Gestalten

A good design book does two jobs. It is worth reading, and it is worth leaving out, because the cover becomes part of the room. Gestalten publishes across art, architecture, design, photography and typography, and its books earn their place on both counts.

Our Gestalten shelf leans towards homes and the way people live in them. Scandinavia Dreaming and Northern Comfort cover Nordic interiors, while The New Mediterranean, The Mediterranean Home and Côte d’Azur Living head south. Upgrade and Upgrade Your House look at renovation and adaptive reuse, Little Big Rooms and Inspiring Family Homes deal with family life, and Surf Shacks Volume 2, Petite Places, House of Joy, Beyond the West, Soft Minimal by Norm Architects and The Monocle Guides round it out.

Match the book to the room it will live in: a coastal title for the bach, a Nordic one for the living room. For more titles, browse our full books collection.

Which Gestalten book suits a coastal home?
Surf Shacks Volume 2, The New Mediterranean and Côte d’Azur Living all lean towards sun, salt and relaxed rooms. They look at home on a bach coffee table and offer plenty of ideas if you are styling a beach house.

Is there a Gestalten book for someone renovating?
Upgrade Your House focuses on rebuilding, renovating and reimagining a home, while Upgrade looks at adaptive reuse, adding new architecture to old buildings. Either suits someone mid-renovation who wants ideas rather than instructions.

How many books should go on a coffee table?
Two or three is usually enough. Stack them largest at the bottom, spines facing the seating, and top the pile with something small like a candle or dish. Leave room on the table for a cup.

Is there a Gestalten book about children's rooms?
Little Big Rooms looks at children's rooms that work as playroom, bedroom and reading nook, and Inspiring Family Homes, made with MilK Magazine, looks at homes designed around family life. Both are useful before a nursery or kids' room refresh.