Bookshelf Styling – What to Do With Books

Sure, we all know the way it sounds to say that books—which have been round since about 500 BC—are formally again, however hear us out: Barnes & Noble is making a significant transfer in 2025, with plans to open 60 new shops. So if books aren’t essentially making a comeback, the shops that promote which are, and we would have TikTok to thank.

“For the reason that rise of BookTok in the course of the pandemic, bookstores have seen a major surge in recognition, particularly amongst younger folks,” Barnes & Noble shared in an interview with Quick Firm. “Our shops have grow to be widespread social spots, providing an expertise that on-line buying merely can’t match.”

And it is not simply massive shops—even indie darlings like Books Are Magic in Brooklyn, NY, opened a second location in 2022 following the success of their first.

For e-book lovers, that is nice information. There’s one thing so great about flipping by way of a bodily e-book, seeing your progress with every turned web page, and—I hope it is not simply me—utilizing an precise bookmark. However right here’s the dilemma: What do you do with all these books when you’ve reached the again cowl?

I used to donate mine or go them off to buddies, however currently, I’ve discovered myself wishing I might attain for a e-book I learn a couple of years in the past. The difficulty is storage. My small New York condominium doesn’t permit for infinite stacks of hardcovers. So, I took a deep dive into bookshelf styling. Right here’s what I discovered:

Begin With A Clean Slate

Take every thing off your cabinets. Sure, every thing. When you’re at it, contemplate beginning a donation pile for these books and random trinkets that one way or the other ended up calling the shelf house. Mud every thing off—books, cabinets, and all. A clear slate makes it simpler to visualise your masterpiece within the making.

Combine Up the Ebook Orientation

When placing the books again up, stack some books vertically, others horizontally. This easy trick provides dimension to your cabinets and retains them from trying too uniform. Plus, these horizontal stacks? Excellent pedestals in your favourite ornamental objects. There’s actually no proper or mistaken approach to go about this. Get funky with it.

Add a Contact of Greenery

Nothing breathes life into an area fairly like crops. In case your cabinets get minimal daylight, go for trendy fake florals (like these from our Store). In any other case, a pothos plant is a perfect low-maintenance possibility that can gracefully drape throughout your cabinets because it grows. Belief me—I don’t have the greenest thumb, and even I can preserve one alive.

To Rainbow or Not?

Ah, the age-old debate: Must you arrange your books by colour? The reply: It’s fully as much as you. Some designers recommend sticking to 2 or three dominant colours for a cohesive look, whereas others swear by the “work with what you’ve acquired” philosophy. Personally, I’ve 35 books in wildly completely different colours that each one want a house, so aesthetics take a again seat to practicality.

Give Your Knickknacks a Dwelling

You realize that TikTok development “Sporting vs. Styling an Outfit”? The identical precept applies to bookshelves. Decorate, decorate, decorate. That quirky journey memento you swore you wanted? These sentimental catch-alls your mother gifted you through the years? They lastly have a spot. Candlesticks, framed images, and vases additionally make for stylish little particulars to enhance your e-book assortment.
So, as bookstores make their triumphant return, let’s have fun by giving our books an area as lovely because the tales they inform.

What’s your favourite e-book proper now? (I assume I might match one other…)