Recommended Coffee Table Books in 2025

Recommended Coffee Table Books in 2025

A Coffee Table Book is a large-format hardcover book, typically designed to be placed on a coffee table for casual reading. Still, it also serves as a decorative and display piece. The best Coffee Table Books are captivating literary works — part art, part photography, and part textual reflection — that offer a glimpse into the owner's interests. 

Some people decorate their apartments with fashion yearbooks, while others opt for artist anthologies. For those looking to add visual appeal to their home decor and spark curiosity, many books make perfect gifts, especially as we spend more time at home. 

As we enter 2025, we’ve selected a few Coffee Table Books that are not only great to read but also worth collecting or giving as gifts.

Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton

“Humans of New York” is a visual and storytelling photography collection by photographer Brandon Stanton, based on his blog. This book features 400 vivid portraits, each telling a unique story from the streets of New York, showcasing the diversity of the city and the warmth of humanity.

Stanton began photographing on the streets of New York in 2010, initially aiming to create a “photographic census of New York City.” With just a camera, he walked thousands of miles, capturing the true face of the city and presenting the inner worlds of its subjects through brief interviews. As the blog’s popularity grew rapidly, these images and stories were compiled into a book, becoming a work full of humor, emotion, and inspiration.

“Humans of New York” is not only a collection of images but an exploration of individual destinies, emotional connections, and the social warmth of the city. The book features bustling urbanites, artists lost in their personal worlds, and elders sharing profound life philosophies—each story reflecting the deep bond between people and the city. As a warm and powerful work, it became a New York Times bestseller and won the hearts of readers worldwide, hailed as a heartfelt tribute to New York and its residents.

Dungeons & Dragons Art & Arcana: A Visual History by Jon Peterson and Michael Witwer

“Dungeons & Dragons Art & Arcana: A Visual History” is a stunning visual epic that showcases the evolution of the classic role-playing game “Dungeons & Dragons” (D&D) from its inception to the present day. The book gathers over 700 pieces of rare artwork, covering core rulebooks, adventure modules, novels like “Forgotten Realms” and “Dragonlance,” classic magazine covers, advertisements, and never-before-seen sketches, manuscripts, and design drafts.

The book's author team was granted exclusive access to the Wizards of the Coast archives, gathering precious material from renowned designers and artists, ensuring this book becomes the ultimate collector’s edition for D&D fans. The 50th-anniversary edition includes six fold-out posters depicting some of the most iconic and perilous dungeon scenes in D&D history.

Whether you’re a veteran player reminiscing about childhood memories or a new player discovering the magical allure of the game, this book will guide you through the history of D&D, letting you experience its profound impact on popular culture and fantasy art. This is not just an art book; it’s a time capsule filled with countless adventures and imaginations.

Proud Too Be Weird by Ralph Steadman

“Proud Too Be Weird” is a comprehensive retrospective of the legendary British artist Ralph Steadman’s career. The book not only showcases his distinctive visual style but also weaves in his sharp humor, biting political views, and personal narrative, offering readers an in-depth journey into his artistic world.

Steadman is renowned for his splattered ink and wild, untamed drawing style, especially for his long-time collaboration with legendary writer Hunter S. Thompson, which gave birth to “Gonzo Journalism” as a cultural phenomenon. From “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” to “The Curse of Lono,” Steadman’s work has had a profound impact with its intense visual shock and social critique.

This book features over fifty years of his iconic political cartoons, editorial illustrations, and satirical works, including collaborations with Rolling Stone magazine, coverage of the Watergate scandal, and unique depictions of boxing matches. As a bizarre and captivating art masterpiece, Proud Too Be Weird is both a tribute to Steadman’s career and a visual feast for all those who love rebellion and creativity.

 The Book. The Ultimate Guide to Rebuilding a Civilization by HUNGRY MINDS

“The Book: The Ultimate Guide to Rebuilding a Civilization” is an encyclopedic work that sparks curiosity, combining over 400 pages of exquisite illustrations with compelling scientific content, guiding readers through the great inventions and technological breakthroughs that shaped human civilization.

With a clear structure, this book covers core areas including medicine, materials science, mechanics, military arts, agriculture, home life, entertainment, music, and social development. Through high-quality writing and detailed visual presentations, it serves not only as a guide to learning history but also as a collectible piece of art.

Whether you’re casually flipping through it or using it for home education, this book satisfies the curiosity of anyone who seeks knowledge. Born from the author’s childhood fascination with how the world works—like “If I lived in the medieval times, how would I make a bowstring?”—this book is a unique blend of scientific research, historical discoveries, and exquisite illustrations, drawing readers of all ages into its pages.

This book is the perfect gift for history buffs, science explorers, or anyone who loves analysis and thought. Whether for a birthday, Christmas, or any special occasion, it’s an inspiring gift.

 Made for Living: Collected Interiors for All Sorts of Styles by Amber Lewis and Cat Chen

Made for Living is a design guide on creating layered, comfortable, and personalized living spaces, where style-forward designer Amber Lewis shares her exclusive secrets. This book features over 250 beautiful interior design photos, showcasing her signature California-casual style and providing practical advice to help you create a truly “livable” home.

Amber Lewis emphasizes that the key to home design is “layering”—mixing materials, patterns, lighting, and decor to achieve a balanced aesthetic that’s neither too new nor too retro, but just right. The book covers everything from choosing the ideal wall colors and pairing bold patterns to selecting the perfect stone countertops, helping you create a home full of warmth and personality.

If you dream of a relaxed, natural, and dynamic home style, Made for Living will inspire and guide you to effortlessly create a warm, comfortable home that truly belongs to you.