Books add so much warmth, character and sophistication to any space. Whether you have a single shelf or an entire library room, decorating with books can transform the look and feel of your home. In this post, I’m sharing my picks for the most beautiful books to use in home decor.
From colorful cookbooks to leather-bound classics, these book selections make wonderful decorative accents. They not only look great on the shelf, but many of them are interesting reads as well. So read on for the prettiest books to showcase in your home!
Let me know if you have any other favorites to add to the list. I love discovering beautiful books that elevate a room’s style. With the right books as accents, you can create a space that feels curated, personal and inviting.
Most Beautiful Books
They say not to judge a book by its cover, but when it comes to decorating my coffee table or dresser top, how can I not?
From the flowers of Dior to the sculptures of Newport, it’s impossible to ignore the beautiful covers of these eye-catching books. Here are nine beautifully covered, recently released books that are sure to delight on the outside as well as on the inside!
- Warhol is a visual journey through the life and art of pop culture icon Andy Warhol.
- Choupette: The Private Life of a High-Flying Fashion Cat explores the pampered world of Choupette, Karl Lagerfeld’s famously fashionable feline muse and bon vivant.
- The French Riviera (Slipcased): In the 1920’s captures the glamorous era of the 1920s on the Côte d’Azur through archival art and photography.
- Dior: The Perfumes reveals the history and artistry behind the iconic scents that defined the legendary fashion house.
- Exposed: A History of Lingerie unveils the alluring evolution of lingerie design from the 18th century through today.
- Dinner Diaries: Reviving the Art of the Hostess Book shares lavish menus, recipes, and entertaining tips from the heyday of hostess books.
- Jeff Koons: A Retrospective highlights the boundary-pushing creations from this controversial American artist.
- Living Newport: Houses, People, Style offers a peek inside the storied coastal mansions that define extravagant Gilded Age design.
- Dries Van Noten chronicles the groundbreaking fashions and textiles of this leading Belgian designer.
Styling Books at Home
Here are some tips for styling and decorating with large books at home:
Stack large books on the floor next to a chair or sofa to create an inviting vignette and reading nook. Add a small table lamp and accessory like a blanket or pillow.
Lean large coffee table books against each other to create height and visual interest on a coffee table. Try mixing sizes, colors and textures. Display oversized art books on their own on a console table or sideboard to highlight their covers.
Layer large books flat on the shelves of a bookcase to create color blocks. Arrange books with the spines facing out as well as facing in. Choose extra thick books to elevate objects like vases, candles or trays on a shelf or mantle. The varied heights add dimension.
Prop open oversized books to display photos or other mementos on a desk or table. The pages can become little display stands. Let an oversized book make a statement as the focal point on a wall shelf. Flank it with smaller accessories or objects.
Group subject-related books together into vignettes on open shelving. For example, nature books or antique collecting guides. Add drama by stacking a combination of extra large and standard books on the floor next to furniture.
The oversized scale of large books can add striking visual impact to any room when used creatively! Let me know if you need any other styling tips.
What are your favorite books to use as decor in your home?
