How to Decorate With Books in Your Home, According to Designers
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to elevate your home with something you already own, try using books as decoration.
Using books as decor is the perfect way to make the most of your current collection, whether strategically stacking them to create risers or adding a pop of color.
Plus, it’s a design move many interior designers love.
“Books are a great decor staple—clients often already own some that speak to their personal interests, making a space feel purposeful and personal,” Isy Runsewe, interior designer and founder of New York-based design firm Isy's Interiors, says.
If you want to elevate your space, read on for 10 designer-approved ways to decorate with books.
Meet the Expert
Jamie Pass is an interior designer at Illinois/Florida-based design firm TKS Design Group.
Genevieve Lake is the principal designer and owner of Florida-based design firm Love Lake Studio.
Isy Runsewe is an interior designer and founder of New York-based design firm Isy's Interiors.
Books Inside Faux Fireplace
You can choose to fill a faux fireplace with really anything, but stuffing it with books gives a whimsical, collected look that we absolutely love. Paired with the antique mantel, bust statue, and vintage art, this setup is totally timeless—and we want to copy it immediately.
Books Under a Vase
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Not only does this vase look that much more purposeful when stacked on the books, we love the attention to detail: the books are floral and garden related. Creating these vignettes throughout your home really make it special and personal.
Chic Book Stack on Floor
The Spruce / Jacob Fox
Books on the floor may set off your "clutter" alarm, but don't fret. In lieu of a side table, books can help fill the gap between an armchair and the wall.
Candlesticks on Books
Books make the perfect riser for vintage candlesticks on any mantel, shelf, or built-in. They provide a little height and visual interest to an otherwise solo candlestick that might look out of place without an anchor.
Match Book Colors to the Room
Design by Isy's Interiors / Photo by Kirsten Francis
When decorating with books, consider what the current color scheme of the room is like.
“Pairing books in rooms with similar hues creates a cohesive color scheme and adds an element of color coordination and aesthetic appeal, enhancing the overall ambiance and tying together different design elements,” Runsewe says.
Books Organized By Color or Size
Another simple way to decorate with books is to organize them by color or size. According to Pass, it’s a great way to simplify a busy-looking bookcase.
Once grouped by color, you can rearrange them from the darkest shade to the lightest shade or vice versa, by size, and stacked vertically or horizontally. The options are endless.
Books As a Pop of Color
The Spruce / Jacob Fox
Using books as decoration is the perfect way to complement your space’s color scheme, but it’s also an amazing way to add contrast to a room as well.
“Don't hesitate to make a bold statement with a row of brightly colored books, or a contrasting complementary pop of color should it suit the style and feel of the space,” Runsewe says.
Design Tip
Try gathering colorful coffee table books to make a statement in your living room.
Opt for Vintage Books
Äặng Thanh Tú / Pexels
If you’re looking for new books to use as decor, you don’t always have to run to your closest bookstore to scope out the new arrivals. Consider vintage books to make new use of older items and add a charming touch to your bookshelves.
Jamie Pass, interior designer at Illinois/Florida-based design firm TKS Design Group, recommends vintage book sets like the Time-Life series, which have leather bindings and “add continuity when styling larger shelving units.”
Use Books as Risers
Design by Isy's Interiors / Photo by Majid Aliyev
One practical way to use books as decorations is to utilize them as risers. Stacking a few books together on nightstands, bookshelves, coffee tables, or countertops is a clever way to prop up smaller pieces of decor and make good use of your books.
Runsewe loves strategically stacking books together as risers for items like lamps, vases, or plants. Stacking books underneath items elevate them, adds dimension to the display, and provides a functional solution.
Books Turned Around
Light Field Studios / Getty Images
Whether you like a more minimal look or want a change of pace from your current bookshelf decor, try turning your books around to reveal their pages.
“Displaying the pages of books rather than the spines can create a softer and more visually pleasing look,” Runsewe says. “The texture and color of the pages often have a warmer and more inviting feel compared to the sometimes busy and varied designs of book spines.”
Ditch the Dust Jacket
Image Source / Getty Images
If you want to decorate with books, Genevieve Lake, principal designer and owner of Florida-based design firm Love Lake Studio, recommends starting with hardcover books. And if you want to take it a step further, remove the dust jackets to reveal a more original, old-school look.
“I love that there is a surprise solid color beneath the busy cover sleeves,” Lake says.
Stack Books on Your Nightstand
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Whether you love reading in bed or need a simple bedside decor solution, try stacking books on your nightstand. Not only does it look great, but it can also be functional and give you easy access to your current book rotation, Lake says.
If you don’t currently have a nightstand (and have a lot of books), Lake recommends stacking books together to create a unique bedside table.
Monochromatic Book Covers
If you want to stick to your current collection of books, but are struggling to organize them by color or size, try re-covering them. It’s a simple solution to giving your favorite books a refresh.
For a cohesive look, you can cover your books with white, craft, or colored paper. You can also try using fabric and glue to DIY a new cover. And if you’re willing to spend a little extra, you can order pre-made or custom book covers online.
Book Left Open
Design by Love Lake Studio / Photo by Kris Tamburello
An easy way to decorate with books is to leave one open, according to Lake. Leave a book open to your favorite page on a nightstand or side table. Keeping a book open as decor is also perfect for kitchens. You can use a bookstand and leave the book open on your favorite recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do designers turn books around?
When scrolling through home design inspiration, you might’ve seen some bookshelves with books turned around to show the pages rather than book bindings. According to Runsewe, it’s an intentional move that can “lend a sense of understated elegance and sophistication to the decor.”
“It adds a subtle element of texture and interest without overwhelming the visual space,” Runsewe says. “If your interior scheme is more minimalist or you’re seeking simplicity and calm, don’t hesitate to turn your books around.”
How can you stack books for decoration?
Stacking books for decoration can be a design hack that’s just as stylish as it is functional. According to Runsewe, stacking books under items can elevate them to different heights and add dimension to your current display. To start, you always want to stack from the largest to the smallest book from the bottom up to create a nice base for the item you’re elevating, Lake says.
“This technique not only maximizes the visual impact of decorative items but also adds versatility to the arrangement,” Runsewe says. “By incorporating books as risers, you create visually dynamic displays while optimizing space utilization in a practical manner.”
Read Next: 10 Ways to Organize Your Books
Read the original article on The Spruce.
