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There are some pieces of decor that are just essential to a place to give it that cool-girl aesthetic I know we’re all going for. And sure, this can be photos on the wall, a really cool bar cart, or even a statement coffee table. But what’s really going to tie the whole thing together is putting a huge, really niche coffee table book on that coffee table.
You can’t just have any old book on your coffee table. This isn’t just a piece of decoration — it’s a conversation starter, a glimpse into how cool you are, the thing that’s going to make your guests leave your place saying, “Wow, now that person has got it all together.” There’s an art to picking the perfect freakishly huge book to put in the middle of your living room.
You might think that’s a lot of pressure for a book that’s never really going to get read, but trust me on this. This will solidify your apartment as the cool spot, and really what else is the point of having your own place if that’s not the case?
Here are some of the perfect big coffee table books to buy for your place.
Nora Ephron at the Movies by Ilana Kaplan
If quoting When Harry Met Sally or You’ve Got Mail is your entire personality, Ilana Kaplan’s new book “Nora Ephron at the Movies” is an absolute need. Not only is it filled with beautiful stills from her movies, it includes exclusive interviews with Nora’s key collaborators. So yes, you will actually want to read this coffee table book.
Cats by Walter Chandoha
If you’re a cat person, there’s not much else to say — you need this on your coffee table. JIC you didn’t know photographer Walter Chandoha was capturing the perfect cat pics long before the internet and #catsofinstagram, so you’re not a true cat lady until you own this book. Sorry, not sorry!
Architectural Digest: A Century of Style by AD Staff
I always think it’s a classy move to put something architecture-based or design-based in your apartment. It gives off the vibe that you don’t just decorate — you curate. As a celebration of the magazine’s centennial, this book delves into 100 years of archives.
Alexander Fury
If you’re a fashion girlie, what better way to shove that down people’s throats than iconic roundup of Vivienne Westwood runway looks?
Jason Polan
Jason Polan made it his life’s mission to draw every person he came across in New York — and then he put it into this book. If you’ve been to the Big Apple, maybe you’ll see yourself!
Patricia Schultz
This one isn’t just decorative, you can use it to plan the very adventurous life I know you’re going to have because you have a very cool book on your coffee table.
Banksy by Stefano Antonelli and Gianluca Marziani
New York Times Custom Football Book by NYT Staff
If sports are more of your thing, you can showcase your love with this book. The best thing is that it definitely adds cool points because it was made with The New York Times and nothing says you have your life together more than the Times. Simply select the NFL team of your choice and gift yourself with reprinted coverage from the iconic newspaper.
“Amalfi Coast” Travel Photography Book by Assouline Publishing
So you don’t have to have this very book, but if you make it a thing to buy a coffee table book for all of the places you traveled, not only is that going to showcase how well-traveled you are, but also is a great conversation piece. And why else would you have something in your apartment if you don’t want people to talk to you about it?
