Coffee table books make decorative pieces that are packed with knowledge and inspiration. As such, they are great gift ideas for the avid readers in your life. Whether they have a knack for interior design, plant care, photography, fashion, food, or the little histories of New York, there's a book that will cater to their unique passions and niche interests.
We've curated 13 affordable options anyone will be touched to receive as gifts. None of these books costs over $100, yet their value exceeds the price tag. Take a look at these unique finds and get ready to buy a few fo yourself, too.
The top stories from the popular blog and Instagram account have been compiled in this heartwarming Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton ($15) book. It's a failsafe gift that will inspire and touch anyone deeply.
This Jungalow: Decorate Wild - by Justina Blakeney (Hardcover) ($20) is filled with clever tips and inspiration images, so they'll never run out of ideas for decorating their space. Display it on their coffee table.
This Racinet The Costume History ($20) is a fascinating look into costumes, dresses, and styles from antiquity to the end of the 19th century. It will be a guaranteed hit for costume design or fashion majors.
The editors of New York magazine put together this incredible book, and it's one I'd gift to anyone who loves New York as much as I do. The Encyclopedia of New York ($25) is a collection of fun facts, unexpected origin stories, hidden histories, and useful guides about the city.
Art enthusiasts will be so excited to add this Andy Warhol: Polaroids (Multilingual Edition) by Richard B. Woodard and Reuel Golden ($59) to their collection. It's an engaging chronicle of the artist's life, work and encounters.
The fashion girl will love displaying GUCCI: The Making Of by Frida Giannini ($88). It includes thought-provoking essays, anecdotes, and commentaries, showcasing Gucci like never before.
To give them a start on decorating their coffee table, the Architectural Digest: A Century of Style Coffee Table Book ($100) has that minimal look that'll blend right in. Plus, it'll be fun for guests to look through.
Minimalist and sophisticated, just like the man himself. Anyone will love displaying Tom Ford by Tom Ford & Bridget Foley ($83), which dives into his work at Gucci that has set the stage for his worldwide success.
If they have a knack for photography and fashion, this Peter Lindbergh: On Fashion Photography ($51, originally $70) will provide plenty of inspiration. We'd want to flip through it all day long.
Make their home a little bit fancier by gifting them Louis Vuitton: A Passion for Creation: New Art, Fashion and Architecture by Valerie Steele ($70). It explores a few of the industries the luxury house has built a name in.
The Little Book of New York ($9) by Orange Hippo is packed with trivia, historical faces, and more. For those who love the Big Apple, this manual will teach them everything they need to know — covering the landmarks, world-class museums, theaters and other iconic attractions that make New York what it is.
This Pierre Thiam Cookbook ($90) makes an excellent gift for adventurous cooks. Since buying it after watching Anthony Bourdain's episode in Senegal, my husband and I have adopted a few recipes into our repertoire, and they have easily been our favorites.
The interiors enthusiasts will swoon over this book Eames by Gloria Koenig and Peter Gössel ($16). They'll learn all about the couple's highly influential work, which has defined a new kind of modernity in furniture design.