By Nancy Mattia, CTW Features
A collection of coffee table books displayed in your living room adds an intimate yet fun vibe to the décor and instantly lets visitors know your tastes and interests. Years ago, coffee table books mostly covered art, travel, and fashion but today you can find them on just about every subject, from astrology to zebras. With so many choices, though, how can you decide which books to get?
For starters, choose books that are beautifully designed with amazing photography; a book’s color and size should also play a role in your choices. Read below for more:
Make your selections personal
Customize the books by showcasing subjects that matter to you. If you love jazz, pick up a book about the history of this art form or get one about jazz legend Miles Davis. Or if you’re a diehard New York Yankees fan, you’ll find coffee table books filled with photos of thrilling moments from the team’s history. Virtually anything that interests you has been the subject of a coffee table book.
Check out the covers
The first thing to consider when deciding on a coffee table book is whether or not you find the cover appealing. Is the overall design attractive? Are the fonts easy to read? Is the book worth lounging with on your sofa on a quiet afternoon?
Think about a book’s size
Coffee table books come in a variety of sizes, so pick those that work with the dimensions of your table. The blog “Home Décor Bliss” suggests each book be at least 9 to 10 inches in length to make an impact on your décor. Put the book that’s the largest on the bottom of the stack, with the rest of the books on top as they decrease in size.
Consider if the colors work
To create a visually pleasing aesthetic, think about the colors already in the room. Choose coffee table books in the same hues to complement or choose a contrasting color for a touch of drama.
Don’t overdo the stack
Start out with a pile of three books, spines out so the titles are visible. If the pile could use some extra oomph, add two or four more books. (People find groupings of odd-numbered items more appealing.) This will also make sure the look says “cozy,” not “library.”
Think outside the coffee table
There are plenty of other places in your home to arrange coffee table books other than just on a coffee table. An end table or the fireplace mantel is the perfect depository for a stack of small books. A prominent shelf is another good spot—arrange books in a mix of horizontal and vertical placement.