Books have a way of adding comfort and interest to any room. They can make you feel at home or remind you of great times, places, and people. Whether they are stacked on a floor-to-ceiling bookcase or displayed artfully in wicker baskets, books make beautiful accessories for your farmhouse home. Here are my favorite ways to decorate your home with books.
I love the way old books look and feel. In the past couple of years, I have developed a habit of scouring second-hand stores for vintage books to add to my collection. And best of all, they’re cheap! If you ask my husband about any of this, I will absolutely deny it. We can’t even talk about the time when I brought home an entire van load of vintage books.
Decorating with Bookshelves
Bookshelves are also the best method for storing all your books in one place where they can be easily accessed when you want them. It is nice to surround yourself with the things you love, and books are a part of that.
A book can be a decorating accessory no matter where it is displayed, but there are certain guidelines to follow for the best end result. They should look as if they were placed on a particular shelf by purposeful design rather than haphazardly placed where they won’t fit anywhere else.
Decorating with Stacks of Books
Stacks of books are visually appealing, but they are especially nice if you have a lot of large bookcases. Place one stack on each shelf for that look of casual organization. If there are just a few narrow shelves available, place the stacks directly across from each other so the spines face outward for a symmetrical look which is very appealing.
Long bookcases are perfect for storing large books or objects which can be stood upright. If you have a lot of these large items, the effect is similar to having built-in shelves without any work on your part. Just line up the larger items between the smaller books, and it gives the appearance of being very organized with everything at your fingertips.
Decorating with Old Books
Old books add charm and character to any room, but their appearance can change over time. If you have a lot of antique or vintage books with yellowed pages, cracked spines, and torn covers, it isn’t necessary to get rid of them even though they might not be able to hold up well in a bookcase anymore.
Place the books throughout your room on shelves, tabletops, or mantels. You can also use one large stack of vintage books on a shelf to create an interesting focal point. Stack them in various ways to add some height and visual interest while using the spines for decoration.
Books don’t have to be placed horizontally all the time. If you don’t have enough books to create a tall stack, place them on their side and lean them up against the wall. It is especially nice for leather-bound books since it shows off the beautiful cover even more than just laying it flat. One large book wrapped in cloth looks great as a short pedestal at the corner of a table or mantel, and it will surely impress your guests.
Decorating with Books on Tables
A stack of books is a beautiful way to decorate any table. Place them on top of each other at different angles for visual interest, and this method is especially nice for larger books. You can also stack them on the floor around a table, but this doesn’t look as elegant as having them sit on top of the table.
Books are great accessories on side tables, nightstands, coffee tables, and anywhere else you may place a lamp or other decor. They can be used to hold drinks or snacks on one of the shelves, but they should only be stacked on top of each other if there is nothing placed inside them. Otherwise, it is important that they remain upright to keep them safe and in good condition. Taller bookcases are great for this type of placement since you can place objects on the shelves or stack books depending on how much room is available.
Book Displays
If you don’t have a lot of space, but want to arrange your books for display they look nice placed all around the room. Books are naturally beautiful, and their colors and designs make them perfect for decorating.
Don’t be afraid to tuck some books inside your dining room hutch, display your favorite cookbooks neatly on your countertop, place your favorite poetry volumes on the coffee table. I hope these tips help you to create your own displays of books everywhere in your home!
For more ideas for decorating your home with books, take a peek at my Pinterest Board.
