Everyone has a moment when they need to expand their library or spruce up their home. A great solution for this is coffee table books. These books not only enhance your decor but also provide an opportunity for your guests to explore your interests, potentially sparking fascinating conversations. By adding a carefully selected coffee table book, you can transform any room into a space that reflects your personality. Whether you have an interest in fashion photography, traveling, design, or filmmaking, there’s a perfect coffee table book out there for you.

The diversity of coffee table books available means you can find one that perfectly matches your taste and style. For fashion enthusiasts, there are books featuring the works of iconic designers, high-fashion editorials, and retrospectives of influential fashion movements. Travelers can indulge in books that showcase stunning landscapes, cultural insights, and personal travel stories from around the globe. Design aficionados will appreciate volumes dedicated to architecture, interior design, and graphic design, each filled with inspiring visuals and expert commentary. Filmmakers and cinephiles can find books that delve into the art and history of cinema, offering behind-the-scenes looks, interviews with directors, and much more.

I’ve compiled a list of books to explore, some of which are my personal favorites and others you may find intriguing. They’re categorized based on personal interests and aesthetics you would want in your space. From fashion to photography, to art & design, to travel, it's a list that you wouldn't want to miss out on!

FASHION

1. Fly: The Big Book of Basketball Fashion

“Fly: The Big Book of Basketball Fashion" by Mitchell S. Jackson blends striking photography with cultural insights to explore the intersection of high fashion and basketball. Celebrating the iconic style of NBA athletes from the league's inception to today, this book captures the evolution of basketball fashion and its cultural impact. Perfect for sports fans and fashion enthusiasts, "Fly" highlights how NBA players have set trends both on and off the court.

2. Screen Style

“Screen Style” celebrates the stunning and stylish costumes from 50 iconic TV series. From the sleek looks of "Mad Men" to the vibrant fashion of "Call My Agent," and the elegant attire of "Bridgerton" to the bold outfits in "Empire," this book offers a captivating look at the unforgettable fashion moments that have graced the small screen. Perfect for fashion enthusiasts and TV fans alike, "Screen Style" showcases the artistry and impact of television costume design.

3. Shocking: The Surreal World of Elsa Schiaparelli

This book celebrates Elsa Schiaparelli, a key figure in twentieth-century fashion. Known for her innovative designs and surreal collaborations with artists like Salvador Dalí, Schiaparelli's work made a lasting impact. Featuring vintage photos, sketches, and highlights from Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue, this beautifully illustrated volume is a must-have for fashion enthusiasts, capturing the essence of Schiaparelli’s groundbreaking style.

4. Christian Dior Designer of Dreams

Explore the iconic creations of Christian Dior in this beautifully illustrated book. From his groundbreaking debut in 1947 to his lasting influence today, discover Dior's timeless elegance and innovative vision through stunning photographs and insightful commentary.

5. The Men's Fashion Book

“The Men's Fashion Book" offers an unparalleled A-Z exploration into the individuals and brands shaping the world of menswear. From iconic figures who have defined classic styles to contemporary innovators driving today's fashion renaissance, this book delves into the history, influence, and evolution of men's clothing and style.

6. Black Ivy: A Revolt in Style

“Black Ivy: A Revolt in Style” explores how Black men transformed the classic Ivy Look into something cool and edgy, with figures like Malcolm X and Miles Davis leading the charge. Featuring key pieces like the Oxford button-down and hand-stitched loafers, this book highlights their stylish rebellion during the civil rights era, proving that great style endures.

7. Fashion: A History from the 18th to the 20th Century: The Collection of the Kyoto Costume Institute

Kyoto Costume Institute showcases their vast collection of clothing, highlighting trends from the 18th to the 20th century. With curated garments, accessories, and insightful commentary, this book explores how fashion defines culture, class, and personality, celebrating attire as a fundamental expression of identity.

8. The Stylish Life: Tennis

“The Stylish Life: Tennis” captures the essence of tennis as more than a sport—it's a chic, sociable lifestyle. Featuring iconic legends like Arthur Ashe and modern stars like Maria Sharapova, this coffee-table book showcases the elegance of tennis attire by Lacoste and Fred Perry. From Wimbledon to prestigious courts worldwide, discover the blend of athleticism and style that defines this sophisticated pastime

PHOTOGRAPHY

9. The New Black Vanguard: Photography Between Art and Fashion

“The New Black Vanguard:” Photography between Art and Fashion showcases the impact of Black photographers on fashion and art. Featuring talents like Tyler Mitchell and Nadine Ijewere, it explores new beauty standards and the role of Black bodies in media. The book highlights 15 photographers and envisions a vibrant future for Black imagery.

10. Women Street Photographers

“Women Street Photographers” highlights 100 contemporary women photographers worldwide, showcasing their diverse and compelling images capturing extraordinary moments. Curated by Gulnara Samoilova, the book includes personal insights and explores the historical intersection of gender in street photography, with an essay by Melissa Breyer. Foreword by photojournalist Ami Vitale provides insight into women's experiences in the field.

11. Wonderland

“Wonderland” by Annie Leibovitz offers a retrospective on her five-decade career, highlighting the role of fashion in her photography. This collection features 350 extraordinary images, many previously unpublished, showcasing diverse subjects from Nicole Kidman to Lady Gaga. With insights into her Vogue work and a foreword by Anna Wintour, the book captures Leibovitz's unique blend of journalism, portraiture, and fashion photography.

12. Alex Webb: Dislocations

“Dislocations” updates Alex Webb's 1998 experimental book with a contemporary perspective. This edition combines images spanning Webb's career, exploring photography as a form of dislocation. Featuring unpublished works from the past two decades and reflecting on the pandemic's impact, the book captures today's sense of displacement and global change.

13. The Dutch Photobook: A Thematic Selection from 1945 Onwards

“The Dutch Photobook” explores the Netherlands' rich tradition of collaborative photobook creation, from pre-World War II to modern innovations. It features over 100 projects across genres like conceptual, documentary, youth culture, urbanism, landscape, and travel photo books, including landmark titles such as "Love on the Left Bank" and "Chili, September 1973". Essays by Dutch photo historians and unique visuals by designer Joost Grootens enrich the exploration of this influential genre.

14. Andy Warhol Polaroids 1958 - 1987

This book, created in collaboration with the Andy Warhol Foundation, showcases Andy Warhol's extensive Polaroid collection. Spanning from the late 1950s to 1987, it features portraits of celebrities like Mick Jagger and Alfred Hitchcock, as well as Warhol's entourage, landscapes, and still lifes. These raw, impromptu snapshots provide a unique glimpse into Warhol's era, documenting his life, world, and artistic vision akin to today's Instagram.

15. Feeling Seen: The Photographs of Campbell Addy

Campbell Addy's debut monograph showcases his rise in photography, featuring major works for top labels and magazines. The book includes insights from Edward Enninful and Ekow Eshun, portraits of Kendall Jenner, FKA Twigs, and Tyler, the Creator, and explores themes of race, beauty, and representation. It closes with Addy's personal works and influences, marking him as a significant, authentic talent in the industry.

16. The Atlas of Beauty: Women of the World in 500 Portraits

The Atlas of Beauty by Mihaela Noroc showcases her global journey photographing everyday women since 2013. From the Amazon to London, India to Harlem, her portraits celebrate diversity in beauty, capturing women in their local environments. This gift-worthy hardcover book offers a colorful and poignant perspective on women's lives worldwide.

ART & DESIGN

17. The Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism

In the 1920s, Upper Manhattan sparked the Harlem Renaissance, a pivotal era of Black creativity. This volume reinterprets it as a global movement influenced by Alain Locke's New Negro philosophy. Featuring artists like Aaron Douglas and Augusta Savage, who blended European avant-garde with African styles, it also highlights Laura Wheeler Waring and Samuel Joseph Brown, Jr., known for dignified portrayals of Black subjects. The book explores international connections, juxtaposing New Negro artists with European peers like Germaine Casse, illustrating their impact on modernism and discussions of race and identity.

18. Pop Art

Emerging in the 1960s, Pop Art initially rebelled against traditional art and culture, later questioning society, consumerism, and the artist's role. It drew from mass media like advertising, comics, and Hollywood icons, famously exemplified by Andy Warhol's Campbell's soup cans. Pop Art elevated mundane imagery, challenging norms through mass-production techniques like screen printing. Featuring Andy Warhol, Allen Jones, Ed Ruscha, and others, this book explores the broad impact of this defining modernist movement.

19. The History of Graphic Design

Graphic design distills each era's spirit through its vivid synthesis of image and idea. From minimalist packaging to vibrant ads and sleek interfaces, it reflects cultural aspirations and values while transmitting essential information. Author Jens Müller chronicles pivotal designs year by year, highlighting milestones in this ever-evolving field. This collection serves as a retrospective on graphic design's profound influence, tracing its impact on contemporary history and daily life.

20. Lorna Simpson Collages

Lorna Simpson creates striking collages, using vintage Ebony and Jet magazine photos, exploring the language of hair through surreal ink washes and unexpected objects. Featuring 160 artworks and introduced by poet Elizabeth Alexander, this volume celebrates Simpson's unique visual expression.

FILM

21. Regeneration: Black Cinema, 1898–1971

From its beginnings, Black filmmakers have significantly shaped American cinema. Icons like Bert Williams, Oscar Micheaux, and Lena Horne left lasting marks on both independent and mainstream Hollywood, capturing the depth of Black experiences and inspiring future generations. Despite its rich history and challenges, the legacy of Black cinema is often overlooked. "Regeneration," accompanying a milestone exhibition at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, explores seven decades of Black contributions. This volume includes a curatorial essay, scholarly texts on early Black independent filmmaking, and interviews with contemporary filmmakers such as Ava DuVernay and Barry Jenkins, offering a vital resource on the enduring impact and evolution of Black cinema, complemented by an extensive filmography and visual artworks.

22. SPIKE

David Lee, Spike Lee's longtime still photographer and brother, presents a comprehensive monograph featuring hundreds of unseen photos. These images offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Spike Lee's creative process and cultural influence, showcasing iconic commercials with Michael Jordan for Nike, memorable music videos with Prince and Michael Jackson, and scenes from acclaimed films like Malcolm X (1992) and Da 5 Bloods (2020), underscoring Spike Lee's enduring impact on contemporary culture.

23. The Art of the Hollywood Backdrop

During Hollywood's golden age, painted backdrops in films like The Wizard of Oz and Cleopatra created immersive worlds, remaining unseen while convincingly portraying illusions. The Art of the Hollywood Backdrop uncovers the hidden artists and studios behind these masterpieces, spanning from MGM to Paramount. Despite digital advances in modern films, this book preserves a rich history from Méliès to Chaplin, celebrating a vanishing craft pivotal to visual storytelling.

24. ARCHIVE

“Archive” is Sofia Coppola's debut book, chronicling her cinematic career through personal photographs, ephemera, and behind-the-scenes insights from The Virgin Suicides to The Beguiled and her upcoming film Priscilla. Edited and annotated by Coppola, it offers intimate reflections on her methods and collaborators, accompanied by an interview with Lynn Hirschberg. Designed by Joseph Logan and Anamaria Morris, the book provides unprecedented access to Coppola's personal archive and artistic evolution.

BEAUTY

25. Face Paint: The Story of Makeup

Face Paint explores the rich history of makeup, tracing its global social practices over centuries. It highlights iconic figures like Audrey Hepburn and Madonna, detailing the materials and stories behind their enduring beauty. The book also delves into the legacies of industry pioneers such as Helena Rubinstein, Charles Revson, Elizabeth Arden, and Estee Lauder.

26. The New Beauty: A Modern Look at Beauty, Culture, and Fashion

“Face Paint” explores the history of makeup, tracing its global social practices over centuries and highlighting iconic figures like Audrey Hepburn and Madonna. It delves into the materials and stories behind their enduring beauty, alongside the legacies of industry pioneers such as Helena Rubinstein, Charles Revson, Elizabeth Arden, and Estee Lauder.

27. Classic Beauty: The History of Makeup

This book traces the evolution of beauty standards from ancient civilizations to the present, exploring how politics, society, and culture have shaped perceptions of beauty. It covers trends in facial aesthetics and makeup from the 1920s onwards, featuring vintage ads, makeup guides, and profiles of influential figures. With over 450 images and detailed timelines, it celebrates key makeup innovations that have shaped human expression, making it a valuable resource for enthusiasts, artists, and historians.

TRAVEL

28. The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World

The latest edition of “The Travel Book” offers updated profiles for each country, featuring tips on ideal visit times, top attractions, and cultural highlights like film, music, and cuisine. Illustrated with stunning new photography capturing portraits, landscapes, and lively street scenes, this edition is enhanced with colorful maps, making it an ideal companion for travelers and a thoughtful gift choice.

29. Joie: A Parisian's Guide to Celebrating the Good Life

Ajiri Aki embraced the French philosophy of joie de vivre throughout her life, influenced by her Nigerian-Jamaican heritage and later, her experiences in Paris. In this beautifully photographed volume celebrating French living, she shares insights from hosting perfect apéros to leisurely flânerie and the art of enjoying être—simply being. Discover how to integrate these French joys into daily life, from savoring café culture to indulging in spontaneous moments of happiness.

30. Tokyo Chic

Highlighting Tokyo's enduring allure across generations, this edition celebrates the city's captivating films, literature, avant-garde fashion, and exquisite cuisine. It pays homage to Tokyo's distinctive architecture, vibrant food culture, and unparalleled sense of style, showcasing the city's ongoing influence and beauty.

31. Copacabana Palace: Where Rio Starts

Francisca Mattéoli's 'Copacabana Palace: Where Rio Starts' celebrates the centennial of Rio de Janeiro's iconic Copacabana Palace Hotel, tracing its glamorous history from its 1923 opening through Hollywood's golden age to modern-day cultural events like Carnival balls and New Year's Eve celebrations. Lavishly illustrated with commissioned photography, the book captures the hotel's cinematic views, stylish design, and legendary guests, reflecting both its historic elegance and contemporary allure.

32. African Adventures: The Greatest Safari on Earth

Experience Africa's iconic wonders: Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, the Okavango Delta in Botswana, Kenya's Great Migration, and Rwanda's mountain gorillas. This safari adventure offers sustainable lodges, helicopter rides, and wildlife encounters, while celebrating the region's rich cultural heritage through art, conservation, and indigenous traditions.

Now that you've scouted through the list, you can add them to your bookshelf or keep them waiting in your cart. In all, it's about making sure you have the right books to suit your mood and interests. Consider adding these captivating coffee table books to elevate your living space and life. With a mix of genres and themes, you're bound to find something that will not only entertain but also inspire and impress your guests. Dive in and discover your next favorite coffee table book!

Article by Shawna Small, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Georgia Wallace, Graphic Design Intern, PhotoBook Magazine