Best Architecture
Architectural Digest at 100
If you’re looking for the ultimate oversized coffee table book that can blend in with nearly every aesthetic, we recommend Architectural Digest at 100: A Century of Style. The book celebrates a century of the iconic publication’s best covers, spreads, and photographs.
This book showcases celebrity homes like that of David Bowie as well as top designers and architects, like Frank Gehry and David Hicks, that will inspire your own interior style and design. Because of its size, this book will look chic and sophisticated on large coffee tables and console tables. It’s also an excellent gift for the design, architecture, or photography lover in your life.
Product Details: Dimensions: 10.55 x 1.6 x 13.45 inches | Pages: 464
Moon Garden
Even if you have a small space with a compact coffee table, you can still adorn it with a charming and intriguing book, which is why we love Jarema Osofsky’s Moon Garden: A Guide to Creating an Evening Oasis. This book offers planting and growing tips to create a moon garden, which includes plants and flowers that reflect moonlight, attract nocturnal creatures, and release scent after sundown such as a tuberose and sweet alyssums.
Regardless of your gardening and landscaping skill level this book provides helpful ways in which to use the lunar phases for night gardening and allow your moon garden to come alive at night. Whether you’re keeping this book for yourself or pairing it with a candle for an enchanting and dreamy gift, it’s sure to be a standout on your coffee table even with its petite size.
Product Details: Dimensions: 6.25 x 0.7 x 8.25 inches | Pages: 160
Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright is arguably the most famous American architect, so the Frank Lloyd Wright coffee table book is a must-have for architecture aficionados. This book offers a deep-dive into Wright’s vast career, highlighting his both realized and unrealized projects and his discernible organic Prairie style that went onto inspire mid-century and contemporary styles.
The author, who served as Wright's apprentice during the 1950s, also offers a unique insight and analysis of Wright’s work. We like that this book is slightly oversized horizontally, which is perfect for round coffee tables and as a base for stacking other books.
Product Details: Dimensions: 10.45 x 13.45 x 1.8 Inches | Pages: 504
Great Escapes USA
For those who want to feel like they can get away when delving into a book, we recommend Great Escapes USA The Hotel Book by Angelika Taschen. With this book, you can explore the most beautiful hotels, glamping sites, vintage mobile homes, and ranches across the country without ever leaving the comfort of your couch.
Taschen’s collection of her favorite escapes will evoke feelings of comfort, coziness, freedom, inspiration, and relaxation so you can take mini vacations as you flip through the pages. Its vibrant cover will pop against any type of coffee table, making it a great piece of decor for your home or a memorable gift for a loved one who loves to travel.
Product Details: Dimensions: 12.2 x 9.8 x 1.4 inches | Pages: 360
Rock-and-Roll Woman
Maybe you’re an avid musician, or maybe you want to introduce some rock icons to your child or younger sibling—either way, Rock and Roll Woman: The 50 Fiercest Female Rockers by Meredith Ochs will be your new favorite coffee table book. This book is an ode to 50 of the best and most influential women rockers from the 1950s to today, and across an array of genres.
Tina Turner, Patti Smith, Amy Winehouse, and Karen O are just some of the talented women in this book that will inspire even the most seasoned musician. Read this book as you put on your favorite rock vinyls and feel the power and impact of these women who graced many stages with fervor.
Product Details: Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.75 x 10 inches | Pages: 224
The New Black West
In a sea of sports coffee table books detailing soccer, basketball, and baseball, The New Black West: Photographs from America's Only Touring Black Rodeo by Gabriela Hasbun is a refreshing look into the typically unseen sport of the Black cowboy.
This photography book is a celebration of the historic accomplishments, strength, and determination of Black cowboys, and includes quotes and stories from the cowboys and cowgirls of the traveling Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo that started in 1984.
Whether you’re a horse lover, history buff, Western culture enthusiast, or fine art photography fan, this book is a unique adornment for your coffee table and an essential piece for expanding your knowledge.
Product Details: Dimensions: 8.6 x 11.0 x 0.7 inches|Pages: 144
The Future Is Fungi
If you’ve been searching for a nature-related coffee table book that isn’t about plants and flowers, look no further than The Future Is Fungi: How Fungi Feed Us, Heal Us, and Save Our World by Michael Lim.
This book is a comprehensive guide on the history, mythology, uses of numerous fungi and uses illustrations and photographs for clear identification. We love that this book delves into the impact and importance of fungi throughout human history, from its culinary status to the development of penicillin. Even if you’re not a fan of mushrooms, this book is a fascinating look into the kingdom of fungi and you’ll get lost in its pages as you relax in your living room.
Product Details: Dimensions: 7.8 x 0.9 x 10.1 inches | Pages: 212
Jean-Michel Basquiat
Legendary neo-expressionist artist Jean-Michael Basquiat has one of the most recognizable art styles and his work, just before his untimely death in 1988, has steadily increased in popularity and value. Jean-Michel Basquiat offers insight into Basquiat’s rich, bold, and expressive work, including his most seminal paintings and scribbled notebook sketches.
We like that each chapter is separated year-by-year with quotes from the artist himself. This book is the largest, both in dimensions and page count, on our list so it’s our top pick for a large coffee table. Additionally, it’s also the most expensive pick, but we think it’s definitely worth it for Basquiat fans and art lovers in general.
Product Details: Dimensions: 12.40 x 3.20 x 18.10 inches | Pages: 500
Tokyo Chic
Coffee table books about fashion are some of the most popular, offering striking and colorful visuals that could captivate any reader. We love Tokyo Chic by Andrea Fazzari for its mix of traditional and contemporary fashion and style of Japan’s capital city.
Unlike other fashion coffee table books that focus on the clothes, this book explores the history and traditions of Japanese culture, like its refined culinary scene, iconic streetwear, architecture and time-honored beauty traditions that still stand today. Each page is a peek into the beauty and style of Tokyo, both its people and its neighborhoods, along with quotes, testimonies, and tips on how to embrace personal style and fashion.
This is an ideal option for anyone who appreciates the avant-garde, Japanese culture, fashion, and striking photography.
Product Details: Dimensions: 9.84 x 1.57 x 12.99 inches | Pages: 314
Colors of Film
Whether you’re a cinephile, graphic designer, art major, or illustrator, you’ll appreciate Colors of Film: The Story of Cinema in 50 Palettes by Charles Bramesco as a coffee table book.
With the use of infographic color palettes and stills from 50 of the most beloved films, this book offers a more visual and informative approach to cinema. For example, you’ll get a better understanding of what colors mean when they’re on screen, what emotions they can represent, and how they can be used as markers of time.
As a gift or as a new piece for your coffee table, this book will give you a different appreciation of your favorite movie and how color made it a success.
Product Details: Dimensions: 6.95 x 1 x 9.7 inches | Pages: 208
Barbie
Immerse yourself in a Barbie world with this Assouline coffee table book by Susan Shapiro. Each page of Barbie is dedicated to celebrating the world’s most popular and iconic doll, which was created by Mattel founder Ruth Handler to defy the conventions and roles of women of the 1950s.
Readers can learn about Barbie’s rich history, significance, and legacy, starting at her origins as a doll in her signature black and white striped swimsuit all the way to one of the highest-grossing films of all time.
This book is the ultimate gift for Barbie lovers, pop culture enthusiasts, and young girls and women who want to see what they can achieve and aspire to be.
Product Details: Dimensions: 9.88 x 12.99 x 1.53 inches | Pages: 340
Coastal
Whether your home has a coastal vibe or you just wish you were on vacation, Coastal by Gray Malin will make you feel as if the ocean is just a few steps away. This book features the world’s most beautiful and luminous beaches and shorelines, like the entire Californian coast and Hawaii all the way to Australia and Thailand.
The aerial photographs show the vast blue waters of the most idyllic, enchanting locations lined with sunbathers, sailboats, and cliffsides. It’s also a great companion piece to Malin’s previous book, Beaches.
Adorn your coffee table with this book, a sea salt scented candle, and some decorative shells for the ultimate beach getaway feel.
Product Details: Dimensions: 10.31 x 13.07 x 0.94 inches | Pages: 208
Store Front NYC
The streets and storefronts of New York City are some of the most recognizable in the world, and Store Front NYC: Photographs of the City's Independent Shops, Past and Present does an excellent job at capturing their history, diversity, and character.
This 240-page book highlights the slowly disappearing small businesses of New York City, including candy stores, tea parlors, and hole-in-wall restaurants. Each chapter is its own burrough, complete with vivid descriptions and maps. We especially like that most of the storefronts are single-page images that fully capture their essence and charm.
Product Details: Dimensions: 12.13 x 0.95 x 10.38 inches | Pages: 240
Lessons from Madame Chic
If you’re looking for a special edition coffee table book that’s more text heavy, Lessons from Madame Chic by Jennifer L. Scott is the one for you. This book is a guidebook on how to live a more artful Parisian lifestyle—no matter where it is you call home.
Author Jennifer L. Scott outlines the 20 tips she learned while living in Paris, hosted by a woman she calls “Madame Chic.” The book includes tips on how to snack and how to look presentable always, and is a crash course on how to apply old-fashioned sophistication to a modern life.
The special edition comes in a black bonded leather cover with embossed gold lettering and, best of all, it can be personalized to make it truly yours.
Product Details: Dimensions: 5.5 x 7 x 1 inches | Pages: 304
Black Is Beautiful
For those looking for a coffee table book whose cover is just as stunning as the contents within, we recommend Black Is Beautiful by Kwame Brathwaite. We think this is one of the top options because of how it delves into the ethos of “Black Is Beautiful.” What started as a political slogan popularized by photographer Kwame Brathwaite and evolved into a global movement embraces Black culture, identity, and beauty.
This book highlights under-recognized artists of the 1950s and 60s with studio portraits and behind-the-scenes photographs magically captured by Brathwaite. Thoughtfully curated, this book explores and celebrates Brathwaite’s work and offers a glimpse into the rich and influential culture of Black people throughout New York City and beyond.
Product Details: Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.75 x 10.63 inches | Pages: 144
Beyond Terror
Most horror fans showcase their bold and otherworldly aesthetic with film posters and figurines, but now they can add this hauntingly good book to their collection. Beyond Terror: The Films of Lucio Fulci by Stephen Thrower and Antonella Fulci is an in-depth exploration into the films of Italy's Master of the Macabre, Lucio Fulci.
This collection of film stills, posters, illustrations, and behind-the-scenes photographs offers an encyclopedic look into Fucli’s work, camera techniques, and nightmarish mind. Although the book is quite large and heavy and may not be suitable for glass coffee tables, it’s definitely a standout piece that’ll keep you flipping its pages well through the night.
Product Details: Dimensions: 10 x 1.5 x 11.9 inches | Pages: 432
Wild Interiors: Beautiful Plants in Beautiful Spaces
Plant parents are notorious for filling every corner of their home with a new or rare houseplant, transforming their home into something of a lived-in greenhouse. As a gift for a plant lover or for yourself, Wild Interiors: Beautiful Plants in Beautiful Spaces by Hilton Carter is the best piece of decor (second to a houseplant, of course).
Take a peek into the lush homes of a dozen plant parents across the country and see how they use different types of plants to style their space and showcase their personal aesthetic.
Author Hilton Carter, also known as The Plant Doctor, also gives readers plenty of houseplant care tips, insight into his own plant journey, and how to style certain plants in certain rooms of your home. Whether you’re a black thumb or a plant enthusiast with years of experience, this book will inspire you to have a greener home and celebrate nature.
Product Details: Dimensions: 7.5 x 1.1 x 9.25 inches | Pages: 224
French Blooms
Flower arrangements are certainly a popular choice to decorate any coffee table, so why not take it one step further with this elegant coffee table book? French Blooms is by Sandra Sigman, an award-winning floral designer and owner of Les Fleurs.
The book serves as both a love letter to her time in Paris and the French arrangements that inspired her career and as well as a practical guide for anyone who wants to design a floral bouquet or arrangement.
The tutorials, instructions, and design principles she provides are passed down from her favorite Parisian florist so you can fill your home with the same elegance and sophistication.
Product Details: Dimensions: 8.35 x 0.9 x 10.27 inches | Pages: 192
Picturing the Barrio
The ethnic identity and political movements of Mexican-Americans, or Chicanos, is a significant part of American culture as a whole. Picturing the Barrio: Ten Chicano Photographers by David William Foster examines the distinct photography of ten artists and their portrayal of this unique community.
This book illustrates the Chicano experience, from small towns to bustling cities, exploring subjects of class, ethnicity, and gender. We think this one is ideal for its captivating photographs that tell their own story and provide a deeper understanding of Chicanos across the US. We also like that it’s on the smaller side, so it’s a great option for those with more compact coffee tables.
Product Details: Dimensions: 7 x 0.5 x 9 inches | Pages: 240
Arranging Things
For those who like to design their space with minimalism, texture, scale, and palettes in mind, we recommend Arranging Things by Colin King. His deliberate and thoughtful method of designing is outlined in this book through images and anecdotes, ultimately creating a home that is composed yet personal.
Whether you’re looking for bookshelf inspiration or just enjoy homes with soft earth tones, this book is a meditative look into how to organize your furniture and decor while making it feel like you.
Product Details: Dimensions: 9 x 10.5 inches | Pages: 240
Sharks
Get up close and personal with the most feared yet misunderstood ocean predator. Sharks: Face-to Face with the Ocean's Endangered Predator impressively and beautifully documents these majestic creatures in their natural states.
Photographer Michael Muller’s collection includes shots from the underside of the unusually-shaped hammerhead shark to the first-known photograph of a prominent great white breaching at night.
You’ll feel a rush of adrenaline as you flip the pages of this book, shedding away any preconceived notions about this endangered fish, and get to know the real beauty and power of sharks and what their future can hold.
Product Details: Dimensions: 10.4 x 1.4 x 13.6 inches | Pages: 334
Live Beautiful
Interior designer Athena Calderone outlines how to create a thoughtfully put-together and aesthetically pleasing home in her book Live Beautiful. An inspiring look into how professional creatives design their spaces, this book offers explanations on what works and what doesn’t when it comes to design, along with actionable ideas on how to design and decorate your home.
The homes in this book include an international network of fashion designers, interior decorators, and more, each one sharing their favorite brands, colors, decor stores, and more so you can feel motivated to integrate similar elements to your own space.
Product Details: Dimensions: 9.35 x 11.35 x 1.2 inches | Pages: 256
Dalí
Artsy coffee table books can be quite expensive, so if you’re looking to spruce up your coffee table with an alluring book that won’t break the bank, we recommend Dalí by Gilles Néret. It’s also the book with the least amount of pages on our book, which means it’s thin enough to stack with other books or decorative objects.
This book is a celebration of arguably the most famous surrealist painter, Salvador Dalí, and his eccentric work and personality. You can appreciate a variety of details, like his technical skills and his dream-like elements, all while adding a whimsical touch to your home’s decor.
Product Details: Dimensions: 10 x 0.5 x 12 inches | Pages: 96
Every Day I Pray for Love
Contemporary Japanese artist and poet Yayoi Kusama shares a personal and intimate insight into her life and creative process with her book, Every Day I Pray for Love. In addition to poems and explanations behind her work’s captivating titles, this book features 300 pages of Kusama’s paintings, sculptures, installations, and photographs of her through the years.
We love the bold cover that’s perfect for maximalist homes with quirky coffee tables, and its vibrant pages that’ll give you a deeper understanding and appreciation of Kusama’s creative mind and experience as a beloved artist.
Product Details: Dimensions: 6.5 x 1 x 7.75 inches | Pages: 304
Beautiful Machines
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the car enthusiast in your life, Beautiful Machines: The Era of the Elegant Sports Car by Blake Z. Rong, Gestalten, and Jan Baedeker is a thoughtful choice.
We think this is one of the best coffee table books for its collection of stylish, innovative, and rare sports cars. Explore the stories of some of the most groundbreaking automobile designs and technologies, like the shark-inspired Maserati Ghibli and the Porsche 918 Spyder. With the flip of each page, readers can admire the beauty, performance, and ambition of these machines.
Product Details: Dimensions: 1.3 x 10.8 x 12 inches | Pages: 336
Patterns of India
A colorful coffee table book can be an eye-catching piece of decor for your living room, and Patterns of India: A Journey Through Colors, Textiles, and the Vibrancy of Rajasthan by Christine Chitnis does a stunning job at integrating that pop of color.
This book is more of a visual experience, each page filled with more vibrant hues, textures, and patterns than the last. Organized by the five dominant colors—royal blue, sandstone, marigold, ivory, and rose—this book explores how these colors are intrinsically woven into Indian culture, religion, food, style, and more. Let this book’s beauty transport you to this unique, faraway land from the comfort of your living room.
Product Details: Dimensions: 7.1 x 1.10 x 9.7 inches | Pages: 288
The Mamba Mentality
The Mamba Mentality: How I Play is the best coffee table book for the basketball fan in your life, particularly those who loved Kobe Bryant. The book offers a look into The Black Mamba’s career and knowledge of the game that made him a legacy.
In the book, Bryant recounts his own experiences as a player, his methods of studying other players, and how he found the strength and passion to play through injuries—all part of what he coined to be “The Mamba Mentality.”
Whether you want to give this to a die-hard Lakers fan, or just appreciate how NBA’s official photographer Andrew D. Bernstein captured Kobe throughout the years, this book is a memorable insight into the mind of one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Product Details: Dimensions: 9.35 x 11.1 x 1 inches | Pages: 208
Dogs
Fine art photography can be abstract and moody, but if you want to brighten your day every time you look down at your coffee table, then Dogs by Tim Flach and Lewis Blackwell is the best coffee table book for your home.
This book is a heartwarming study of humans’ most enduring bond with their canine companions, showcasing show dogs, shelter dogs, racing dogs, and domestic dogs of all kinds. Each page spotlights the irresistible characteristics and quirks of various dogs, making you smile and even laugh as you remember why dogs are such an integral part of our lives.
We like that this book can appeal to all ages so you can display it confidently on your coffee table. Enjoy this book on your couch alongside your fur baby or gift it to any dog lover in your life as the most memorable and feel-good present.
Product Details: Dimensions: 12.22 x 12.24 x 12.4 inches | Pages: 216
Mexican
If you’re in the market for a coffee table book, then it’s safe to assume that you might be a fan of interior and exterior design and styling. We love Mexican: A Journey Through Design by Newell Turner and Susana Ordovás for the way it captures the rich cultural details of Mexico when it comes to design, from the pre-Columbian era to contemporary.
A vivid collection of color, texture, and contrasts, this book highlights quiet pueblos, private residences, dynamic city streets, museums, and landscapes whose aesthetic and heritage has had a worldwide impact.
Like each sip of your coffee, the flip of each page feels more vibrant than the last. Its size is great for displaying on large coffee tables, patio dining tables, and console tables as a bold standalone piece.
Product Details: Dimensions: 9.75 x 1.25 x 12.55 inches | Pages: 256
Mayumu
If you thought all cookbooks belonged on the kitchen counter or in a cabinet, Mayumu: Filipino American Desserts Remixed by Abi Balingit might make you rethink that. This bright and imaginative baking book is a sweet treat for the eyes, which is why we think it’s one of the best coffee table books.
This book is a celebration of author and baker Abi Balingit’s culture and passion for baking, with 75 Filipino American dessert recipes along with essays on the Filipino American experience. Whether you’re looking to make Ube Macapuno Molten Lava Cakes for the first time, or just want to gaze at the crumbly goodness of Red Velvet Sylvanas, this book is perfect for both your kitchen and your coffee table.
Product Details: Dimensions: 7.73 x 0.95 x 9.21 inches | Pages: 288