Books are a key decor element for a lived-in home that feels warm and inviting. If you've wondered how to weave books into your everyday decor, these ideas will show you how!
We may live in a very digital age, with tablets and e-readers everywhere, yet books still matter to many people! Finding a way to store or show off a growing collection can be a real puzzle.
Most folks immediately think of bookshelves! Yet even that choice brings plenty of questions. Built-in bookcase? Accent shelves? Stacked piles?
Happily (and a little overwhelming), there are plenty of options.
SOURCES: Elements of Family Style | More Beautiful | Tracery
What if, rather than only tucking your books onto shelves, you used them as decor? Styling with books is both practical and charming! If you've wondered how to decorate with books, you've come to the right place.
I have long been
Here are six book display ideas that make storing your collection both functional and good-looking.
Related Post: How to Decorate a Bookshelf
Decorating with Books: 6 Different Ways to Display Them
Honestly, I don't own a huge number of books, but I adore how they look as part of everyday life. Old first editions or newer volumes, they all bring a homey warmth to a room.
Rather than letting your books gather dust on a shelf, try some unconventional thinking to add personality to your home with them!
Here's how.
By Color
They say never judge a book by its cover, but this is the perfect moment to toss that advice out the window, since you're absolutely judging books by their covers, or at least by their colors.
Grouping books by color is a fun, quick way to style a room with a playful feel, like this example from One King's Lane.
Use Books as Risers
Old books are one of my favorite decor materials! Because they can be used in so many ways, you can find an approach that suits your personality.
Stacks of old books make visually interesting risers, adding depth and dimension to a space by lifting things up.
For instance, in our living room, I placed books under my faux spider plant to lift it just enough to catch the eye without floating so high that it's "in the way".
Or, this example from Z Design at Home puts a lamp right on a pile of books. So lovely!
Fill the Empty Space
If you have an open surface, like a nightstand or something similar, that could use more personality, try adding books to fill the gaps.
I adore this example from Design Darling, who fills the wide open top of her bedside table with beautifully arranged stacks of books.
If you have awkward architectural spots in your home that need to feel lived-in, fill them with a stack of books, like this example from One Kings Lane! It's a lovely way to show off a lot of books without getting in the way.
Add Subtle Touches
One approach is to highlight the colors of the covers by using books as pops of color in your decor.
Another is to do the opposite: wrap them in brown paper, burlap, or another material so they read as more neutral and add a soft texture to your decor.
This example from Stone Gable Blog shows the idea beautifully in a lovely vignette on her coffee table!
Stacked Books Decor
There's something wonderful about a stack of books, where variety and uniformity coexist, and the effect is simply striking!
Books bring a sense of coziness to a room that few other design elements can match.
Take stacking books as an example. Nothing else gives you quite the same lived-in look as a deliberately stacked pile of books.
If you try stacking games, pillows, magazines, or anything else, you won't capture that same comforting feel. Instead, it tends to look cluttered.
I love the creativity of this DIY stacked book lamp idea from HGTV!
Or, you could use a floating shelf to stack books up high, similar to this example shown on Lonny.
Get Creative
Sometimes it's worth thinking outside the box. Use these ideas to spark your own inventive ways of turning your home library into decor.
In my daughter's room, I use Ikea spice racks as bookshelves, and they work perfectly! I had three of these hard-to-find racks tucked away while I figured out what to do with them. Then one day I had the brilliant idea to hang them in her room for her books.
I love how they look!
Or, these book ledges I put in my youngest daughter's nursery. Aren't they adorable?
Mix & Match with Decorative Accents
Use books to add different shapes, colors, and sizes to your shelves as you style them. You can even combine several of the ideas above on one large wall of shelves, as I did in our living room, if you like!
Related Post: Simple Formulas for Styling Bookshelves
You can display book spines facing in or out to add interest to your interiors, like the bookshelves in my home office!
Where to Find Old Books for Decor
If you're one of those people who lives mostly in the digital world and doesn't own many books but still wants that lived-in look at home, you can pick up books affordably in several places.
Amazon has a huge selection of new and used books. If you're buying books purely for decor, go for used ones to save money.
Here are some good places to start:
- Distressed canvas books
- Books by color
- Stacked farmhouse-style stamped books
Etsy
Etsy is a fun place to hunt for books. Whatever you're after, you're likely to find it there. They sell vintage books, bundles of books, and books made for decorating. Here are a few cute options I like:
- Stamped stacked books
- Color-coordinated books
- More books by color
- Decorative books by the foot
Thrift Stores & Garage Sales
Thrift stores and garage sales often carry books, sometimes really interesting ones, at bargain prices. You might find some fun conversation pieces at your local thrift store or garage sale.
Public Library
Many public libraries hold sales once or twice a year to clear out extra stock. You can find some great books for very little money at these sales.
I hope this book decor inspiration has shown you how easy and beautiful it can be to decorate with books!
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