20 coffee table books worthy of your at-home library

There’s a real art to stocking and stacking one’s coffee table with a thoughtfully-selected library of coffee table books. This array of tomes defines who you are; it informs the world of your interests and speaks volumes about your personality.

Stacking a tableau of art, architecture and design books can make a room feel complete, especially for bibliophiles who feel secure in the knowledge that their books are close at-hand. Shelves and surfaces that feel naked, may well benefit from an artfully-arranged pile or at the very least, one striking tome to fill the void.

Coffee table books are not made to be hidden away and gather dust, in fact, their size and splendour is purposeful, these are books to display and arrange with care. These are books to show off.

So why not use your collection to refresh a room when things begin to feel stale? Consider putting your collection on rotation, let your interests that month (or week depending on how much time you have to rearrange) guide you. Select spines that sing out and demand attention or lay flat covers that deserve to sit as centrepieces. There are endless combinations to consider, especially if you’re already an avid collector of these oversize books.

For some there is simply nothing more exciting than a well-stocked coffee table and the chance to leaf through pages of inspirational and aspirational imagery. Do your guests (and yourself, of course) a favour and invest in a variety of topical and timeless tomes to display with pride.

Even if they don’t become a talking point at your next function, they’ll give you joy to look at.

Here are the best new coffee table books worth your time. Because what is a coffee table without coffee table books but a naked table?

This article was originally published on Vogue Living.