21 Best Interior Design Coffee Table Books You Can Learn From

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Interior design coffee table books are stylish, practical, and a great way to learn how to decorate your home. They’re full of tips and tricks by some of the most talented designers.

As an interior design enthusiast and teacher, I LOVE learning about it too! While Pinterest and Instagram are great for inspiration, coffee table books are another fabulous resource.

Whenever a new one arrives, my husband looks at me cross-eyed and asks, “Do you REALLY need another one?” My answer is always a firm YES!!

These books are not only eye candy with beautiful photos of professionally designed spaces, but they also provide a wealth of knowledge. My favorites are by interior designers I follow and admire, showcasing their work, design philosophies, and best tips and tricks.

Coffee table books are timeless and a wonderful source of inspiration to add style to your home decor. They can be displayed on your coffee table, bookshelf, or bedside table.

If you’re looking for a great book to read and display this roundup is for you! Check them out and let me know your FAV!

This post is all about the best interior design coffee table books.

READ MORE>>> Home Decor Inspiration On Inspired Design Talk

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, I might make a small commission at no extra charge to you. Please read my full disclosure here. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Best Walmart & Amazon Coffee Table Books

First I’ll go through my coffee table book collection from Amazon and Walmart with my thoughts. Then I’ll share the interior design coffee table books on my wish list and why they look interesting.

Here they are in no particular order:

Related Post: How to Style Coffee Table Books: 9 Simple Styling Tips

Kelly Hoppen Coffee Table Book Collection

I’ve been a huge fan of Kelly Hoppen for years and have three of her most popular books. She is the designer who inspired the style of Cheryl Eisen of IMG, the top NYC real estate stager. If you do not follow her on Instagram, you’re missing out.

1. Kelly Hoppen: The Art of Interior Design

The Art of Interior Design by Kelly Hoppen is both a coffee table book with stunning images and an instructional guide with practical advice on finding your signature style.

She’s a London-based designer known for her East-meets-West aesthetic that blends luxury with simplicity. This book will guide you through the design process, from understanding key principles to decorating and furnishing a space.

It’s full of beautifully designed spaces and actionable tips, making it a great resource for design lovers and aspiring professionals. This book heavily influenced the neutral living room design in our home.

2. Kelly Hoppen Design Masterclass: How to Achieve the Home of Your Dreams

The book How to Achieve the Home of Your Dreams is a comprehensive guide to interior design with spaces in Kelly’s signature style. If you love neutral spaces with colors like ivory, white, cream, beige, taupe, gray, and black, you’ll love this book.

It’s full of practical advice, from establishing your vision and understanding spatial flow to selecting furniture and the essential design principles you need to know. It covers everything from creating a color palette, setting the mood, and adding the finishing touches that make a home look complete.

It also goes into how to create the ideal layout for your room, which goes back to what I always say about creating a floor plan before you buy any furniture.

For help measuring and creating your floor plan, download the free step-by-step detailed PDF guide in the description below. Trust me, you’ll avoid returns and save money in the long run.

3. Kelly Hoppen’s Essential Style Solutions for Every Home

If you buy ONLY one Kelly Hoppen book, Essential Style Solutions for Every Home the one I recommend. It’s small but mighty, packed with design secrets for everyone from young renters to seasoned homeowners.

It has the tools you need to create a beautiful and functional home. It’s packed with over 200 inspiring images and clear, actionable advice.

This book covers the fundamentals of style, including how to use color, texture, and lighting to take your home to the next level. There are even budgeting strategies and clever space-saving solutions to help you get Kelly Hoppen’s signature look for less.

The above design is an example of how to use the style of Kelly Hoppen in your living room makeover. By layering neutrals with metallics and textures you’ll create a warm inviting space in your home.

This design features sculptural furniture, contrasting colors, and varying heights for interest and balance. The round area rug defines the sitting arrangement and can be used to separate areas of an open floor plan.

I was obsessed with Candice Olson’s HGTV show Divine Design. It’s what inspired me to get my second degree in interior design! I learned so much from watching her show that I had to have one of her many books.

Below are the interior design coffe table books I own by HGTV Designers.

HGTV Interior Designer Coffee Table Books

4. Candice Olson on Design: Inspiration and Ideas for Your Home

In Candice Olson on Design, the Canadian designer shares her philosophy for creating functional and beautiful living spaces. It’s full of before-and-after transformations that highlight her talent for turning rooms into stylish and practical havens.

She emphasizes the importance of understanding how you live in your space and shares design tips and tricks to achieve it. Whether you’re revamping your kitchen, refreshing your bedroom, or tackling your basement, this inspirational guide provides a roadmap for creating a home that reflects your tastes and lifestyle.

This book was published in 2006, so some of the ideas may seem dated, but design is cyclical, meaning EVERYTHING comes back around.

Don’t copy the designs exactly instead use the details and concepts as a reference to pull into your design. You’ll create a unique space that’s classic and timeless while being updated and modern.

5. Emily Henderson- The New Design Rules: How to Decorate and Renovate, from Start to Finish

Emily Henderson is an OG blogger who also had an HGTV show “Secrets From A Stylist.” In The New Design Rules, you’ll be inspired to create a personalized and beautiful home.

She shares actionable design principles that’ll help you go through the process with confidence. This book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to transform their home.

If you are about to tackle a home renovation, this book will be super helpful and is the one you want to get.

6. Emily Henderson- Styled: Secrets for Arranging Rooms, from Tabletops to Bookshelves

Yup, I have both of Emily Henderson’s books! The first book goes into the foundation of creating a home you love, and the coffee table book Styled goes into making it pretty.

It’ll show you how to level up your home with the power of styling, which is her specialty. This book focuses on the quick tweaks that make a big impact instead of time-consuming decorating projects.

She shares her ten-step method to styling any room, from decluttering and repurposing treasured items to arranging eye-catching vignettes on any surface. It’s full of over 1,000 inspiring ideas from real homes.

You’ll be empowered to see the potential of your space and create a home that reflects your unique personality without breaking the bank. Her books are wonderful resources to add to your design collection, and they’ll look pretty too.

7. Vern Yip’s Design Wise: Your Smart Guide to a Beautiful Home

You may be familiar with designer Vern Yip from his appearances on HGTV’s “Trading Spaces” and “Deserving Design.” In his go-to resource Design Wise, you’ll learn the secret to creating a home with the perfect balance of beauty and function.

It’s full of design principles and practical tips, from the “right” height to hang artwork to the ideal rug size for any room. This book is full of inspiration that will give you the confidence to create a home that reflects your unique style and needs.

If you’re looking for a design guide with standard measurements for any room, this book is the one you want!

Luxury Coffee Table Books

The next two coffe table books are full of luxurious images and inspiration for your home. Whether you’re looking for colorful or white coffee table books these cover both.

8. Shea McGee- Art of Home: A Designer Guide to Creating an Elevated yet Approachable Home

Shea McGee is one to follow on Instagram, and her design book is no different. The talented designer is the creative genius behind Studio McGee and the star of Netflix’s “Dream Home Makeover.”

She has a collection with Target and her own high-end furniture site with fabulous pieces.

In her book Art of Home, she shares her secrets to transforming every room in your home. She’s known for her warm and inviting aesthetic that blends comfort with sophistication.

This book has step-by-step instructions, stunning visuals of her design projects, and personal stories. Whether you’re looking for a design refresh or a complete overhaul, this book will give you the tools and inspiration to create a space that’s both stylish and livable.

My favorite part is the style guide at the back that has everything from pattern mixing, pillow styling, mixing metals, coffee table styling, hanging artwork, and so much more.

She even gives you a list of her tried-and-true paint colors that she’s used in multiple design projects, which is fabulous. This is a great book that’s completely up to date, meaning the inspiration will add an updated look to any room in your home.

9. Kelly Wearstler: Evocative Style

If you’re looking to add color, personality, and style to your home, this coffee table book is for you. Kelly Wearstler is known for pushing the limits and knowing when to break the rules.

She’s a master at all things interior design, and this book is a staple for anyone looking to make a bold statement. Evocative Style is her first book in ten years, and it does not disappoint.

Kelly is best known for her signature “East meets West” style that blends old-world Hollywood glamour with modern touches. This book is full of images of her latest residential and commercial designs.

She shares her process and technique for combining layers of bold textures, patterns, rich colors, and luxe materials. It’ll give you ideas and inspiration to create functional and inviting spaces.

This is another book that you’re not going to copy the spaces exactly, but it’s full of ideas for how to create a gallery wall, creative furniture arrangements, how to mix traditional architecture with modern furniture, layered lighting ideas, and so much more.

Related Post: How To Choose A Coffee Table For Your Living Room

Decor Books For Coffee Table

The next 4 interior design coffee table books are not as mainstream as the others meaning you may not have heard of these interior designers.

10. Design Her by Julianne Taylor

The Design Her coffee table book celebrates women making waves in the home decor industry. It has stunning visuals with personal stories of 35 female entrepreneurs who share the ups and downs of building their businesses with valuable advice for aspiring designers.

What I love about this book is the spaces are full of color, pattern, and a mix of design styles. It’s eye candy that’ll give you ideas and inspiration to add to your home.

You probably won’t find it new but you can get it used on Amazon for under $7. I’ll put the link to the shop in the description so you can check it out.

11. Rooms To Inspire by Anne Kelly

The design book Rooms To Inspire features the work of twelve top US interior designers. It has a variety of interiordesign styles from traditional to contemporary modern and Hollywood regency with practical advice on how to create stylish and comfortable living spaces.

I love it because it goes into the design philosophy and features the homes of my favorite interior designers like Kelly Wearstler and Jonathan Adler. This is a classic that will never go out of style in my opinion.

12. Interiors by Design-  Advice and Inspiration from the Professionals

The Interiors by Design coffee table book is a great resource to learn about interior design. It covers topics like:

• How to develop a design plan
• How to choose furniture and finishes
• How to use color and light
• How to accessorize your home

It has interviews with some of the world’s leading interior designers who share their trade secrets. This book is another classic that you’ll keep coming back to for ideas and inspiration.

It also has hand-drawn perspective sketches that take me back to design school.

13. Sandra Nunnerley Interiors

The Interiors by Sandra Nunnerley book features stunning design projects by Sandra Nunnerley from around the world. She shares and explains her design philosophy which includes: Serenity, Individuality, Refinement, and Glamour.

The spaces are influenced by her travels and her passion for creating timeless and sophisticated interiors. It has ideas and inspiration to make your home look expensive and elevated. 

The 13 books (pictured above) I have and highly recommend. Each one serves a different purpose so do your own research to decide the best one. As your space and style evolve so will your needs. 

Wish List: Interior Design Coffee Table Books

Now for the books, I’m currently eyeing…but shhhhh do not tell my husband.

14. Made for Living: Collected Interiors for All Sorts of Styles by Amber Lewis

This is one of my design besties in my head. I’ve been following her on Instagram for years and love her laid-back California cool style. I’ve taken the book Made for Living out from the library but have yet to add it to my collection.

It’s a design guide to show you how to create a comfortable and personal home. It has over 250 gorgeous spaces in her signature style with ideas and inspiration for every room. There’s practical advice on everything from choosing the perfect paint color to mastering the art of layering patterns and textures. 

15. Call It Home: The Details That Matter by Amber Lewis

Call It Home is her Amber’s second book where she shares her secrets for creating beautiful and inviting homes. She guides you through the design process with tips for choosing fabrics, paints, finishes, and more. 

It showcases eight of her design projects with her thought process, personal stories of the challenges faced, and materials used. This one is interesting because I love to hear what went on behind the scenes of the finished design.

Aside from her two design books Amber Lewis also has a high-end furniture store and website where you can shop to get her look in your home. The link is in the description so you can check it out.

16. Home Therapy: Interior Design for Increasing Happiness, Boosting Confidence, and Creating Calm: An Interior Design Book by Anita Yokota

I learned about Anita Yokota when I saw her bedroom design at the Apartment Therapy pop-up in Brooklyn NY. It was full of inspiration and the lastet design trends.

Yokota is a former therapist turned designer who uses that experience to show how our surroundings can significantly impact our happiness and confidence. Her “Home Therapy” method goes beyond trends, guiding you to create a home that encourages self-care and positive energy. 

It’s a unique approach to interior design that prioritizes your mental well-being. 

If your home environment feels more draining than blissful this book is what you need. It’s a unique approach to interior design that prioritizes your mental well-being. Since I’m all about mindfulness and making my home a sanctuary this one is high on my wish list.

17. Live Beautiful by Athena Calderone

This book is by one of my favorite bloggers and design experts Athena Calderone of the EyeSwoon. 

Here’s the description: Live Beautiful is full of inspiration, ideas, and tips to create beautiful interiors.

Athena is known for her use of layered textures, patterns, collected pieces, and customized vignettes in her designs. The pages of this book are full of tips to bring an elevated look into your living space.

She shares her home and those of world of renowned interior designers, fashion designers, and tastemakers along with their creative process and stories behind their design choices.

The book goes beyond mere aesthetics, serving as a guide to help you translate these concepts into your own home. If you follow Athena and Eye Swoon chances are you either have this book or are interested in it too.

18. The Things That Matter by Nate Berkus

This is another designer who created a unique space at the apartment therapy popup. The description says The Things That Matter by Nate Berkus is a design memoir that brings you into his world with personal stories that shaped his design philosophy and practical advice for creating a meaningful home. 

It showcases stunning interiors with details of how the objects we surround ourselves with tell the story of our lives. Nate encourages readers to create rooms that reflect their unique personalities and things they truly cherish.

19. Diane Keaton- The House that Pinterest Built

If you’re a Pinterest lover like me I’m sure you can relate to the title of this book. Diane Keaton built her home from the ground up and her book documents the process she went through from idea to creation.

In The House that Pinterest Built she shares every space she designed in her home from the living room, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and more! It’s full of beautiful photography and inspiration that’ll help you design a home you love too!

20. Lee Mayer- Design the Home You Love: Practical Styling Advice to Make the Most of Your Space

Lee Mayer founded the eDesign company Havenly which is still going strong after many have failed so I’m interested in hearing about her design philosophy.

Her book Design the Home You Love is supposed to be a guide that breaks down the design process into manageable steps, empowering you to create a space that reflects your personality and maximizes functionality. It’s packed with practical advice and budget-conscious tips for everything from selecting furniture to adding stylish touches to a room.

21. Love Affairs with Houses by Bunny Williams

The book Love Affairs with Houses offers a glimpse into Bunny Williams’ design philosophy, which is known for its timeless elegance and ability to blend classic and contemporary styles.

It highlights fifteen homes she’s decorated over her career and the special bond she developed with each. She’s a master at creating comfortable and inviting spaces that reflect the personalities of her clients. 

This one looks interesting because I love learning how other designers think and go through the process. It opens my eyes to see things differently and inspires new ideas.

Those are all the coffee table books I have in my collection and the ones I may be buying in the future. 

That’s A Wrap!

The moral of the story is there are so many great books to help you learn interior design. At this point, you’re either inspired or completely overwhelmed by all the choices. If you fall into the second camp… Remember good design takes time so don’t rush the process! 

For help and guidance to make your home look like you hired a designer sign up for Designer Home 101 by clicking the link in the description. In the easy-to-follow course, you’ll learn to transform your home into a HAPPY place that reflects your unique style and personality. No experience is necessary – you’ll be guided every step of the way, from finding your style to adding the finishing touches that make a room feel complete.

Bonus: Fashion Coffee Table Books

FAQ: Interior Design Coffee Table Books

What makes a good coffee table book?

A good coffee table book is both interesting and stylish. The subject matter and topic can be anything that inspires you but it should complement your decor as well.

If you’re finding it hard to coordinate you can always just cover the books with white craft paper. If you have only one that sticks out just cover that one and leave the rest.

Are coffee table books meant to be read?

In my opinion, people should read interior design coffee table books, but I believe that 99% of individuals never actually do so. Some books focus on visuals, inviting the reader to engage with the images on their own terms, not just through text.

How do I arrange my coffee table book?

The best way to arrange interior design coffee table books is by size. They should go from large at the bottom to smaller at the top.

If you have two of the same color alternating them will make the arrangement more interesting. You should also use an odd-numbered grouping such as 3 or 5 books in a stack.

If your books are thick… less is more! In that case, choose the 3 you love and call it a day.

Do coffee table books have to match?

Interior Design coffee table books come in a variety of colors and sizes. While they do not have to match they should complement one another and have a similar color scheme.

If you have a neutral color scheme you can add books that have a similar vibe. For a fun twist, you can add a pop of color to your coffee table books.

Should coffee table books be the same size?

Interior Design coffee table books don’t have to be the same size but they should be in proportion to each other. Common sizes are 9.28 x 1.1 x 12.5, 10.2 x 1.2 x 11.85, and 9.28 x 1.1 x 12.5 inches.

Loved showing off my coffee table collection! Now it’s your turn to create something inspiring.

This post is all about the best interior design coffee table books.

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Last Updated on August 8, 2024 by Nicole DelaCruz