If your coffee table doesn’t already host a rotation of books on mid century design, now is the time to start! Whether you’re a person who enjoys reading on a comfortable lounge chair or an art and design enthusiast, coffee table books are a must for any occasion. Here you’ll find a selection of the best Mid Century Modern coffee table books that are as interesting as they are aesthetically beautiful.
Explore the experimental design and ambitious designers of mid-century modern from the comfort of your favorite lounge chair or simply dress up your living room with an elegant and vibrant collection of linen coffee table books. In order to help you navigate the overwhelming coffee-table book market, we’ve compiled our favorite best books for coffee tables grouped by categories: Architecture, Interior Design, and Architects & Designers.
Mid Century Modern Architecture Books
Architecture’s evolution during the midcentury modern era is fascinating to read about.
The industrial revolution opened up the possibility of using emerging new materials in building homes, which fascinated architects and designers. Case Study homes were one of the first to demonstrate the diversity that mid century modern could bring in neighborhoods and cities. Also, the connection with nature was the core of the MCM architecture; for example, floor-to-ceiling windows were widely used to create the illusion that the outdoors was closer.
Check out this selection of our favorite books on mid century modern architecture.
Atlas of Mid-Century Modern Houses
The most comprehensive in-depth look at mid-century modern homes ever published – more than 400 stunning homes in 40 countries, designed by over 290 of the world’s leading architects.
Basic Art Series: Case Study Houses
Discover the most iconic architectural project of American architecture (1945-1966) through 150 photographs and plans exploring each of these model residences and their architects, including Richard Neutra, Charles and Ray Eames, and Eero Saarinen.
Mid-Century Modern Architecture Travel Guide: West Coast USA
A must-have guide to one of the most fertile regions for the development of Mid-Century Modern architecture. This handbook provides visitors with an expertly curated list of 250 must-see destinations. Discover the most celebrated Modernist buildings, as well as hidden gems and virtually unknown examples – from the iconic Case Study houses to the glamour of Palm Springs’ spectacular Modern desert structures.
Mid-Century Modern Architecture Travel Guide: East Coast USA
A curated list of more than 250 must-see destinations organized geographically from Maine to Florida. Featuring architecture by some of the biggest Mid-Century names, including Mies van der Rohe, Marcel Breuer, Eero Saarinen, and Philip Johnson, each of the more than 250 buildings is located on a regional map. The book includes all the additional information needed to find and visit each building.
Mid Century Modern Interior Design Books
Form and function were fundamental to the mid-century modern aesthetic. World-famous designers like Ray and Charles Eames, Hans Wegner, and Marcel Breuer pioneered a new era of minimalist, streamlined styles that eliminated anything that did not serve a defined purpose. Check out this list of coffee table books for interior design inspiration and a further dive into what the designers focused on while designing mid-century modern furniture.
Mid-Century Modern: A Complete Sourcebook
Essential reading for all collectors and design aficionados, this Mid Century Modern interior design book is the ultimate survey of mcm furniture, lighting, glass, ceramics, textiles, product design, industrial design, graphics and posters.
Design of the 20th Century
While mid century modern was not the only design of the 20th century, it was a prominent one. Browse through the 700+ pages of this must have mid century modern furniture book to explore the MCM design-style timeline and learn about the pieces and stories that gave rise to our favorite 20th century movements.
Eames: Beautiful Details
Eames: Beautiful Details is already being called the ultimate Eames book. This mid century modern design book is an artistic ode to the Eameses and is guaranteed to be a collectible. Explore the many sides of the Eames family’s work, such as graphic design, films, exhibitions, and of course iconic furniture. The book’s stunning covering, which has a graphic design influenced by “The Toy,” making it as interesting to have around the house as it is to read.
Japanese Design Since 1945: A Complete Sourcebook
For the Japanese, the concept of design is not limited to functionality and materiality—it is deeply connected with culture and tradition. In this sense, everyday objects become more than their function. Showcasing hundreds of objects and contributions from both Japanese and Western designers inspired by Japan, this volume will remain the definitive work on the subject for many years to come.
Atlas of Furniture Design
Unquestionably the ultimate book on furniture design ever compiled. With its 1,028 pages, featuring 1,740 objects and spanning 237 years, this coffee table book is both an encyclopedic reference tool and an indispensable resource for collectors, scholars and experts, as well as a beautifully designed object that speaks to design enthusiasts around the globe.
Mid Century Modern Famous Architects & Designer Books
There is a reason why Mid-century modern style has stood the test of time and survived the unavoidable cycle of trends. The creative designers and architects are largely responsible for this style’s longevity and universal appeal. It is safe to say that mid century modern designers and architects were masters of the art of creating furniture that was intuitive and transcended trend. In fact, It’s virtually impossible to dive into the MCM era without mentioning the minds that made the mid-century modern style what it was.
Here is a list of the top 5 coffee table books that cover the lives and careers of some of the most iconic mid-century modern designers and architects.
Frank Lloyd Wright
From Fallingwater to Robie House to Taliesen West, this exquisite book brings all of Frank Lloyd Wright’s surviving homes together in a collection of vibrant photographs, floor plans, archival images, and essays by Wright scholars and experts.
Neutra. Complete Works
This monograph compiles his complete works—nearly 300 private homes, schools, and public buildings—illustrated by over 1,000 photographs.
Plus, this wood-inspired cover will certainly make this coffee table book an eye-catching decorative element in any living room.
Dieter Rams: The Complete Works
Throughout the twentieth century, Dieter Rams has been designing some of the world’s most renowned consumer products, defining their look, feel, and functionality. This catalogue filled with 300 color illustrations and descriptions of every product the famous designer has ever created is a true celebration of his seminal contribution to the field of industrial and product design.
Basic Art Series – Eames
An eye-catching coffee table book and thoughtful gift for anyone who loves MCM, this book covers all you ever wanted to know about Charles and Ray Eames. This must have coffee table book covers both the couple’s photography and film productions as well as their earliest furniture experiments, architecture, and textile design.
Hans J. Wegner: Just One Good Chair
Among the many things that made Hans J. Wegner famous around the world are his unrivalled chairs, which have been a key contributing factor to Danish design’s international recognition. This monograph provides a detailed overview of Danish modernist Hans J. Wegner’s wildly coveted chairs in an elegant, linen-bound coffee table book.
Basic Art Series – Breuer
In this essential introductory volume, this coffee table book explores Breuer’s whole career through some of his most significant designs and concepts, from the MoMA Research House to his ground-breaking “binuclear” dwelling design.
