Gifting season has arrived! While I enjoy searching for unique, new, and personalized gift ideas, there are also a few tried-and-true gifts that I know I can always count on to be a hit. Coffee table books are one of these g0-t0 gifts. I’ve always loved decorating with books, and I know many of my friends and family members do as well. This makes them an excellent gift, not only for the holidays, but also for a hostess, a housewarming, or Mother’s Day. Today I’m going to share some of my favorite coffee table books as well as provide a few tips on how to style them in your home.
Decorating with Books for Inspiration
In my opinion, there aren’t many things better than flipping through a favorite coffee table book while sipping on coffee. I find so much inspiration from my book collection. Anytime I’m feeling uninspired, I can flip through a Slim Aarons or a James Farmer book and feel right back on track from a design perspective. This is one of the reasons why I love decorating with books. It’s great to have them readily available whenever I need a boost of creativity! As much as I love finding inspiration through Pinterest and other blogs, there’s just something special and less overwhelming about seeing it all in print. Browsing these books helps me slow down, focus, and feel invigorated.
Why I Enjoy Decorating with Books
In addition to having inspiration at my fingertips, decorating with books adds character and style to any room! There are so many reasons why I love using these pieces as home decor. Here are a few!
- Coffee table books allow the homeowner to show his or her personality. Love fashion? Display a book about royal style. Does your husband love golf? Grab a golf book to display in his home office.
- Decorating with books is an inexpensive way to enhance a space. Some of my favorite coffee table books are under $30. Additionally, there might be some great finds available at your local thrift shops!
- Coffee table books make great fillers for small areas of empty space. As the name implies, they’re great to display on coffee tables. But, they’re also great in other areas of your home as well, such as on shelves, under lamps, or on a nightstand.
- Decorating with books allows you to tell a story. For example, you can purchase a coffee table book after every special trip you go on. Having these around your home will remind you of all of the fun you had while traveling! These Assouline books are my favorites when it comes to travel books.
Tips for Decorating with Books
Over the years, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed expanding my coffee table book collection, and I know I will continue to do so! I’m always wanting to move things around and redecorate our home. A perk to reorganizing books is that they’re much easier to move and restyle compared to a large piece of furniture! Here are some of my favorite tips for decorating with books.
- Start by gathering all of the books that you own. This can be a combination of novels, biographies, and design books. Once you have them all together it will be easier to decide which books to display in each room of your home.
- Combine books with other decorative objects, rather than displaying them individually. I like to style my coffee table books with matches, candles, and pretty coasters. Additionally, you could combine them with ginger jars, lamps, or artwork on shelves.
- Mix and match book sizes and display styles. Rather than lining up books that are all the same size, I find it’s more visually appealing to have them differ a bit. Additionally, you can display a few books vertically followed by a few books horizontally. This takes up more space and adds some character!
- Display a coffee table book opened up to a special page. We have this lucite book display on our coffee table and it is so elegant and chic. A fun idea is to display your wedding photo album opened up to a favorite photo. Looking at this will provide an instant mood boost!
- Decorating with books doesn’t end in the living room. I love using this decor tactic in bedrooms, dining rooms, entryways, and even kitchens! Displaying cookbooks not only provides a fun decor touch, but it’s also convenient while cooking. I love this wooden cookbook holder.
Gifting Coffee Table Books
Just as I love decorating with books, I love gifting them as well! They make a wonderful gift for a hostess, mom, new homeowner, or friend. Each Christmas, I actually exchange coffee table books with one of my best friends. I always love seeing which one she picks out. Knowing me so well, her book selection is consistently spot on for what I’m into, and just obscure enough that I haven’t already picked it up for myself!
If you’re wondering where to start when it comes to gifting coffee table books, here are a few of my current favorites!
CHARM SCHOOL
First up, the Schumacher Guide to Traditional Decorating for Today. If your girl loves patterns, this one is for her!
de Gournay
This book features styles from my favorite wallpaper artist. You will get lost in these designs. It’s one of my all-time favorites!
Deeda Blair
If you’re looking for the perfect gift for a girl who enjoys hosting, look no further! This book is full of inspiration including recipes, table settings, menus, and more.
HRH
Have a friend who is royally obsessed? This book is for her! I own and love this one. It’s so much fun to flip through the pages and get fashion inspiration from some of the most famous royal women in history.
Assouline Travel Books
These are so much fun to collect and they make the perfect give for a traveler! There are over 30 destinations in the series to choose from, and the vibrant colors are beautiful in any home.
Gifting & Decorating with Books
I hope this post leaves you feeling inspired to dig through your closet, explore your local thrift shops, and maybe do a little shopping to add some new pieces to your coffee table book collection. And while you’re at it, maybe grab a book or two for someone special on your holiday list this year, whether it’s the hostess with the mostest or your mother-in-law. If you have any questions about decorating with books, feel free to send me an email or DM. I’m always happy to help!
And for additional holiday gifting ideas, check out my favorite family board games, our bauble stockings tradition, thoughtful gifts for her, and my favorite gifts for men.
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