The best coffee table books are little works of art that reflect your passions and personal style. Part decor and part inspiration, they’re the finishing touches your favourite rooms need.

In Australia, you’ll find everything from glossy fashion tomes to moody photography collections and everything in between. There are travel guides for dreamers and nostalgists, architecture books design lovers and detailed gardening titles for all the green thumbs. There’s a perfect book out there for every personality and coffee table.

So how do you choose? Well, to help you narrow it down, we’ve pulled together some of the best types of coffee table books to shop right now, based on bestsellers, high ratings and the endless chatter amongst book lovers.

What to consider when buying coffee table books

When it comes to coffee table books, the best titles often don’t come cheap, so put some thought into your purchase before you add anything to your cart. Here are a few things to think about:

• Size and dimensions – Oversized books look luxe but could overwhelm small surfaces, so be diligent and check the dimensions of the book before you buy
• Match the vibe of your room – Is your room calm and dreamy or bolt and energised? For a safe choice, go for books that blend with the atmosphere of the room
• Don’t stick to one subject – A house full of fashion books is going to feel more like a boutique than a home, so mix up your collection with other genres like food, travel and pop culture.
• Do judge these books by their covers! Coffee table books should be treated like decor, with the spine and cover on full display. So pick something you want to look at every day
• Guest appeal matters – Books that invite flicking through are fabulous conversation starters!

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The Best Coffee Table Books To Buy Right Now

Ready to start stacking? We’ve sorted some of our team’s hands-down favourites into some of the most popular categories for you. Here they are!

Travel Books

We put this genre at the top of our list for a reason! Travel books whisk you away the moment you flip the cover, and many are almost impossible not to touch. Think stunning photography, dreamy destinations and unspoiled locations you won’t find on Instagram. They’re perfect for coffee tables because they offer quick, visual stories that keep people flicking, whether it’s the coffee culture in southern Italy or the effervescence of Rio.

Top Picks:

• Assouline Travel Series
  This collection of travel books combines luxury design with rich content, covering destinations from right across the globe. They have become some of the most popular collectible books by style enthusiasts and travellers alike.
• The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World by Lonely Planet
  This 408-page bestseller explores every country with stunning photos and quick facts. It’s a colourful and inspiring pick for travellers and has a place in almost any home.
• The Bucket List: 1000 Adventures Big & Small by Kath Stathers
  An enthralling guide to experiences across all continents, from natural wonders to cultural delights. Packed with stunning photos, it’s just the thing to inspire your next adventures.

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Fashion & Style

Fashion books bring flair and attitude to your table with juicy visuals, designer retrospectives and behind-the-scenes stories. They’re usually bound in beautiful covers, making them instant statement pieces for tables, shelves and consoles.

Top Picks:

• Tom Ford by Bridget Foley
  If you’re after a book that no one will miss, this is it! Tom Ford’s design work for both Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent reflects his impact on fashion. Big, bold and black, it’s a favourite for its style just as much as for its content.
• Vogue On Christian Dior by Charlotte Sinclair
  An insightful exploration of Christian Dior’s revolutionary designs and his impact on fashion, enriched with captivating images from the Vogue archives.
• Louise Vuitton Catwalk by Jo Ellison
  It’s the definitive chronicle of Louis Vuitton’s runway collections, showcasing two decades of fashion history with stunning catwalk photography. A must-have for fashion aficionados.

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Architecture & Home

These books are for design lovers and renovation daydreamers. They feature jaw-dropping homes, clever design ideas and expert insights on everything from layout to lighting. These books offer a great balance between imagery and tips, perfect for a few moments of page flipping.

Top Picks:

• The Art of Home by Shea McGee
  Interior designer Shea McGee offers a guide to creating stylish yet approachable spaces. It’s filled with practical tips and beautiful photography to inspire your home design journey.
• Architectural Digest at 100: A Century of Style
  Celebrating a century of design, this volume features the most stunning homes and interiors from Architectural Digest’s archives.
• Made for Living by Cat Chen
  Designer Amber Lewis shares her signature California-cool aesthetic, offering advice on layering textures, mixing patterns, and creating spaces that are both stylish and livable.

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Food & Drink

Not just for the kitchen, cookbooks and fabulous drink guides make incredible decor pieces when they’ve got the right cover. They’re especially handy in open-plan kitchens where living and dining blur together (which we’re big fans of).

Top Picks:

• Magnolia Table by Joanna Gaines
  A collection of comforting recipes from Joanna Gaines that blends family favourites and classic dishes, perfect for gatherings and everyday meals.
• Ottolenghi SIMPLE by Yotam Ottolenghi
  Over one million people can’t be wrong! Featuring loads of easy-to-make recipes with big flavours, Ottolenghi’s bestselling cookbook brings Middle Eastern-inspired dishes to your table in an achievable way.
• The World Atlas of Coffee by James Hoffmann
  An in-depth guide to coffee, covering its origins, brewing methods and global varieties. If you love coffee, your home needs this.

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Nature

Nature-themed coffee table books bring the outdoors in and offer a moment of calm in busy lives. Choose from plant tomes, epic hardbacks filled with sweeping landscapes or pages and pages of your favourite animal. These picks add earthy charm to your space and an appreciation for the beauty of nature.

Top Picks:

• Plantopedia by Lauren Camilleri and Sophia Kaplan
  This truly comprehensive guide to houseplants includes countless plants that are popular here in Australia. But best of all, it explains what they need to survive and thrive.
• Great Maps by Jerry Brotton
  An exploration of the world’s most significant maps, their historical context and cartographic beauty. Fabulous for history buffs, geography enthusiasts and travellers.
• Birds by Tim Flach
  You don’t have to be a bird lover to appreciate this. Renowned photographer Tim Flach captures the diversity and beauty of bird species through incredible imagery. This one will captivate all ages.

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FAQs

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Top image: Assouline

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What’s your all-time favourite coffee table book? Let us know in the comments!