Coffee table books - Would you?

[addictedtomafs]

I have recently heard about this trend that has been around for about 10 years . At first I thought it was a bit weird, as the pages are blank, but then I can see why people like the look of the books on a table/shelf.

Now I’m thinking of buying some books to style my coffee table . Do you know anyone that has them? I think I would be embarrassed if someone picked one up only to find out it’s not a real book. Am I being daft even considering the purchase?

Er... just buy a book you like instead?

Absolutely daft. The grey cover with "home" on it is honestly a gateway to a ghastly grey "live laugh love" sign in your living room.

Just buy actual books and read them!!

WTF? No. I have plenty of beautiful book on subjects which interest me, especially travel and photography, as it is.

Honestly. Who needs pointless clutter? People with brains as empty as their books?

What an utterly mad idea

Just use lovely real books. I've got books about maps on mine at the moment. Perfect to pick up and leaf through.

I think that’s one of the most genuinely depressing concepts I’ve come across lately. If you read books, put books you like in your rooms, if you don’t, are you really going to arrange blank books on your table?

I was howling at cardboard boxes that look like books on Shein yesterday, this is just as bad. Just buy an actual book that is interesting as well as decorative!

No.
Just use real coffee table books. The charity shops will be open soon, you'll get loads of nice ones.

why not just buy a book you like?

I have never heard of this trend, is it really a thing in actual homes (not stylised ones for decor instas or show homes)?!

So many lovely ‘coffee table’ books out there, on every topic with gorgeous full page pictures... I’d be more than happy to shop for you

This is so, so weird. Yes, you are being incredibly daft! I'm actually a bit lost for words!!

My problem is trying to keep the number of books down, so I don't need to buy pretend ones.
You can buy different coloured/patterned dust jackets for books. So you could have any book you like, photography, history, Jilly Cooper and just get dust covers that match your decor.

You could get a Billy bookcase from IKEA and display some fake books as they do too 😜

I've got some lovely books that would be great to put on a coffee table if I had one. I'd never buy a fake one!

Lol you guys think I’m crazy. When I first discovered the trend I was thinking the exact same! I think I have looked and looked at these books so many times now, that it started to feel normal. Thanks for the reality check guys!

I am not usually a "think of the environment" type of person, but this kind of waste really does annoy me.

If you want to do it, do it. It's no sillier than an ornament which has no use but to look pretty.

Personally I love books, so I'd prefer a book I could look through as well, but I often buy hardbacks just because they are more aesthetically pleasing!

Even pubs buy real second-hand books by the yard!

Tbh I don’t buy books very often, especially hardbacks. I prefer online books or loaning a book from the library (I’m old school!). I don’t tend to re-read books so they always felt like a waste on money. I think I thought it would look ‘better’ than my Sophie kinsella books, but thinking about it it’s my house, they are the kind of novels I read so why do I care about creating something that looks nice for others!

Just look for second hand books online if you really want something like this effect. Agree with pp it's a complete waste of money and resources to buy something like this new.

Go to your local high street when the shop reopen. Your friendly local charity shops will have lots of impressive looking books for less than £1 each. Failing that, try WH Smith or TK Maxx

@Lucent

I think that’s one of the most genuinely depressing concepts I’ve come across lately. If you read books, put books you like in your rooms, if you don’t, are you really going to arrange blank books on your table?

Me too!

I love (real) coffee table books. Really recommend the White Company one. Few decent cookbooks (with nice photos) also a nice houseplant book.

I have tonnes that I rotate. Great for a Sunday afternoon browse.

This one. It's really lovely

www.amazon.co.uk/Love-White-Neutral-Home/dp/1784725560/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&crid=21DK137BH6LX7&keywords=white+company+book&sprefix=White+company+%2Caps%2C178&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1617211668&sr=8-1

Books with blank pages? Unbefuckinglievable.

The sheer quantity & variety of completely pointless tat that some people choose to waste their money on simply defies belief. They have more money than sense.

For a coffee table book that will look impressive, why not get a big desk diary? You'll pick one up cheaply now, and you can leave the pages blank, but you'll look organised.