10 Bestselling Ways to Decorate With Books
Start a new style chapter with shelves and arrangements that show off your literary side
Just like throw pillows, floral centerpieces and wall treatments, bookshelves and book displays can show our allegiance to a decorative style and ethos. Some of us are meticulous collectors of hard-to-find first editions and hardback copies, which we proudly display in high-traffic areas, while others prefer the candy-colored appeal of paperbacks. And then there are others who buy secondhand books and magazines by the bushel and by spine color to fill shelf space in libraries. Whether you love to read or simply enjoy the look of books, you're sure to find inspiration in the arrangements below.
| Tilted. The jagged edges and tilted shelving units make this custom bookshelf a conversation piece. I'd love the display even more if it didn't have a massive TV in front of it. But the arrangement inspires the question: Would you rather read Shakespeare's work or watch Shakespeare in Love? |
by Chris A. Dorsey
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Modular. Book lovers with modern leanings will love the modular design of this stackable Cloud unit, with circular cubbies that are wide enough to house coffee table books. The Cloud's double-faced design lets you reach for books from both sides of the unit when it's freestanding and not against a wall.
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| Stacked. Interior designer Abigail Ahern displays stacks of books on her kitchen island countertop. The unconventional placement isn't for everybody, but it's the perfect choice for Ahern's rock 'n' roll lifestyle and for those who use the kitchen less for cooking and more often as a place to unpack ready-made food from a catering company. |
Curved and built in. A curved basement hallway doubles its cool factor with this curved built-in wall. Instead of regressing into the wall, the shelving unit swells and invites passersby to reach out and grab a book.
Shelved. A floor-to-ceiling library wall in this office on Manhattan's Upper East Side keeps favorite titles handy and draws attention to the high ceiling.
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| Upcycled. A terrarium protects and displays antique books in this Los Angeles home. The book arrangement complements the vintage cottage look of the house. |
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| Remembered. If you're looking for a way to upcycle book covers long since separated from their pages, consider this craft maven's DIY. She shows off treasured family photos by pasting them onto discarded book covers, adding texture and interest to an otherwise staid wall — and giving new life to the book covers. |
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| Color coordinated. The custom shelving unit and the book styling in this traditional living room are stunning. The designer grounds the space with neutral furnishings and layers on splashes of color by way of book spines. |
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| Orange books add pops of color in this traditional home's hallway library. The tangerine splashes add visual interest without overwhelming the all-white space. |
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| Piled low. Here, a low pile of books draws the eye to a gorgeous yellow urn. Although placing the urn in one of the shelving units is definitely a safer alternative, it's not nearly as unique or visually interesting. |
Ready for reading. The book display in this hip contemporary bedroom is perfect for people who read before going to sleep — and who always forget where they left off. The display's design lets you hang the book according to the last page you've read and call it a night.
More:
Afternoon Project: Declutter Your Bookshelves
More:
Afternoon Project: Declutter Your Bookshelves
Ideabook published on Sept. 12, 2012.
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If I ever get my hands on a house, instead of small apartments where I have lived my entire life, I am doing some built-ins. Until then, I am IKEA girl. Some good ideas here, thanks.
i'd love to see more ideas on shelving systems, or how to integrate other collections into a library. the idea of hanging books by your bedside is intriguing, until you realize you'll destroy the book in no time - the pressure on the book spine will break easily break it.
However, if you are buying books by the bushel...by all means color coordinate or do what a decorator did years ago...cover the books in brown wrapping paper and stick a white tag on the spine to identify the author/title. I admit it was stunning...although a bit labor intensive.
Lastly, might I suggest a bookmark. Just tuck it in the last page you read and lay the book on the night table/floor. It's better for the book...and you won't hit your head on the pegs sticking out of the wall.
I loved the colour co-ordinated books, might try that one day but just at the moment having them on the shelf is enough.
I will never comprehend the colour-coded book trend. How on earth does one find what she's looking for? This bibliophile is baffled...