Best-Looking Coffee Table Books per Designers

A collection of stunning photos of past projects, Eight Homes is essentially a portfolio from the mother-son team, Clements Design. “I love the elevated look of the book’s exterior, but the contents are even more stunning,” says Lauren Sullivan of Well x Design, a Tennessee-based interior design company. ”The book showcases eight residences throughout the book that are ultra-luxurious but never pretentious. Their use of natural materials, subtle colors, and abundant textures make each pared-down room feel incredibly warm and cozy.”

If you consider yourself an Anglophile (or lover of all things English), New English Interiors is the perfect addition to your coffee table collection. The book celebrates maximalism and eccentricity by showcasing rooms layered in different textures and patterns. “New English Interiors is a close look at 22 insanely beautiful homes of some of England’s leading creatives—from interior designers to antique dealers and artists,” says Sullivan. “Filled with plenty of layers, color, and pattern, I especially love that these interiors are ever-evolving and give permission to never truly “finish” a space.”

If collecting passport stamps is your favorite pastime, Assoline’s line of travel photography books will make a perfect addition to the rest of your travel souvenirs. You can adorn your coffee table with a book from a beloved vacation spot or a personal bucket list destination. The books offer vibrant photos of popular destinations around the world, featuring storytelling from locals. “I love destination travel books from places I have traveled to or would like to travel to,” says Shelby Van Daley of Daley Home, a Texas-based interior design company. “Some of my favorite Assouline books include Aspen Style, Lake Como, and Mexico City.”

If you’re looking for a book that inspires timeless style, Alyssa Kapito Interiors is filled with sleek, contemporary designs that exude quiet luxury. The book includes ten home projects, each featuring warm neutrals and natural fabrics that will stand the test of time. “Alyssa’s work combines elegance with warmth, showcasing her ability to blend textures, colors, and architectural details,” says Meghan Sharp, who runs the Atlanta-based design studio within Serenbe, Mister + Mrs. Sharp, with her husband, Patrick Sharp. “This book is a must-have for anyone who loves sophisticated interiors with a comfortable, lived-in feel.”

Compiled by June Reese, the principal interior designer and co-founder of House of June Interiors, Iconic Home includes a dazzling display of photos, personal stories, and design insights from 50 of the most well-known Black designers. The book is both inspirational and provides design ideas for those wanting to transform their homes. “This is one of my favorite books because it highlights Black Designers and brings their projects into the spotlight,” says Dominique Calhoun, Philadelphia interior designer and CEO of Remix Living. “The book gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most iconic Black designers in the industry.”

Gray Malin, a Texas-born photographer, built a career from taking stunning aerial shots of beaches, but some of his other well-known photography includes exotic animals and far-flung locales. In The Essential Collection, Malin offers readers over 300 of his best photos, some of which are previously unreleased. The book also includes photos captured on all seven continents and a backstory on his favorite shoots. “Gray Malin’s book celebrates his work and features hundreds of his beloved images from his most iconic shoots,” Calhoun says.

You don’t need to empty your bank account to design a beautiful home. This is the message behind Style: The Art of Creating a Beautiful Home, which shows readers how to utilize their personal style to create a space they love. “This book shows you how to update your living space with things you currently own and love,” Calhoun explains. “While designing can be expensive, this book shows you how to use things you have to create a beautiful design.”

Some of life’s greatest moments are in the everyday, seemingly mundane daily tasks and routines, which are portrayed in Black Archives: A Photographic Celebration of Black Life. Compiled by visual artist Renata Cherlise, the book contains more than 300 images of church and school functions, family vacations, and reunions. “The photos in this book unfold to tell the story of so many Black cultural experiences,” says Antoinette Arington, founder of Haume, a Los Angeles-based lifestyle company. “It’s an intimate look at life like so many of our generations have lived it, rooted in tradition, family history, and joy.”

Founded in 1898, Gracie Wallpaper is a sixth-generation family-owned company, and its wallpaper has adorned The White House and some of America’s most notable homes. The book tells the company’s legacy while showcasing some stunning rooms featuring the custom wallpaper. “I am completely enamored with Gracie’s new book,” says Janine Carendi MacMurray, part of the New York-based residential design company Area Interior Design. “It’s beautiful, and the details of the cover image are also printed on all six sides of the book (including on the edge of the pages), which makes it truly lovely to work with on a coffee table.”

Showcasing the life of German artist Joseph Albers and his partner Anni, a textile artist and printmaker, the book offers up an intimate portrait of the couple. The book features more than 750 photos, essays, and documents that tell the story of the remarkable artistic duo, who are considered trailblazers in the world of modern art and design. “This is another of my favorites,” MacMurray says. “I love the subjects and their art, but I also love the colorful cover. The book stacks so well on a coffee table and pulls the colors of other books.”