The Best Coffee Table Books in Every Color

What to Buy + How to Style Them
Rebecca Atwood Living With Pattern

Valentino | Living with Color | Natural Curiosities | Flowers | Dream Décor | The Finer Things | Leaf Supply | Collected


Since my very first apartment in my 20s, I decided to invest in various coffee table books. First, they add color and texture to a room. Moreover, they can highlight your hobbies, interests, etc. Today, I wanted to share a round-up of the best coffee table books – separated by color.

After all, it’s fun to organize the books by hue within a space. There are also a variety of ways to style coffee table books. Beyond placing them on tables, shelves, fireplace mantels, and accent tables, I’ve learned a few tricks of the trade from Amelia on how to style them.

Crate Barrel Estelle Shelves

Styling Coffee Table Books Tips

Over the past few years, I’ve had the chance to learn home styling tips and tricks. Small hacks, if you will, that take your space from drab to glam. From working with Aimée Mazzenga during our recent photo shoots to collaborating with Amelia on the designs of our various spaces, I’ve gathered some fun tips that I wanted to share with you below:

Buy Used & Second Hand Books

Hard cover options can run you upwards of $55-$100 per book. Looking for an affordable solution? Stop by your nearest second hand store or Salvation Army. They have a bunch of reasonably priced coffee table books on sale.

Jennifer Lake The Last Bookstore Los Angeles

Shop Independent Sellers

Now, more than ever, independent book sellers need our support. Throughout this post, I’ve interspersed books from small shops where possible. Also, I created a Bookshop page for almost all the books featured in this post! If you aren’t already familiar, Bookshop.org is an amazing online bookstore who focuses on independent bookstores!

Jennifer Lake Zoom Background Lisbon Bookstore

Cover Books with Colorful + Decorative Papers

Another option? Wrap used books (or ones that you own) in colorful and decorative papers. This will give the space a cohesive look. Plus, it saves you a lot of money! I especially love the way that Katie Kime used this trick in her boutique in Austin. So cute and the perfect way to make use of the old books you have that might be in less than stellar condition. Also, a great idea for old textbooks!

Green Ruffle Wrap Dress

Turn the Books Around

One of my fave tips from Amelia is to simply turn your books around – especially if the covers don’t match the look and feel of a room. I love this quick tip that helps create a streamlined look.

Aimee Mazzenga Living Room
photo by Aimée Mazzenga

The Best Coffee Table Books

I love the way coffee table books offer you an escape from the world – especially during the pandemic. Open the pages of a travel book, and you’re immediately transported to the beaches of Ibiza or the murals of Portugal. Some of my personal faves include Lilly Pulitzer and LiketoKnow.it, which spark great memories!

I’ve curated the books below that will be sure to inspire and add beauty to your home decor and your bookshelves for many years to come.

White + Neutral

Perhaps the most popular coffee table books are white and neutral since they tend to blend into any space. Below, I’ve featured several of my favorite books to add crisp white and neutrals to a room.


Blue

Some of my absolute favorite coffee table books are in the blue category. Since our family room and kitchen are blue, we incorporated a lot of blue coffee table books into the space.


Yellow

Bright and cheerful, yellow books add a bold pop of color to your home. I especially love the way yellow adds warmth, and they especially compliment brass and gold accents.


Red

There’s something so special about the color red. It’s fierce, sexy, and yet subtle at the same time. These books will definitely spark the attention they deserve in your home!


Green

I absolutely love so many of the green books featured in the scroll. In fact, some of my favorite books are within this color scheme – especially this domino book. It’s SO pretty and looks amazing our living room.


Pink

Oh, how I love the color pink! I swear I could fill our entire home with wallpaper and paint in the color. Thankfully, Bob and Amelia would stop me, haha. There are so many phenomenal coffee table books in pink. I’ve curated some of my favorites below.


Orange

Orange you glad? How fun are these options below? They’ll brighten your home and add a dose of fun colors to any space. I always believe orange lifts your mood and spirit. I’m a fan!


Black

Classic and timeless, you can’t go wrong with a luxe black book. There are countless options on the market, but I rounded up a mix of both fashion, design, and travel books.


Purple

Purple is the ultimate regal and elegant color. I chose a mix of lilac and bold purple books to add to your collection.


Metallic

From rose gold to gold, silver to bronze, I love adding metallic accents in our home. Add a touch of sparkle and shine with these beautiful books below.


What Are the Best Coffee Table Books in Your Home?

What are some of your favorite coffee table books? Drop a comment below and let me know a few options that we should keep on our radar!

Jennifer Lake Family Room
photo by Aimée Mazzenga

Leave a comment

View All 2 Comments

  1. R

    I love these ideas! We don’t have a coffee table in our home currently, but I’ve been looking for books to have on our nightstand. I’ll have to check these out!

    Published 1.4.21 · Leave a Reply

Subscribe!

Sign up to receive Jenn's weekly newsletter, filled with exclusive content, sale alerts, and more behind the scenes charades!