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Paperback Books Get a Second Look
Hardcover books get all the decorating love, but paperbacks as a design accessory can hold their own in any room
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications and websites such as Houzz, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating... More »
I'll confess: For years, I was a hardback snob. If a volume that I wanted came only in paperback form, I'd borrow it again and again from the library rather than buy it for my bookshelves. Favorite paperbacks from my student days, which I couldn't quite discard, got shoved into an armoire in the guest bedroom — a thoughtful touch for visitors who might long for a good read, I convinced myself.
And then I got over it. Life's too short to curtail a book collection solely because of binding. Although I still love the clean, crisp look of hardbacks — and my local library branch — I've started looking for opportunities to display my growing assortment of paperbacks in a way that shows them at their humble best. Here's a peek at the design ideas that have inspired me.
And then I got over it. Life's too short to curtail a book collection solely because of binding. Although I still love the clean, crisp look of hardbacks — and my local library branch — I've started looking for opportunities to display my growing assortment of paperbacks in a way that shows them at their humble best. Here's a peek at the design ideas that have inspired me.
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| A simple stack of books rounds out this whimsical vignette. There's nothing accidental about these selections — notice how they're roughly the same size and conform to a narrow palette. Attention to details like that elevates the arrangement. |
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I am so stealing this idea. Grouping books by color adds up to a gorgeous, graduated rainbow effect that showcases even the most unassuming of paperbacks in their best light. Genius!
| Another interesting approach to using books as a design element: turning paperbacks so that their pages face outward. To me, this feels like a novel (sorry) take on the classic designer's trick of covering books in white paper for a uniform look. |
by Aristea Rizakos
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Hardbacks might read (double sorry) as too stiff for this rustic space. Instead, floating shelves hold a tumble of paperbacks that look and feel exactly right against the brick wall.
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Stacks of paperbacks at the foot of the bed help to shake up this room's formality and symmetry. They also enliven the color scheme in much the same way as a piece of art might do.
by Kaylovesvintage
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The idea of turning chairs into bookshelves isn't new, but this take on it feels unusually fun and fresh to me. Paperbacks are piled on the little round stool like sweets on a cake plate, with a handful more tucked into the glass case. It's a simple, unstudied approach to decorating that has its own low-key charm.
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Old phone books, chic? Believe it. Massed tightly along a wall, they create graphic and textural interest. The soft covers bend slightly to create a sense of movement — hardbacks would feel much more rigid.
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Quick, where are the books in this room? If you didn't see them at first, you're probably not alone. Although they're limited to a couple of slim stacks amid decorative objects on the shelves, the orange and white covers really tie together the palette.
More:
24 Amazing Walls of Books
Create a Place for Books
Beautiful Modern Home Libraries
DIY Project: Vintage Book Wallpaper
More:
24 Amazing Walls of Books
Create a Place for Books
Beautiful Modern Home Libraries
DIY Project: Vintage Book Wallpaper
Comments
housecat How do you find your books if the spines are facing in?! Great pics otherwise.
15 months ago · Like
Lisa Frederick Ha - good question, housecat. I'd have to imagine that they're books you don't intend to read again, or else you don't mind spending time looking through them to find the right one.
15 months ago · Like
Ann Smitt Housecat, I was thinking the same thing. I like to see the book's spines and I love facing books forward to admire the artwork on the covers.
15 months ago · Like
wandm Lots of good ideas here. I love to see books in homes. I have them in almost every room, making sure they complement the room. But my single biggest pet peeve is turning the spine to the wall or dressing them in matching covers. I think pottery barn started that trend and I can't believe anyone who actually reads books would do it.
15 months ago · Like
tincan I've tried the "rainbow" (color co-ordinating books)...good luck in finding the book you want at the moment....that would go for the books put in backward. I do confess I fell for the uniformity and the color was fun...but if you are a real book lover, you want to find the book you want with out a lot of hassel. Covering books in brown paper (or your choice...make it rainbow!) and writing the title, then organizing by subject would work, IF you want to spend that time at it. I'd rather be reading! Besides if books are such a love, they look beautiful on the shelves all mix-match color and size.
15 months ago · Like
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Bencar Building Systems, LLC Some great ideas but the books at the foot of the bed and on the chair would just make me feel like I'm too lazy to put them in my bookcase. I can picture the dust piling up on them already!
15 months ago · Like
A & D Glass Inc. Here's a wonderful video for booklovers that my best friend, a librarian, sent to me. I agree that I can't display them spine in, or by color. But I do love my iPad and Kindle, so what am I going to do now?!
15 months ago · Like
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bdarrow Love my book cradles for my mystery series paperbacks! 
15 months ago · Like
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luvscout Sorry if anyone is offended but, I like my paperbacks behind closed cabinet doors. I line my books up in the order of what to read next. Of course I do spend time arranging them because I've changed my mind. Since I live in a smaller condo, paperbacks are shared. Our condo library has a swap area. I have found such coveted books there that I'm happy to return the favor by putting my lastest titles down there when I finish. I admitt that I do go to check how fast they get snapped up. It makes me happy when they're gone in a few hours.
15 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on Feb. 25, 2012.
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