Ask Joshua: How to Choose the Right Coffee Table Books

Hi Joshua,

I recently decorated my living room, and my new coffee table just arrived. I’m excited because this is my first time having a home filled with things I truly love.

I’ve been looking at coffee table styling ideas on Pinterest and noticed that many people decorate with stacks of books. I love the look, but I’m unsure where to begin or which books I should choose.

How do I find the right coffee table books for my living room?

Thank you,

Hannah - Indianapolis, IN

AI rendering of a Scandinavian-style living room with coffee table books, styled by virtual interior designer Joshua Jones of JJones Design Co.

Hi Hannah,

Coffee table books are one of my favorite ways to make a living room feel more personal and thoughtfully styled. They add color, texture, and height to the table while giving you and your guests something interesting to browse.

With so many coffee table books available, however, choosing the right ones can feel overwhelming. Here are a few ways to narrow down your options and create a book stack that complements your living room.

Choose Books Based on Your Interests

Start with subjects that genuinely interest you. This could include interior design, architecture, travel, fashion, photography, gardening, food, art, history, or biographies of people you admire.

Your coffee table books should reveal something about your personality rather than serving only as decorative objects. When you select books you would actually enjoy reading, they can also become natural conversation starters when guests visit.

For example, you might choose a photography book about a favorite city, a cookbook from a chef you admire, or an interior design book that reflects the style of your home.

Pay Attention to Book Size and Proportion

Coffee table books are generally larger than standard hardcover books, but they do not all need to be the same size. Combining different sizes can make a stack feel more visually interesting.

Place the largest book at the bottom and gradually layer smaller books on top. A stack of two or three books is usually enough for most coffee tables. If the stack becomes too tall, it may block the view across the room or make the table less practical to use.

The size of your coffee table matters, too. A substantial coffee table can support larger books or multiple stacks, while a smaller table may only need one carefully selected stack.

Coordinate the Colors With Your Living Room

Consider how the colors on the book covers and spines relate to the rest of the room. They do not need to match your décor perfectly, but they should feel connected to the overall color palette.

Neutral books in white, cream, beige, gray, or black can create a calm and cohesive look. Colorful book covers can introduce contrast and personality, especially in a room with mostly neutral furnishings.

If you love a particular book but its removable dust jacket does not complement your space, look underneath it. The hardcover may have a simpler color or texture that works beautifully with your décor.

Create Balance With Other Decorative Objects

Books can provide a foundation for styling smaller decorative objects. Try placing a decorative bowl, sculptural object, candle, or small vase on top of the stack.

Avoid covering the entire coffee table. Leaving some open space makes the arrangement feel intentional and gives you room to set down a drink, use a tray, or entertain guests.

If you have a large rectangular coffee table, you could create two separate groupings: a stack of books on one side and a tray or decorative bowl on the other. For a round or square coffee table, one central arrangement may be all you need.

Consider a Curated Set of Coffee Table Books

If you would rather not select each book individually, you can purchase a curated collection. These sets are often assembled according to color, size, subject, or design style, making it easier to create a coordinated stack.

Before purchasing a decorative book collection, check whether the books contain subjects you would enjoy. Beautiful covers are helpful, but meaningful and readable books will make your coffee table feel much more personal.

I’ve gathered several coffee table books and curated book sets in the shopping list below to help you get started.

Best of luck,

Joshua Jones

Shop Coffee Table Books

Have an interior design related question? You can ask Joshua here.

Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, JJones Design Co. may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I recommend these products because I believe they may help you achieve your design goals, not because they offer affiliate commissions. Please do not feel obligated to purchase anything unless it is right for you and your home.