Instant Décor: Beautiful Book Covers
Turn your reads into style statements for bookcase, tabletop and desk
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design is collected, not decorated, and that homes should always be as comfortable and functional as they are chic. In addition to writing for Houzz, I work as the Head Copywriter for Layla Grayce and Zinc Door.
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design... More »
I'm all for fall cleaning, but if you’ve got a pile of old books you’re ready to dump, hold on for a second. It’s no secret that books can double as décor, but it may be less known that even the “ugly” or “beaten up” ones may be in store for a second life. The answer: book covers.
I'm not talking about the old-grade school textbook covers made from grocery bags; these creative book covers are made by talented artists, each are unique, and all surprisingly affordable. And when you slap them on an outdated book, it will appear like new (and oh-so-charming on your coffee table).
So before you go hauling that big bag of books to a secondhand shop, peruse these options first. You may find yourself pulling out several rediscovered (and eventually, re-covered) decorating gems.
I'm not talking about the old-grade school textbook covers made from grocery bags; these creative book covers are made by talented artists, each are unique, and all surprisingly affordable. And when you slap them on an outdated book, it will appear like new (and oh-so-charming on your coffee table).
So before you go hauling that big bag of books to a secondhand shop, peruse these options first. You may find yourself pulling out several rediscovered (and eventually, re-covered) decorating gems.
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The feminine floral scheme of these paperback book covers by Shanna Vaughn will bring understated romance to your shelves.
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| You could order several book covers in black and white to add to a chic, streamlined look like this one. |
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Or order several in varied shades for a bright, rainbow feel.
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This cloth book cover, made from jungle batik and hand-dyed fabric, is the perfect addition to a room with golds and bold colors that would flourish with a little unexpected plant life.
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Dying for toile in your space but no idea where to stick it? This beautifully crafted toile book cover on a coffee or side table will help you get your fix. And for a much lighter price tag than an entire couch.
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Is your space in serious need of vibrant color? Consider this book cover. This undeniable splash of color will liven any drab interior.
by Kaylovesvintage
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Beautifully covered books look great anywhere, even piled onto the seat of a casual chair.
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by Kaylovesvintage
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| Or as a stand for your table lamp. |
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Animal prints are always chic décor choice, but what about a lion-inspired book cover? This would be a stylish addition to your tablescape.
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You could even sneak in the lion book cover into a display like this one for an unexpected visual treat.
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Kids’ chapter books are always a bit dingy after several handlings and a few wayward food smudges. Make them like new with a playful book cover, like this Red Birds Print option.
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You can never go wrong with stripes, especially bright yellow ones…
by Tamar Schechner
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... it would add just the right topping of extra color on a stack of coffee table books like this.
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These Japanese prints are too beautiful to ignore. Cover a few books with this and place them along a console or in stacks on shelving.
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These book covers are unique in the fact that the artist uses fabric of sentimental value, such as your children’s outgrown clothing, to create these custom covers. She suggests using them for memory books or photo albums, but even covering your child’s favorite book would create a perfect memento.
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Put it in a simple wire basket display for guests to pick up and admire. Accessories with personal touches make homes much more meaningful.
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This artist knows that your standard notebook can be a bit of a bore. Lucky for us, she created reusable notebook covers to spice them up! You can easily leave this out on your desk without anyone knowing the difference between a chic accessory and your everyday planner.
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Is it a purse? Is it a book cover? Who cares. It’s adorable!
Ideabook published on Sept. 28, 2011.
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As an example, I've attached two photos of a book cover for a Family Heritage Album that I did a number of years ago using a photo editing program which was printed off in a Banner format. (I had six to do and the book is approx. 9 1/2" x 11 l/2". The photos are all numbered and chronicled on the inside flap.) The program used was somewhat primitive compared to the options of today but it should give your readers an idea as to what can be done with a bit of patience and little effort.