Moving into a new place or deciding to remodel or redecorate opens up a realm of possibility. Paint colors, curtain fabrics, knickknacks, oh my! One thing you probably don't think too hard about, though, is your coffee table. It's just there as a place to set down your remote or throw piles of mail onto, right? Au contraire --everyone that visits your house is going to see that coffee table, so what's on it should reflect the kind of person you are. One way to do that? Adorn it with stacks of books, but not just any novel you recently cracked open.
"Coffee table books" are large, hardcover tomes that are a presence in and of themselves and can say a lot about you. Are you into modern art, photography, interior design, music? Let the books you select for your space speak for themselves. Check off which of these books you're drawn to and we'll see how your home is shaping up.
This book is filled with photos just like the one on the cover, depicting rooms that aren't overly-styled but still feel trendy and as stunning as those perfect rooms we see on Instagram. If you're a little self-conscious about how to design your home, let this serve as the inspo (and reality check) you need. Buy here!
The ultimate conversation-starter, "Humans of New York" is a collection of portrait photographs with accompanying mini biographies. The subjects are all residents of New York City, who photographer Brandon Stanton photographed and spoke to in order to learn more about and paint a picture of the ever-evolving culture of the Big Apple. Buy here!
Both an homage to the iconic filmmaker and a behind-the-scenes look at his Oscar-winning film, inside this book lies set photos, personal anecdotes, cast interviews and more from Anderson and the rest of the crew. The cover will wow any of your guests, and the Middle Europe landscape photos within aren't anything to scoff at, either. Buy here!
I mean, easy pick for your coffee table here, I think. Besides the beautiful, vibrant cover, get an inside look at the private homes and properties of the world's top fashion, design and art experts. Inside, you'll find Tory Burch's Southampton estate, Stella McCartney's English abode and Cindy Crawford's cabin in Canada, among others. Buy here!
What can I say? Vogue knows style. This book encompasses every cover of the magazine since 2010, featuring everyone from Michelle Obama to Kim and Kanye. Buy here!
Looking to get into flower arranging? Leave this book on your coffee table and flip through whenever you need some quality time with photos of bouquets. Even if you're not into arranging flowers yourself, this cover will go with plenty of decor styles. Buy here!
Is this book cover of bread making anyone else feel some type of way? I could longingly stare at it all day long, and the recipes inside for artisan breads are just a bonus. Buy here!
I mean...this is pretty self-explanatory. Buy here!
Yearning for the motherland? The cover photo of this book itself is a gorgeous reminder of the pizza capital of the world, but photographer Gray Malin's work throughout is awe-inspiring. Buy here!
Even if you haven't been really invested in how colors play a part in our society and culture, this very pink book cover will look stark and stunning on your coffee table. Fashion historian Valerie Steele collaborated with the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology to curate a story about how the color pink has influenced us over the years. Buy here!
Can't get enough of Queen Elizabeth II's coordinating pantsuits, Kate Middleton's blowouts or Meghan Markle's freckles? For the ultimate royal fan, take a step inside the imposing Buckingham Palace to get a sense for how the other half lives. Buy here!
If you don't know this woman's name yet, you should. Still ticking things off her bucket list in her late 90s, Apfel is a fashion guru and overall adorable person. Decked out in her eclectic style and signature oversized glasses, Apfel's style and influence is explored in this look back through her life. Set this book on your coffee table and hang out with Iris every day. Buy here!
The advertising world is an ever-evolving place, and the '90s were vibrant, raw and limitless. Flip through pages and pages of '90s-era ads depicting John Lennon and Yoko Ono, old-school Versace and the occasional speedo. Buy here!