

They're filled with gorgeous photographs, compelling stories, and unexpected inspiration for hosting, design, travel, and beyond.With that in mind, we've chosen a few coffee table books we think are destined to be classics. The best coffee table books are both beautiful and useful, visually stunning and practical. (And, if you're interested, we've already put together a how-to on arranging said tabletop.) There's a genre of book designed just for this purpose-the aptly named coffee table book-and we bet you have a few in your collection already. A wide open surface is usually begging for an assortment of sculptural accessories, trays, and books to be artfully arranged on top.

Southerners know that when it comes to interior design, a bare coffee table is just not an option.
