How Chloe Roberts Made Beautiful Travel Coffee Table Books with Mixbook

For Chloe Roberts, travel isn’t just about the places she visits—it’s about the memories she makes along the way. After returning from a life-changing three-month trip across Europe, she found herself reminiscing about the countless moments she had captured through her camera lens. But scrolling through thousands of photos on her phone didn’t feel special enough.

That’s when inspiration struck: she would create a travel coffee table book that showcased her personal journey—one that wasn’t just aesthetically beautiful but also deeply meaningful.

Now, her stunning photo books don’t just sit on a shelf. They’re displayed front and center in her home, serving as a stylish décor piece and a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

A Travel Keepsake That Doubles as Home Decor

Chloe’s love for interior design played a major role in her decision to create a coffee table travel book. She noticed high-end coffee table books in home stores—beautifully bound, filled with breathtaking imagery—but something was missing: the personal connection.

“I remember looking inside these books and seeing random photos of places I had been,” Chloe shared. “But they didn’t mean as much to me because I hadn’t taken the photos myself.”

That’s when she had an idea—what if she could take the same concept but fill the pages with her own travel photos? She envisioned a book that wasn’t just a keepsake but a decorative element, adding style and personality to her home.

With Mixbook, she brought this idea to life, creating books that seamlessly blend into her décor while showcasing her most cherished adventures.

If you’re looking to add a personal touch to your space, travel coffee table books are the perfect way to display memories in a stylish and intentional way.

How to Achieve a Luxe Coffee Table Book Aesthetic

Want to create a photo book that looks straight out of a designer showroom? Here are some of Chloe’s top tips for achieving a high-end, magazine-style design:

1. Go for a Minimalist Cover Design
• Opt for a sleek, clean cover with a simple title and elegant typography.
• Neutral tones (beige, black, white) or soft pastels create a sophisticated look.
• Chloe even designed custom covers that match her home’s aesthetic, making her books feel like part of the décor.
2. Use Full-Bleed Photos for a Modern Magazine Feel
• Full-page, edge-to-edge images make your book feel immersive and luxurious.
• Mix landscape shots with up-close details for visual variety.
• Pair double-page spreads with minimal text to maintain a sleek, editorial look.
3. Play with White Space for an Elegant Layout
• Keep pages uncluttered—less is more when designing a coffee table book.
• Use large, high-resolution images and allow plenty of breathing room between elements.
• Stick to a limited color palette that complements your home décor.
4. Organize by Theme or Destination
• Instead of chronological order, consider grouping photos by location, color scheme, or travel theme (e.g., cityscapes, food, landscapes).
• This makes flipping through your book feel intentional and curated.

Photography & Design Tips to Capture a Coffee Table-Worthy Look

If you’re creating a travel coffee table book, having high-quality images makes all the difference. Here are some expert tips for capturing and selecting photos that will make your book shine:

1. Think Like a Travel Photographer
• Capture a mix of wide-angle shots, candid moments, and small details (like street signs, food, or architecture).
• Use natural light for crisp, vibrant images.
• Experiment with unique angles—shoot from above, through windows, or from reflections to create artistic compositions.
2. Pose with Purpose
• Candid moments feel more authentic than stiff, posed shots. Walk, interact with your surroundings, or look away from the camera.
• If you want a stylish shot for your book cover, go for neutral outfits that complement the book’s aesthetic.
• Stand in open spaces or use leading lines (like pathways or bridges) to create depth and visual interest.
3. Edit for a Cohesive Look
• Use the same filter or editing preset on all your photos to create consistency.
• Adjust brightness, contrast, and color tones to achieve a polished, professional look.
• Avoid overly heavy filters—clean, natural edits look best in print.

By following these tips, your best travel coffee table books will not only preserve your memories but also look like a designer piece in your home.

A Seamless Experience with Mixbook

Chloe wanted her books to look and feel luxurious, so she tested several different photo book companies. Mixbook stood out immediately.

“They were honestly a world apart from all the other books I tried,” she said. “The quality of the prints, the richness of the colors, and the paper itself felt premium.”

Beyond the exceptional quality, she was amazed by how simple the creation process was. Even those who weren’t tech-savvy could easily upload photos, customize layouts, and create a book that looked professionally made.

“Mixbook was extremely easy to use,” Chloe shared. “You don’t need to be a designer or photographer—anyone can create something beautiful with just a little patience.”

Her TikTok tutorials on how to design custom coffee table travel books using Mixbook quickly went viral, sparking a wave of people eager to make their own.

A Gift That Sparks Joy and Nostalgia

For Chloe, these photo books weren’t just about decor—they were about preserving fleeting moments.

She gifted a book to her father, filled with memories from their time supporting their favorite football team. She made one for her sister, capturing highlights from her own Europe trip.

And the most meaningful book of all? The first one she ever created, featuring her trip to Kyoto.

“That trip was so special to me,” she reflected. “Having those photos in a book makes it easy to relive those experiences—because honestly, trips go by so fast, and you forget all the little moments.”

Her Mixbook photo books became more than just collections of images; they became conversation starters, gifts that sparked emotion, and keepsakes that held a lifetime of memories.

How to Make Your Own Coffee Table Photo Book

Inspired by Chloe’s story? Creating your own coffee table photo book is easier than you think. Here’s how you can get started:

1. Choose Your Theme: Whether it’s a single trip, a collection of travels, or a special event, decide what story you want your book to tell.
2. Organize Your Photos: Select high-quality images that best represent your journey. A mix of landscapes, candid shots, and detailed close-ups makes for an engaging book.
3. Customize Your Layout: Play around with different page designs, captions, and background colors to match your aesthetic. Mixbook makes this part simple!
4. Personalize Your Cover: Chloe’s tip? A beautifully designed cover makes all the difference—it turns your book into a piece of decor that you’ll want to display front and center.
5. Consider Your Format: We suggest an 8.5 x 11 hardcover photo book with semi gloss pages to achieve that high quality coffee table book feel. Explore Mixbook’s photo book options to find the perfect format for your project.

Are Coffee Table Books Still a Thing? Absolutely.

If you’re wondering whether coffee table books are still relevant, the answer is a resounding yes. In a digital world where most of our memories live on screens, there’s something special about holding a book filled with personal moments.

Chloe’s viral TikTok success proves that people are eager to create meaningful, tangible keepsakes. Whether you’re making a book for yourself, designing a gift, or looking to elevate your home decor, travel coffee table books are the perfect way to bring your memories to life.

Ready to create your own? Start designing today with Mixbook! 🚀