, “What are the pros and cons of hiring an interior designer?”

Well, I can’t speak for everyone, but here’s my experience hiring an interior designer.

• Pros of hiring an interior designer
• Cons of hiring an interior designer
• Will I hire an interior designer again?

Related: Interior Stylist vs Interior Designer – Who should you hire for your home?

Pros of hiring an interior designer

Serves as a single point of contact and accountability

This reason alone is WORTH the investment for me because I had a demanding job back then.

Hiring an interior designer is similar to hiring a wedding planner. Just like a wedding, there are so many different elements to a renovation. Some people hire interior designers for design work only. But, our interior designer was in charge of every aspect of the renovation.

Bonus tip: Always check your interior designer’s scope of work before you begin renovation, and lock that down in a contract!

My previous sales job required me to deal with a lot of people daily. So, it was a HUGE relief for me to only deal with one person rather than 20 different vendors during this period.

I still remember visiting the site after a busy workday. I noticed the pendant lights in the kitchen were not straight and someone had bought the wrong tiles for the backsplash.

All I had to do was text my interior designer and let her know about the mistakes. They were rectified within the next few days.

Since I stress out easily, having a single point of contact and accountability reduced my anxiety.

It also gave me peace of mind knowing I had someone to help me with firefighting issues. And trust me, there WILL be issues, but an interior designer is responsible to resolve them and keep the renovation going.

This made the experience far more pleasant than my wedding planning journey, where I didn’t hire a wedding planner and had to deal with all of the vendors on my own.

Saves time and energy

Hiring an interior designer saved me a lot of time and energy. It may not look like it, but designing and decorating a home is a long and complicated process.

Now that I’m planning to revamp our space without the help of a designer, I’m spending so many hours on Pinterest, Instagram, and home decor blogs. And, I haven’t even created my vision board yet!

I can’t tell you how much I appreciated my interior designers doing all the groundwork for me when we renovated. They made it look so easy when they showed up to our meeting with a few samples of everything, but I know it probably took them a while to source for what I like.

Since they handled mostly everything, I could focus during the busiest period of my work, where I was coincidentally overseeing three retail build-ups! Haha, talk about the irony!

Access to better resources

Interior design firms usually have a network of contractors, suppliers, and other contacts they work with. Since this is their trade, they know who is reliable and can produce high-quality work.

Renovating a home is an expensive affair. We knew hiring our contractors would be risky because we never know what we’re going to get.

We also knew it would be a time-consuming process since we didn’t know where to start. On top of that, the language barrier was an issue for us.

A lot of our friends’ contractors only spoke in their native non-English languages, and we knew we wouldn’t be able to communicate smoothly with them. The last thing we wanted during the renovation was a misunderstanding with our contractors!

In short, we knew we would benefit from hiring an interior design firm because they simply have better resources. True to our experience, our interior designers didn’t disappoint. Although we were never introduced to their contractors, we were pleased with the outcome.

Provides the right balance between aesthetics and functionality

An interior designer does more than just make a space look pretty. They are professionals who can provide the right balance between aesthetics and functionality in a home.

We knew how we wanted our dream home to look, but we lacked the knowledge and experience to ensure the redesigned space is spacious, efficient, and practical. Interior designers are responsible to let you know what works and what doesn’t.

As this was our first home, we didn’t know what to look out for. Thankfully, our designers implemented some of the smartest hacks we never even knew existed!

Produces quality work

Good interior designers take pride in their projects. They usually try their best to produce quality work to build an impressive portfolio, which helps to attract more clients.

Sadly, this isn’t always the case. We’ve heard of many horror stories about interior designers providing poor quality work and even worse, disappearing mid-construction!

We were glad we chose a firm that provided a breakdown of renovation works and costs in a contract, which was very important to us. Plus, they constantly updated us about the progress of our renovation.

Our journey wasn’t smooth-sailing, but we were very happy with how the home turned out.

At the end of the day, our interior designers delivered the results we wanted. And, that was the most important thing for us.

RELATED: The Best Three Decisions We Made For Our Home Renovation

Cons of hiring an interior designer

Delays in starting work

The problem with hiring interior designers is that you’re not the only client. As a result, your renovation may be delayed if your designer’s other projects are pushed back.

Additionally, a professional interior designer will take some time to plan, brainstorm, and design your space. After that, you will spend more time reviewing and revising the layout until you are completely satisfied with how the final renderings look.

It’s a lengthy but necessary process!

In our case, it took us almost two months to confirm the design. Then, it took another month for our management to repair the defects in our apartment. Following that, our designers took another month to finish another project before they could start ours.

Our advice? Take delays into consideration when planning your renovation, especially if you’re living in a rental. Start talking to your interior designer a few months before you get possession of your new place. Once you have your keys, you should hopefully be able to crack on with construction.

Requires overseeing

Some homeowners don’t want to get involved at all. I get it. That’s why you’re paying your interior designers, right? They’re supposed to do all the work!

I admit I’m somewhat of a micromanager. It’s not that I don’t trust my interior designers. I’m just anxious because it’s our first home, and I want it to be perfect!

In my case, micromanaging paid off. We managed to prevent a few major mistakes from happening.

Remember someone bought the wrong kitchen backsplash? Well, it was a good thing my husband and I visited the site daily because we spotted the wrong tiles before they were installed.

The initial tiles were too big and didn’t match our vision board. It took our designers two tries before they bought the right ones. Imagine if they had installed the first tiles – that would’ve been a costly mistake!

Expensive

Interior designers are not cheap regardless of their scope. 13% of our total renovation costs were interior designer fees.

We wanted to save money, so our costs didn’t even include 3D renderings. Plus, we had to pay to get an initial quote, although that went towards the final cost.

I understand hiring an interior designer is a luxury not everyone can afford. Was it worth it for us? Absolutely!

Changes in management

Management changes may occur if you hire an interior design firm. A bigger firm usually has more than one designer and project manager. If you’re lucky, you’ll work with the same team from start to finish.

We were rather unfortunate because we had a sudden change in management. Our project manager left right before construction started. We were nervous because we’d never communicated with our new project manager. But, she was a true professional and assured us she would take care of everything. And, she did!

Others

There’s always going to be one or two unique pros and cons of hiring an interior designer.

Ours is a pretty rare situation because we thought our designers could do better when it came to sourcing furniture and home decor pieces. We were very surprised when they proposed a lot of Ikea furniture to us.

Don’t get me wrong – I love Ikea as much as the next person. However, I was hoping they would have access to one-of-a-kind suppliers and custom furniture makers.

I know they were probably trying to work within our budget, but it would be nice to see more unique options!

Will I hire an interior designer again?

It depends. I know, I know. It’s a vague answer, but I’m being honest! It comes down to our current situation and if we can afford it.

If I have the time, I would love to take up the challenge of designing our own home. At the same time, I know there are a ton of talented interior designers with whom I’ll love to work with. I mean, it’ll be an absolute dream if I could hire the Three Birds, Amber Interiors, or Pure Salt Interiors!

Did you hire an interior designer to design and build your home? What are your pros and cons of hiring an interior designer? Let us know in the comments below!

All photography by Groundwork Studio.

The post Pros and Cons of Hiring An Interior Designer (10 Things You Need To Know!) appeared first on That Isle Life.