Coffee table books (CTBs) are essential to any well-decorated space to add inspired and sophisticated ambiance. And as I fancy myself, an expert due to my own excessive collection I have made this guide. The important criteria a CTB must meet include a great cover, subject matter and thickness. The cover should accent the room with cohesive ease and keep your eye interested. The book needs to be about something that actually interests you, because there will come a time when you need a distraction and flipping through the pages of the world’s prettiest cemeteries probably won’t suit your needs. Coffee table books are usually stacked; when buying one, always consider the thickness compared to other books you already have. A good coffee table stack must descend from the top thinnest book to the thickest bottom book. Now that we have gone over the basics on this riveting topic, please indulge my obsession by looking at what I consider must haves in the coffee table book world.

1. ART CTBs.

 Art coffee table books are classic and beautiful. They provide the reader with inspiration and usually have the best covers. As an art history aficionado, I am partial when I say art CTBs are the best, but trust me. Soon you’ll find yourself scouring your local bookstore for the retrospective of a favorite artist. Pro-tip, Amazon is a less expensive alternative to the price-gauged options at boutiques.

2. FASHION CTBs.

 Fashion coffee table books are great when standing alone or adorned atop with some fresh flowers or nice candles. The covers usually have bold lettering that will be sure to catch wishful gazes and command respect. Perfect for any room, fashion CTBs will brighten your spirits and provide an easy read for lazy days.

3. TRAVEL CTBs.

Travel coffee table books will induce a severe case of wanderlust while simultaneously complimenting a room’s aesthetic. These CTBs are great hostess gifts as well, for when you want to give something other than the atypical flower arrangement. When purchasing a travel CTB, I recommend those of European persuasion to add a cultured touch or classic city ones. Beach CTBs should stay in the tropics unless, of course, you live near a beach. In which case, go for it.

4. INTEREST CTBs.

Lastly, interest coffee table books add to eclecticism and curious fascination into the ambiance. Topics have a broad range in this category, so you can personalize the books to your own passions. The covers of these books are extremely important because the subject matter might be uncommon and in need of an decorative enhancement to spark interest. Feel free to have fun with this CTB type, and purchase something funny or outrageous.