26 of the Very Best Coffee Table Books of All Time

“One of my favorite coffee table books is ‘30,000 Years of Art’ because it’s such a bold and vibrant summary of history! The book itself is a work of art, with its super-thick, bold, pink and yellow hardcover, and the engaging descriptions of each featured piece are beautifully written. I like that it’s a smaller scaled (yet incredibly heavy) coffee table book, making it perfect for smaller accent furniture. But don’t be fooled; the fun color ensures it doesn’t get lost on larger coffee tables and shelves. It’s also a great conversation starter for guests, since it makes everyone want to peek inside.” —Designer Whitney Jones, founder of Whitney J Decor

Buy: “30,000 Years of Art : The Story of Human Creativity Across Time and Space,” $24.49 from Amazon

“There are few things you can find in a home as exquisite as de Gournay hand-painted wallcoverings, so I was quick to purchase this book when it came out. I keep it on my desk so I can easily reference it anytime I am seeking inspiration for a project.” —Designer Sterling McDavid, founder of Sterling McDavid Design

Buy: “de Gournay: Hand-Painted Interiors,”$56.17 from Amazon

“I found ‘Wallpaper, a History’ in a used bookstore in Berkeley, and it’s become one of my favorites. Learning the historical origins of the decorative items that we use in our trade deepens my appreciation for the history of design. For example, wallpaper originated from the middle class desire to decorate their spaces; without the financial resources for pricier items such as tapestries, they turned to wallpaper. It’s a beautiful coffee table book to have sitting decoratively on your table, and an even better book to pick up and read.” —Designer Clara Jung, founder and principal at Banner Day Interiors

Buy: “Wallpaper, a History,”$31.95 from Abe Books

“I love this book because it’s not only packed with inspirational images but also because it’s organized by aesthetic. I give it to clients and have them mark the rooms that speak to them — they’re usually surprised by which ‘category’ they fall into!” — Designer Hattie Collins, founder of Hattie Sparks Design

Buy: “S Is for Style: The Schumacher Book of Decoration,” $56.17 from Amazon

“The ‘Alexander McQueen’ coffee table book is a book that has literally sat on my coffee table for several years and for good reason. Fashion has always been a huge part of my life and continues to inspire and inform me creatively in the design of interiors. I need not to explain the mastery McQueen evoked into the world of fashion, and this little capsule of his creations exploring his artistry, theater, and designs has always inspired me looking to it for colors, textures, tones, and unique compositions. My idea of a fabulous evening is opening a bottle of wine, sitting back, and flipping through the pages of the magical world of (what was) McQueen’s brain!” —Designer Aleem Kassam, principal at Kalu Interiors

Buy: “Alexander McQueen,” $220.99 from Amazon

“I love being inspired by this book’s timelessness, the relationship between the architecture and the interiors, the cohesiveness, the simplicity, the scale, the forms, and the attention to detail. They are all things that I strive for in our interiors. As a perfectionist myself, I can truly see the immense attention to detail in Jean-Louis Deniot’s interiors. As he says, ‘I want to achieve a point of equilibrium where the materials, the scale, the colors, the proportions, the volume, light and shade, and a degree of contrast are in balance. I want the rooms to look alluring or calm during the day and to have mystery at night, a different mood. And I never want the family who lives there to have any idea how much work it was.’ I love everything about this quote. After all, many of our clients truly don’t recognize how much work goes into each and every project! I think the pure timelessness of the interiors makes the book something that will make it a forever read. His work does not focus on trends.” —Designer Gemma Parker, founder and principal at Gemma Parker Design

Buy: “Jean-Louis Deniot Interiors,” $44.49 from Amazon

“I have ‘Humans of New York’ currently on my coffee table and I love flipping through it and reading the stories. It helps inspire me because I think reading other peoples’ stories connects us all. Many of the people featured in the book have overcome a lot and it inspires me to work harder and keep a positive open mind in my life.” — Designer Amala Raj Swenson, principal and founder of Amala Raj Interiors

Buy: “Humans of New York,” $10.88 from Amazon.

“My current coffee table book was given to me by my late husband’s mother. The cover showcases a triumphant, smiling President Barack Obama. I must confess part of the book’s appeal is its size, color, and shape. The other attraction is what the AA community hoped the Obama presidency signified — an end to racial disharmony with the election of America’s first African American president. Now reflecting from the other side of that election, I’m still filled with a sense of optimism every time I glimpse the book cover. Emotions of awe are awakened as I am reminded to strive for creative solutions to combat common problems.” —Designer Charmaine Wynter, founder of Charmaine Wynter Interiors

Buy: “Barack Obama: Hope for the World,” $6.72 on Amazon

“The laid-back coastal homes in this book inspired me to purchase our own lake house and continue to inspire when it comes to decorating it. Each of the homes featured feels eclectic and casual — perfectly imperfect. The pages also showcase a lifestyle that’s a little but more carefree. I love the linen cover and the graphic black lettering on the spine. It goes anywhere and instantly adds a bit of cool to any interior.” —Designer Tiffany Leigh Piotrowski, principal and founder of Tiffany Leigh Design

Buy: “Surf Shacks Volume 2”, $57.09 from Amazon

“My favorite and go-to coffee table book is ‘Jungalow: Decorate Wild.’ Coffee table books in a way have become a form of self-care for me. With Jungalow, it takes me on a journey that allows me to explore global design through the art of storytelling and beautiful photography. I’m so inspired by the saturated color, culture, patterns, and texture this book explores. Literally every page is bursting with inspiration. I also love how Justina Blakeney shares so many usable tips and projects you can incorporate into you own home. Regardless of your design style, her tips can be translated to any style that makes your home unique and special to you.” —Design Instagrammer Nicole Reid

Buy: “Jungalow: Decorate Wild,” $20.00 on Amazon

“I purchased this book at a signing Wendy Goodman did at Doyle, a New York auction house, and to be honest, her lecture left me green with envy! As the title suggests, Wendy has managed to gain entry to the private homes of some of the most interesting people in the world. This book strikes the perfect balance between design inspiration and human interest, and as far as beautiful coffee table books go, how could you beat a cover photo of the Palazzo Brandolini?!” —Designer Tara McCauley

Buy: “May I Come In?: Discovering the World in Other People’s Houses,” $65.00 from Amazon

“Jan Shower’s ‘Glamorous Rooms’ was the first time a book actually affected my design aesthetic very profoundly. She is very edited but glamorous and knows how to make things traditional in just the right moments.” — Designer Blanche Garcia, principal at B.Garcia Designs

Buy: “Glamorous Rooms,” $46.99 from Amazon.

“The stacks on my coffee table are ever changing. Currently, I have Hunt Slonem’s ‘When Art Meets Design’ on full display. A gift from a friend that keeps on giving, this book not only anchors the coffee table with its beautiful mix of jewel tones but continues to pull you in as you flip through the captivating behind the scenes imagery of Slonem’s life and works. I always flip through to spark inspiration, as the unexpected mix of colors with the perfect mix of fun and sophistication always bring new ideas into play as I brainstorm for my projects.” — Designer Charli Hantman, owner of August Black Interior Design

Buy: “When Art Meets Design,” $278.50 on Amazon.