I have a special place in my heart for pretty coffee table books. Yes, I love using them for styling, however I also love flipping through the pages and getting inspired. Below I'm sharing a few tips on how to style your books, as well as a link to some of my favourites in case you're looking to add to your collection.
1. Consider Colours
I found that my coffee table books typically have a very similar aesthetic because I'm naturally drawn to a specific style and colour. This isn't to say that all your books need to match when styling your shelves (I love to mix and match!), however consider what colours look best together to get the look you're trying to achieve. If you're like me and like the more neutral and minimalist look, sometimes it's as simple as removing a sleeve from a book to tone it down.
2. Consider Book Dimensions
Similar to the point above, when styling your shelves, keep proportions in mind - did you want the books be the same width? Do you want them to be stacked from largest to smallest? Consider the thickness as well, and play around to see what looks best.
One of my favourite things to do is what I like to call "Tetris" my books and accessories, by arranging them in slightly different ways. Have a look at the pictures below to get a better understanding of what I mean.
3. Add Accessories
Vases, candles, bookends, pictures frames, decor accents - anything and everything can be used to bring some visual interest and add some height and width to the mix.
4. Play around with what you have
When we first moved into our home, I felt as though I needed to buy 100 new books! Although I did buy a few, I was surprised by what I had at home. I even moved a few cookbooks to my family room because they were the perfect fit!
You can also use novels, and family albums in the mix. One of my most asked questions is "where is the linen book on your coffee table from?", and it's actually our wedding album. I love having it displayed and it works perfectly with my aesthetic.
5. Don't overthink it!
Lastly, but most importantly, don't overthink it! Sometimes it's as simple as placing a stack of books between two bookends, or laying one book down with an accent on top, that will give you a simple and clean look.
I've collected many books over the years, and some of them are very near and dear to my heart. Some of my favourites include, Abode and Made for Living. Most of the other books I own, as well as a few I'm eyeing can be found here, incase you're interested in adding to your collection. They're not all necessarily coffee table books, but I do use them in styling!
I hope you found this helpful, and as always, please leave any questions below.
XO
Caroline
