Oh the coffee table book. Seinfield may have turned this particular form of literature into a punch line (Kramer’s coffee table book about coffee tables, that turns into a coffee table). However, the coffee table book is far from a joke.
For starters owning books will always make you look very smart. Having these books proudly on display only further enhances your scholarly reputation. Let the books you choose, set the tone for what kind of intellect you wish to highlight. If you want to stake your claim as an art buff, have your coffee table scattered with books of classical painters, the more obscure the better. If you wish to establish yourself as a true fashionista choose one of the countless (and beautiful) books from an esteemed fashion house. If you desire to spark conversation about your many worldly travels, geographically oriented books will do just the trick.
Another great thing about coffee table books is that they don’t actually have to be on a coffee table (mind blown, I know!). Stacks of coffee table books are a great way to add height to displays on side tables and shelves. Don’t be afraid to place things on top of the books, this especially works well with larger books. In fact, the bigger the book the better, even if you live in a tiny space there is always room for a large coffee table book.
Perhaps my favorite thing of all about coffee table books is that they are so gosh darn pretty. All of the images in these books have been so carefully curated every page is like a work of art. If you find an image or series of images you really love, feel free to leave the book open to those pages, now not only do you look smart for owning books, you look doubly smart for reading them, and a well placed magnifying glass will multiple your intelligence an additional tenfold (even if you were only admiring the pictures haha).
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