Not sure how best to decorate with coffee table books? I’ll give you helpful tips and 23 coffee table book decor ideas so that you know exactly how to spruce up any room.
I’m super excited to share some coffee table book decor ideas with you. Seriously, I absolutely love decorating with them—they’re just so versatile and add such a cool vibe to any room.
In this post, I’m going to walk you through multiple rooms where you can spruce up your space with coffee table books, from the entryway to the kitchen and everything in between.
By the time you finish reading, you’ll have all the inspiration and tips you need to elevate your home decor game with these stylish beauties.
What are coffee table books?
Ever spot those beautiful books on a coffee table adorned with other pretty decorations? Yeah, those are probably coffee table books.
They’re not like regular books that tell stories—they’re full of stunning pictures instead. And they’re usually bigger and sturdier, with fancy covers.
What’s great about them is that they come in all kinds of topics, from travel to fashion to art.
And they’re perfect for sparking conversation when guests come over. Not to forget that they make your space look super chic!
How to choose the right coffee table books?
Choosing the “right” coffee table books is totally up to you—it’s all about what vibes with your style and interests. If you’re into fashion, why not grab a fashion-inspired coffee table book?
Or maybe you’re all about keeping your decor on point. Then you could choose books that match your home’s vibe. Regardless of whether you feel inspired by the theme or not.
Honestly, I think for many of us (myself included), coffee table books are more about putting the finishing touches on our decor than about getting inspiration.
I mean, who’s really going to pause in the entryway, move aside the decor, and dive into a coffee table book? Nothing wrong with it, though—just saying it’s mostly about the looks!
Oh, and if you’re feeling the urge to shop, I’ve got a list of pretty coffee table books ideas waiting for you at the end of this post!
How many coffee table books should you stack?
So, how many books you stack really depends on where you’re putting them and how much space you’ve got.
Also, think about how you want to decorate them. Do you want the books to stand alone, or do you want to add some extra decor on top? Like maybe a vase or something else.
If you solely want to display coffee table books, stacking 2-5 should work perfectly. But if you’re planning to jazz them up with some extra decor on top, 1-3 might be all you need.
When it comes to bigger furniture, like your coffee table, you can go for 2-4 books. But for smaller spaces, like the entryway, 1-2 books might be just right.
And hey, if your coffee table’s on the smaller side, 1-2 books could work there too. Then you can add some other cool stuff on top to complete the look!
Also, you can totally leave your coffee table books as they are, but you can also spice things up by adding other stuff on top of them. So, before we get into the coffee table book decor ideas…
Here are some items to put onto your coffee table books:
- Small decorative objects like figurines or sculptures
- Vases with fresh flowers or greenery
- Candles or candle holders
- Decorative bowls
- Trays for organizing smaller items
Well, let’s finally dive into the coffee table books decor ideas and see some examples!
23 Coffee Table Book Decor Ideas
1. Add a Candle
I find that the easiest way to decorate coffee table books is by stacking a couple and then placing a larger candle on top. It’s a classic move that always looks good.
Also, if you’re into that clean, minimalist vibe, sticking with coffee table books all in the same color is the way to go. It keeps things nice and cohesive.
And if you have a wooden dresser, white coffee table books will really stand out! They’ll look great against the wood and make your space look super stylish!
2. Side Table Decor
Okay, can we take a moment to appreciate how pretty those pink tulips look in that vase? But hey, let’s get back to talking about coffee table books.
So, if your side table is kinda small, just one coffee table book should do the trick.
You could try adding two, but that might be pushing it. I’d say it’s best to play around and see what looks best.
You can top it off with a smaller candle. And if you’ve still got some space on the side table, adding a stylish vase with flowers would make the whole setup look even prettier and more inviting.
3. Add Some on Your Console Table
Coffee table books aren’t just for coffee tables—you can use them to jazz up almost anything! Take your console table in the entryway, for example.
But remember, entryway spaces are usually narrower, so it’s best to keep it simple with just two books.
You can top them off with a bowl to add some flair and make it look extra stylish.
4. Layer Your Books
You may be wondering whether coffee table books should be the same size. And the answer is: No, absolutely not!
So, when you’re layering your coffee table books, start with the biggest ones and work your way down to the smallest. This gives your setup more dimension and makes it look really cool.
Plus, stacking books in different colors that still go well together adds even more visual interest.
You can keep them as they are or top them off with a tray and a vase for an extra stylish touch.
5. Be Bold
The choice is yours when it comes to coffee table books – choose darker tones for a moody atmosphere or bring in all bright colors for a super cheerful look!
I mean, I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many colors in one place, but I gotta say, I’m into it.
So, if that’s your style, go for it! Get bold and create multiple stacks of books with colors that complement each other. I’ll look awesome!
6. Create Contrast
On the flip side, we have a dark wooden console table with white and gray coffee table books. It’s sleek, it’s modern, and it’s got that perfect balance of light and dark.
And if you want a touch of glamor, you could place a silver tray on top. It will give the whole arrangement an extra sparkle. Just an idea!
Or if you want to create a cozy atmosphere, a vase with some greenery on top is just the thing for you. It makes the whole setting look more inviting and fresh.
7. Decorate Your Shelves
Here’s another spot to stash all your coffee table books: your shelves! Bookshelves, floating shelves, or any other kind of shelves. They’re just waiting to be decked out with coffee table books.
You can stack them up or stand them side by side like regular books on a shelf.
Then, get creative! Add some greenery, throw in some statement vases or candles—whatever you like.
Or if your coffee table books already bring plenty of color to the table, you could let them shine on their own.
8. On the Kitchen Counter
Here’s how it looks when you have your coffee table books all lined up next to each other.
And this brings us to another spot where you can add your coffee table books: your kitchen counter!
You can put some aesthetic cookbooks here, which is super convenient to have nearby. Or, you could go for coffee table books with lots of food photography to add some inspiration as well.
Just place them on a wooden cutting board or a tray, and add a vase next to them. It looks so beautiful!
9. Use Your Kitchen Shelves
Let’s hang out in the kitchen for another second. If you’ve got floating shelves in there, they’re perfect for showing off your aesthetic books.
Just stand them side by side so you can grab them easily whenever you need some culinary inspo.
Plus, you’ll still have space for other kitchen must-haves, like a cutting board, too.
10. Black and White
I think black and white are always a winner, especially if your style is modern! It’s just so elegant. Try stacking your books on the coffee table in alternating black and white – it looks really chic.
And you can add more black and white decorations on and around the books to give them an extra stylish touch.
11. Consider the Shape
When you’re decorating a round coffee table, think about its shape. A good trick is to aim for a triangle layout to keep things balanced. Otherwise, it might look too cluttered.
Here’s how: group your items by category or theme. Then, arrange them in a triangle shape. You can see what I mean in the image above.
For instance, put your coffee table books at one corner of the triangle, a vase with flowers at another, and maybe a candle at the third corner.
Of course, you don’t have to stick to this rule rigidly. It’s just a helpful starting point to get you going!
12. Linear Placement
Now, let’s talk about decorating a rectangular coffee table. Here, you can keep things nice and linear instead of going for a triangle shape.
Just stack your coffee table books side by side, or throw in a tray and vase between the stacks. It’ll give your setup a clean and organized vibe.
13. Add Them to Your Bar Cart
Got a bar cart at home but not sure how to jazz it up? Adding some coffee table books can be the perfect finishing touch!
You can stack them up with other decor on top, or lean them against other items on the cart. It’s a great way to fill up empty spaces and make everything look super stylish!
14. Place a Statue on Top
Throwing a statue on top of your coffee table books is a neat way to spice up your setup. It adds a little something extra and gives your space some personality and charm.
15. Spruce Up Your Vanity
We’ve officially moved into the bedroom. (Not literally, of course! lol) But if you have a vanity table in your bedroom, it’s the perfect place for these coffee table books.
You can stack them up and throw on some extra stuff, like a perfume bottle, candle, or a vase with flowers – or why not all three, just like they did in the picture above?
It’s seriously stunning, don’t you think?
16. End of Bed Bench
If you’re one of those lucky folks with enough space in your bedroom to have a bench at the end of your bed, first off, lucky you!
Second, let’s talk about how to jazz up that bench with some decor.
Think about placing a coffee table book with a plant on top. Or maybe a tray, candle, or even a cool sculpture. Whatever you like.
Just play around with different items to see what looks best on your bench. It’s all about adding that personal touch!
17. Nightstand Decor
Your nightstand is the next lucky victim on our list. So, if you’ve got one with multiple compartments, then yay! More space for those pretty books!
But if not and you have a smaller nightstand, no worries. Just go for one coffee table book and pop a small item on top. That way, there’s still room for your table lamp. Either way, it’s gonna look awesome!
18. Bedroom Dresser Decor
If your dresser doesn’t have much room for decor, keeping it simple with just two books is perfect. And if you’re all about that sleek, modern vibe, it’s totally the way to go.
Want to jazz it up even more? Throw a cool sculpture on top of the books to give it that extra pop and add a personal touch.
19. On the Toilet Tank
Haha, well, I’m pretty sure you didn’t expect that! But even your empty toilet tank can use a little sprucing up! Coffee table books are perfect for adding some charm to that space.
But hey, no pressure—if it’s not your thing, no worries. I just want to make sure we cover all the bases for where you can place these lovely books!
20. Add a Table Lamp
You can jazz up your coffee table books by placing smaller stuff like candles or trays on top.
But you could also go big with a table lamp! It’ll bring some height and style to your setup, making it look more put-together.
Plus, those lamps with shades give off such a cozy glow. You can totally rock this setup on your console table or nightstand too.
21. Above the Fireplace
Got a fireplace with a mantel? Consider sprucing it up with some coffee table books!
Stand them up alongside other decor like candle holders, a vase, or a mirror.
It’ll make the space look super pretty and add to the overall vibe!
22. Behind the Sofa
If you have a console table or dresser behind your couch, here’s a simple idea: make two stacks of coffee table books, two books each.
Then, pop a vase with some greenery and flowers on one stack, and a candle on the other.
I think this just looks more inviting than having the coffee table books sitting there on their own. But it all depends on what style you’re going for.
23. Modern Look
If your coffee table has a lower shelf, don’t forget to jazz it up too! Take the picture above as an example and stack the coffee table books.
With a black glass table and a mix of black and white books on the lower shelf, it’s all about that modern, sleek look.
Alright, let’s get back to the coffee table book ideas I mentioned earlier. I did a bit of browsing on Amazon, and let me tell you, I stumbled across some really nice ones! And they don’t even break the bank.
Whether you don’t have any yet or want to add some new ones to your collection (you can never have enough, right?)…
