I love books. Just having them near me gives me comfort. I feel cozy and at home with books. And seeing them displayed in a way that is aesthetically pleasing to me fills me with joy.
Even if you don't have a passion for books, I am willing to bet you have some in your home. Let them become part of your home décor. It doesn't take a long time to display them in a way that is beautiful and may even encourage more reading.
Mix it Up
When decorating a bookshelf it is not a requirement to have every shelf filled with books. Have fun moving things around and mixing up the books with items that mean something to you. I have a photo of my mom and a candle that reminds me of the perfume she used to wear next to a stack of books. On another shelf, I have a wooden box that belonged to my grandpa, filled with photos, next to several upright books. Don't just let the books tell a story, let your shelves tell one too.
In the photo above the books are turned around so you see the pages instead of the spine. This gives a clean and cohesive look. I love how they added a plant, a basket, a box, and even a bowl (which could be filled with little trinkets that have meaning - or your car keys!). There is also a lot of negative space which keeps it from being cluttered and allows you to see and enjoy all the items displayed.
Window Stack
Photo by Florencia Viadana
There is something so appealing about seeing a stack of books on a windowsill. The books on the sill by themselves may convey overflow, but add a few knick-knacks or a small framed photo or two and it becomes intentional. It becomes part of your style.
Cover Them
Photo by Joyce McCown
When you want to create a certain look for your room and books fill the space well, but they clash with your color palette, a good way to remedy this is to cover them. You know, how you did way back in the day when schools issued books and required you to cover them. Like that.
If you're decorating your room in black and white, pink and purple, navy and coral, and the books clash with your style, cover them and display them on a shelf, a desk, or a table.
Embellishments
Photo by Paige Cody
Adding some embellishments to an old stack of books adds to their original beauty and draws the eye to them. If your style is Shabby Chic or Vintage the above is a lovely visual to add to your home.
Not only is bundling books and adding little embellishments a gorgeous way to decorate, but it's also a great idea when giving them as a gift. Wrap them with twine, add a couple of flowers, and put them in a basket with a bookmark, a reading light, and a box of chocolates and you have a great present.
Table Stack
Photo by Tim Wildsmith
Whether it's a stack of books or a single book on an end table, having them next to where you relax prompts a reading session.
They also make for great conversation pieces. Even if you don't like having anything on your surfaces, pulling a book out on a subject you enjoy before having company come over and putting it on a table reflects some of your interests and cozies up your home.
Add a Little Art
Photo by Annie Spratt
One of my favorite ways to decorate bookshelves is to include art. Sometimes the art is a piece I have done myself, a print from one of my favorite artists, or the cover of the book itself.
There are several ways to do this such as filling a shelf with books and then leaning the art, or book, in front of the row (as pictured above), using a plate stand to prop the painting on next to a row of books, or stacking books flat and placing the art on the top book allowing it to lean against the back of the shelf.
Plants and Books
Photo by Sandra Martins
Placing plants on or around your books just feels natural. Maybe it's because they're both living things (although in completely different ways) or maybe it's because they both add warmth to a home. Whatever it is, they seem to go hand in hand.
Not all the plants have to be real either. I have many fake plants, and six of them are spread between two of my bookcases. Tall plants, short plants, succulents...a little greenery goes a long way.
The Library Look
My grandma turned one of her spare bedrooms into a little library. I cannot count the number of times I went into that room just to look at all the books, occasionally pulling one out to flip through the pages.
Even though each shelf was filled end to end, she displayed ancestral items on top of the bookcases and hung pictures of her parents and grandparents on the walls adding to the ambiance of the room. It was cozy.
If adding embellishments or plants or memorabilia with your books isn't your thing or something you have time to figure out, filling the shelves with books by color or size will give an added boost to the appearance of your space.
I hope you are inspired to fix up your shelves and in the process pull out a book and give yourself 15 minutes (or more) every day to read.
Have a great week!
Rebecca ~
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