Ways to Decorate with Books

Organizing books according to hue isn’t the newest trick in the book (pun intended), but there’s a reason the trend has stuck around. It can add a visual pop in neutral spaces, or provide an added touch of whimsy when tastes run more eclectic.

We’ve always been taught that it’s what’s inside the book that matters, and you can apply this rule when decorating with books, too. The best illustrations can be found in children’s books, so why not take the family favorites and display them in the nursery or playroom? We promise they’re frame-worthy. Also worth flaunting: eye-catching book covers, facing out on a bookrack rather than shelved with only the spine showing. If ever the “don’t judge a book by its cover” rule should be broken, now’s the time.

Coffee table books are no longer just for the tabletop. From plant stands to nightstands, a good stack of books can serve many purposes.

• Chairish Vintage Books

Buy monochrome set of books to add a touch of warm color to your home. Cherish sells beautiful vintage books singly and by the set.

Books are a great tool to reach for when decorating interiors: They add height, volume, and color to surfaces and spaces that would otherwise seem a little, well, blah. Bring some eye candy and depth to unexpected spots, like under chairs and beds, as with this simple wood-framed daybed.

For the beige-, white-, and black-loving minimalists: The “spine in” book trend might be just the thing for you. Of course, this can’t be for books you plan on reading, but shelving books backwards creates a cohesive, understated, and beautiful look.

When you have the right shelving, books take on a life of their own. They’re no longer just meant to be read, but beg to be appreciated aesthetically, too. With a sculptural shelving unit, like this ultra-chic piece, you can display trinkets, plants, and your favorite reads.

• Geode Bookends, set of 2, $99

Create a decorative (and useful) tabletop sculpture with these gorgeous geode bookends. Made of natural polished agate, each elegant bookend is unique unto itself.