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It’s all about the details when it comes to making a house a home with your decor choices. That’s why I want to share a sometimes overlooked, but absolutely classy touch. Adding fashionable coffee table books in your living room!
Bonus points if you actually enjoy the content of the book! But that part is optional if you’re just in it for the *aesthetic*.



Super Saver Tip: The other road you can take is to buy a stack of faux hardcover books! This is if you’re really looking to save and truly are just buying for decorative purposes. They look like real books, but they are not. Sometimes the pages are just blank! Or it’s simply just a box that looks like a book.
Regardless of your intention for these books, rest assured these are all gorgeous, and most of them are actual real books! And because I am all about the budget buy, they are all under $50. I see no reason to buy a mostly decorative book for more than $50! Unless you plan on reading this thing cover to cover, or the book has some deep meaning to you. If you’re a fellow budget decor lover then I am sure you will agree!
Iconic and Fashionable Coffee Table Books Under $50
Neutral Coffee Table Books
When styling with coffee table books you of course have to choose books that fit your home decor style! If you’re unsure exactly, going with neutral coffee table books will always work. If you lean towards a more modern style, then you will likely love these options. Some examples of neutral decor styles are modern farmhouse, organic modern, mid century modern, and transitional style.
These all have great neutral tones on the cover, and a lot of them actually have good content on the inside too! Definitely an easy way to style a coffee table, side table, shelf, or anywhere you’re trying to add a subtle touch of sophistication.
Designer Coffee Table Books
If you’re going for a more high fashion look in your home, then choosing a designer coffee table book is definitely the way to go! A lot of designer coffee table books are priced pretty high, and definitely are over $50. But I found the designer coffee table books you need on a budget! (Warning: some of these are affordable because they are on the smaller size! Make sure that’s the size you want before purchasing.)
This definitely is an easy and affordable way to make your home look more expensive. If you’re looking for more easy and inexpensive tips on how to make your home look more expensive then check out my recent post here with my top 10 tips!
Because some of the options above are SMALL. (Hence why they are under $50) You may be wanting a designer coffee table book that is a bit larger. In that case I am also sharing some bigger options that cost just a bit more, and all of these are under $100! (at the time of writing this post)
Coastal Coffee Table Books
If your style is coastal modern, then these coffee table books are total must haves to elevate your space! These also work for decorating a beach house or Airbnb or other beachy rental property. Coastal grandmother vibes for sure. Plus a lot of these have some really beautiful photography and are nice to flip through. Your guests will be impressed and entertained at the same time.
If you love a good coastal style home but you’re on a budget, then you will fall in love with my Serena and Lily dupes that I found. Be sure to check out that post here! And for even more modern coastal home decor finds on a budget, check out my favorite coastal home decor Amazon finds here.
Fake Coffee Table Books
Lastly, there are the fake coffee table book stacks! If you’re really just in it for the look and you’re not worried about someone picking up the book to read it when you have guests over, then this category is for you. TBH they are nice a decorative touch without you having to go and spend over $100. Especially since you don’t wan to spend on a bunch of books that, if you’re being honest with yourself, you’re never gonna read!
I strongly believe this move is ok if you’re looking to style a shelf or an entryway table. Basically anywhere that someone wouldn’t casually pick it up and try to read it. AKA, don’t place a fake book on the coffee table.
The other scenario that this is totally ok is if you are a home stager just looking for a cheap and easy way to style a home to entice a buyer! If you happen to be house hunting, here is a fair warning that most of the decor and even the beds are usually fake in a staged home! If you’ve ever seen the episode of House Hunters where the guy jumps on the fake bed and breaks it because it’s essentially made of cardboard, then YOU KNOW.
Lastly, if you love affordable and modern home decor on a budget you gotta follow along with my daily shopping finds in the free Liketoknow.it shopping app! Some of my recent finds below:
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