Books as decoration – what makes a book a coffee table book?
Coffee table books are oversized, visually striking books designed to be displayed on coffee tables, bookshelves, or any prominent surface. They feature lavish images, captivating illustrations, and engaging content on various subjects, including art, photography, fashion, travel, design, and more, made for casual flipping through rather than in-depth reading. They are eye-catching and meant for display. While they may cover a range of topics, the common thread is their emphasis on aesthetics and the ability to spark conversation. Historically called ‘nonbooks,’ ‘parlor books,’ and ‘illustrative books,” the term “coffee table book” reportedly made its first appearance in a 1961 issue of Arts Magazine, although they existed more than a hundred years before the now commonplace term was put into play.
And now, as our lives are increasingly digitized and ephemeral, a solid, heavy pronouncement of identity and interest in paper and pictures is more important than ever. Bolder than books on a bookshelf, you can’t help but notice items laid out on a table as if recently browsed.
Coffee table books are all about expressing style and individuality. In interior design, coffee table books are the unsung heroes of décor. Not only do they provide a captivating visual feast, but they also offer a glimpse into your personality and interests. A carefully selected coffee table book can turn your living room into a stylish and conversation-starting haven, enhancing the visual appeal of a space and providing inspiration and entertainment for guests and residents alike. In this blog, we will explore the best coffee table books that are aesthetically pleasing and intellectually enriching.
Things to consider when buying coffee table books
Like any collectible book, one of the most significant considerations is condition. The heaviness of these items often calls for additional shipping and extra care in packaging. These books are expensive to produce, and often, publishers will only print limited copies, making some out-of-print titles highly sought after and valued. The best-selling coffee table book ever was Sex by Madonna, selling more than 1.5 million copies (there were 1 million copies in the initial print run). Still, most coffee table books don’t print anywhere close to that number of copies. Less popular or outdated titles, such as those about cities and countries in the travel category, can be found at library sales and thrift stores for inexpensive amounts but are still highly treasured by the purchaser.
Who do coffee table books make the perfect gift for?
Combining gorgeous looks and inherent wisdom, coffee table books are an ideal present for partners, parents, siblings, aunts and uncles, bosses, employees, kids, grandparents, friends, and enemies. Below are some common areas of interest and popular titles to get you started or continue your exquisite collection.
Pop Culture
Pop culture is one of the most fun and popular coffee table book genres. From Barbie to butts, tattoos, haircuts, and beards, you can find a coffee table book for any whim of your fancy. Packed with glossy images and fascinating anecdotes, these books are a conversation starter and a delightful journey through nostalgic moments that have shaped our cultural landscape.
Madonna’s Sex sold over 150,000 copies on the day of its release on Oct. 21, 1992, and topped The New York Times Best Seller list for three consecutive weeks. In only a few days, more than 1.5 million copies were sold worldwide, becoming the best-selling coffee table book ever.
Film enthusiasts and Wes Anderson fans will appreciate The Wes Anderson Collection (2013) by Matt Zoller Seitz, published by Abrams Books. This book delves deep into the director’s creative process, with interviews, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and stunning visuals from his films from Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, The Darjeeling Limited, Fantastic Mr. Fox, and Moonrise Kingdom.
Photography
Photography is the perfect subject for coffee table books, and many famous photographers showcase their art in this medium.
Helmut Newton’s SUMO (1999) was the first release in Taschen’s legendary SUMO series, named for their size. The book is 20” x 28” inches and weighs 66 pounds; a custom stand is made specifically for the book. Other Taschen SUMO editions include Annie Leibovitz and David Hockney.
Peter Beard was famous for his photographs of African wildlife, starting with The End of the Game in 1965. Another beautiful edition by Beard is Zara’s Tales: Perilous Escapades in Equatorial Africa.
Vivian Maier’s work as a street photographer remained undiscovered for decades, but her talent is undeniable. Vivian Maier: Street Photographer is a collection of her extraordinary photographs, capturing the beauty of everyday life. This book is a testament to the power of hidden artistic gems.
Fashion
Many of the most captivating photography books are those dealing with fashion – from the runways of Paris to the streets of Tokyo. Showcasing the evolution of fashion through stunning visuals, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and the iconic personalities who shape the industry – it’s not just a book; it’s a front-row seat to the runway of style.
Vanity Fair 100 Years: From the Jazz Age to Our Age by Graydon Carter is a time capsule that showcases a century of glamour and cultural evolution. From iconic celebrity portraits to captivating feature articles, this book is a portal into the magazine’s rich history, offering a glimpse of the past that will inspire and delight guests.
For fashion enthusiasts and admirers of the iconic Chanel brand, Chanel: Collections and Creations is a must-have. This book beautifully showcases the fashion house’s rich history, highlighting the genius of Coco Chanel through her timeless creations and their evolution.
Many other favorite designers have books as well, like Ralph Lauren, In His Own Fashion (2019 Abrams Books) and A Way of Living (2023 Rizzoli) and Tom Ford. Ford helped transform Gucci into a well-known luxury brand, and this book showcases the transformation and essential role he played in fashion.
Mihaela Noroc’s The Atlas of Beauty is a photographic masterpiece celebrating the diversity of women around the world. Through captivating portraits and personal stories, Noroc’s work conveys the idea that beauty knows no boundaries. It’s a moving and visually stunning book that promotes inclusivity and appreciation for different cultures.
Peter Lindbergh was a German fashion photographer. His cover for Vogue in 1989, featuring Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Tatjana Patitz, Cindy Crawford, and Christy Turlington, is said to have launched the era of the SuperModel. Lindbergh’s first book was 10 Women, which came out in 1996, and sold over 100,00 copies. Another essential is Peter Lindbergh: On Fashion Photography.
Art and Artists
Whether you’re an art connoisseur or a casual admirer, coffee table books about art and artists will invite you to stroll through the galleries of renowned museums and explore the brilliant minds who shaped the course of art history. Elevate your coffee table into a personal exhibition space, where every turn of the page invites you to immerse yourself in the boundless beauty of human creativity.
Ernest Gombrich’s The Story of Art, first published in 1950, has sold 8 million copies. For art lovers, The Art Book by Phaidon is a must-have. This comprehensive guide features one thousand of the world’s most influential artists, with high-quality images of one of their iconic works. It’s an art lover’s dream, sparking conversations and insights into the creative world.
Pop artist Andy Warhol is featured in multiple coffee table books, from the affordable Taschen edition Andy Warhol, 1928-1987, part of the Basic Art Series_ to Assouline’s Andy Warhol: The Impossible Collection, a handcrafted limited edition in a luxury clamshell case.
Frida Kahlo is also featured in an affordable Taschen edition.
Another popular art coffee table book is The Louvre: All the Paintings by Vincent Pomarède. This book compiles every painting in the Louvre’s collection, with high-resolution images and detailed descriptions. It’s like having a mini Louvre at your fingertips.
More complicated to classify, but we’re throwing it in the art category, the Codex Seraphinianus, created by Italian artist Luigi Serafini in 1981, is a cryptic and visually stunning encyclopedia of an imaginary world. With invented language and surreal illustrations, the book explores flora, fauna, technology, and culture in a dreamlike manner. Its enigmatic nature has made it a cult classic, inviting endless interpretations and speculation about its meaning, or if it has one at all. The Codex Seraphinianus remains a captivating and mystifying work that sparks curiosity and wonder.
Architecture
From iconic skyscrapers to historic landmarks, coffee table books on architecture invite you to explore the stories behind the buildings that define our landscapes. Celebrate construction’s artistry and its impact on our lives with these awe-inspiring picks.
Architectural Digest at 100: A Century of Style (2019) includes stunning images from the magazine’s history, including personal spaces of celebrities and the work of top designers and architects.
World Architecture: The Masterworks by Will Pryce (2008, 2012) published by Thames & Hudson, includes 105 buildings in 24 countries and follows the architectural history of the world’s masterworks.
Music
From jazz to rock, hip-hop to classical, the stories of legendary artists and the artistry of album art come to life in a crescendo of visual delight with gorgeous illustrated books about music. Whether it’s concert photography, album covers, iconic faces, or explorations of instruments and genres, there is a rich symphony of options to fill your space with rhythm and melody captured in a book.
Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop explores four decades of Hip-Hop’s effect on fashion, politics, race relations, and culture.
Polling the industry’s most celebrated artists, producers, executives, and journalists, Rolling Stone: The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time is a comprehensive list first published in 2005, updated in 2012, and again in 2022 – although many classic hits stayed the same. The book includes hundreds of images and lots of information for music lovers.
Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics, cause who doesn’t love Dolly?
Sports
Sports enthusiasts will love a captivating book featuring their favorite game or athlete.
Greatest of All Time: A Tribute to Muhammad Ali, published by Taschen, is the GOAT of coffee table books. Described as “the biggest, heaviest, most radiant thing ever printed in the history of civilization,” The Collector’s Edition weighs over 75 pounds. It is bound by the official bindery of the Vatican in pink leather. Muhammad Ali and Jeff Koons signed each of the 9,000 copies. There is also a sized-down version that is much more affordable and only 15 pounds.
For the baseball enthusiast, Ballparks: A Journey Through the Fields of the Past, Present, and Future by Eric Enders provides a history of every park in the Major Leagues, accompanied by photographs, stats, stories, and even a tear-out list of ballparks to visit.
The Mamba Mentality: How I Play (2018) is a testament to the legacy Kobe Bryant wanted to leave behind. Bryant’s detailed account of how he trained physically and mentally to become a great basketball player, accompanied by stunning photos of his career, makes this a perfect shot of inspiration for any player or NBA fan.
The style and culture of tennis are showcased in the fashionable book The Stylish Life: Tennis (2015). Featuring chic players and fancy courts, this book is meant to be seen.
Taschen’s first limited edition of 1000 signed copies of surfer Leroy Grannis’ book, Leroy Grannis: Surf Photography of the 1960s and 1970s, published in 2006, sold out. You can still find a few on the market, but there’s also a more affordable reprint.
Cars
If classic cars are more your style, plenty of visually stunning coffee table books celebrate the sleek lines, powerful engines, and timeless allure of cars. Immerse yourself in automotive design, history, and innovation with these captivating titles that are as much a feast for the eyes as they are for the mind. You can find titles on specific favorite vehicles like Rolls-Royce or Ferrari or general books on the design and passion of automobiles. Below are a few favorites.
100 Cars That Changed the World: The Designs, Engines, and Technologies That Drive Our Imaginations
Muscle & Chrome: Classic American Cars
A Man and His Car: Iconic Cars and Stories from the Men Who Love Them
Holy Halls: The Secret Car Collection of Mercedes Benz
Food and Drink
For those who favor food and drink over bats and balls, these BIBLIO picks are just as varied and appetizing. Wine and cocktail enthusiasts can find inspiration in our posts ‘Best Books About Wine’ and ‘Classic Cocktail Books that Dazzle the Eyes.’
The World Atlas of Coffee is a visually pleasing and informative book for the coffee connoisseur. James Hoffmann takes readers on a journey through the world’s coffee-growing regions, offering insights into the history, culture, and science of coffee production. The beautiful illustrations make it a perfect fit for your coffee table.
Where Chef’s Eat: A Guide to Chef’s Favorite Restaurants, published by Phaidon, is an excellent pick for foodies on the go. Coined as “The Ultimate Insiders Guide,” three editions of the book, the last one published in 2018, has thousands of recommendations on restaurants around the world from hundreds of the best chefs.
For those who prefer their meals at home – Flavor Thesaurus: A Compendium of Pairings, Recipes, and Ideas for the Creative Cook offers inspiration for the cook who has everything.
Nature
If getting outside tickles your fancy, the nature photography and exploration offered in coffee table books will not disappoint.
Often referred to as the first ‘coffee-table’ book, In Wilderness is the Preservation of the World pairs Eliot Porter’s photography with Henry David Thoreau’s words. First published by the Sierra Club in 1962 to bring public consciousness to environmental causes, the work still resonates in both words and images today.
The Art and Science of Ernst Haeckel, published in 2017 by Taschen, celebrates the scientific, artistic, and environmental importance of the German-born naturalist and artist Ernest Haeckel. His detailed drawings explored the science of living things and the theory of evolution.
National Geographic is renowned for its breathtaking photography. Two key volumes, National Geographic: The Photographs and Rarely Seen, are sure bets for nature enthusiasts. National Geographic: The Photographs compiles the most powerful and awe-inspiring images from the magazine’s extensive history. It’s an immersive journey into diverse cultures, wildlife, and landscapes. Rarely See takes readers on a visual journey through some of the world’s most extraordinary and rarely witnessed natural wonders and human creations.
Travel
Nothing is better captured in a gorgeous photograph than unique places to visit. Even if you never leave your house, a coffee table book can make you feel like you’ve been to far-off places and inspire you to start planning an epic trip of your own. Here is a little list of excellent books to begin your journey.
The Bucket List: 1000 Adventures Big & Small (2017) is the perfect book for both globe-trotters and armchair travelers. It is filled with recommendations for experiencing cultures, the natural world, culinary delights across the planet, and over 300 photographs to illustrate the wonder of it all. There are also companion books The Bucket List Wild, The Family Bucket List, and The Bucket List North America.
Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York is a photographic treasure that captures the diverse and fascinating tapestry of New York City’s inhabitants. Stunning portraits and heartwarming stories engage visitors with their intimate look into the lives of strangers and the unique connections that bind humanity.
Los Angeles: Portrait of a City is part of Tashen’s ‘Portrait of a City’ series that covered Berlin, Los Angeles, Paris, London, New York, Vienna, Rome, San Francisco,
Nashville: Scenes from the New American South with words by Ann Patchett and photographs by Heidi Ross; this book is excellent for fans of Patchett’s work or those interested in Southern cities and country music.
And the quintessential travel book – an Atlas of the World, is a perfect present for any age. National Geographic and Oxford both have gorgeous in-depth editions. Or choose a Family Reference Atlas of the World for a more affordable pick for children.
Books
If nothing else suits their fancy, books about books are always a great bet.
Bibliophile – An Illustrated Miscellany by Jane Mount has been a popular gift book since its release in 2018 by Chronicle Books.
Collectors can live the book dream through Bibliostyle: How We Live at Home with Books by Nina Freudenberger and Sadie Stein, with photographs by Shade Degges featuring inspiring collections from around the world.
Do You Read Me?: Bookstores Around the World (2020) features beautiful, successful, and innovative bookshops across different cultures and countries – destinations for those seeking engagement and knowledge.
Along the same vein – Bookstores: A Celebration of Independent Booksellers (2021) by Horst A. Friedrichs and Stuart Husband also takes readers on a photographic journey across the world through the book trade.
Popular Publishers of Coffee Table Books
Founded in Vienna in 1923, Phaidon was one of the first publishers of large art books when they released large-format publications of Van Gogh, Botticelli and French Impressionists in 1937.
Assouline, founded in Paris in 1994, is “the first luxury brand on culture.”
Taschen started publishing accessible and eclectic books in 1980. They also have a popular collection of risque books in their “body parts series.”
Rizzoli New York became a publishing operation from the Rizzoli Bookstore, which started on Fifth Avenue in New York in 1964. It focuses on fashion, interior design, culinary, art, architecture, and photography on the high end, like its Fifth Avenue neighbors Tiffany’s, Saks, and Cartier.
gestalten was established in Berlin in the 1990s, focusing on graphic design. Since then, the company has expanded to cover design and art themes and books about architecture, food culture, travel, motorbikes, and bicycles.
The perfect present – for a loved one or yourself!
Incorporating these coffee table books into your living space will elevate your décor and provide endless inspiration and conversation starters for your guests. So, whether you’re an art lover, a travel enthusiast, a history buff, or just someone who appreciates stunning visuals, there’s a coffee table book perfect for your home. Make a statement and infuse your living room with style and substance by choosing one or more of these incredible coffee table books.
Need More? Living With Books: 10 Books on Biblio Style
Resources:
Coffee Table Books: Their Origin, Precursors, and Rise to Popularity
When Did We All Become Obsessed with Coffee Table Books?
Amy C. Manikowski is a writer living in Asheville, NC.
