The absolute best spaces tell the story of who resides there. Clever decor personalises a room and creates a unique vibe that can’t be replicated because it is individual to the people that call it home.
The very BEST decorating accessory to help achieve this is books. Why, you ask? Because;
Books are both beautiful and beneficial.
Books are one of the simplest and easiest items to incorporate into a room.
Books add personality and soul to a space.
Books work no matter what style you love.
Now I know not everybody reads, but I am yet to meet someone that does not love beautiful images, especially of things that interest them. You don’t need a library filled to the brim, but the strategic placement of a stack here or there can make an amazing difference, I promise!
There loads of different ways to use your favourite books to add volumes of style to your space…….
Perfect Harmony
An easy way to create a symmetrical coffee-table arrangement; Place a low stack of books in each corner, then add a few decorative objects, you know the drill. This creates an anchor for your display that’s both visually soothing and interesting. Using books that coordinate with the colors of the room creates harmony whilst the alternative can introduce an accent colour and inject interest into the display.
An Ever-Changing Gallery
When a book’s cover is a work of art, flaunt it. Use narrow shelves to create a gallery. Facing your books outward on your shelf is equivalent to hanging a print or painting. It’s a no nails way to add wall art that is fast, easily changeable, and such an simple idea to brighten, soften or refresh the style of your space.
Create Balance
Books work great to fill the gaps in vignettes. Layered horizontally, books can help fill a large space whilst instantly creating an interesting, extra surface to decorate. Added vertically they introduce height and hard covers can become a pedestal for other decor creating visual weight. Do you have a collection of books? Group them all together in a wire basket or stand them alone with attractive bookends on a table, buffet or a night stand. Also keep in mind that when filling shelves you have the option to intersperse horizontal stacks of varying height among the vertical rows. Stack everything from ceramic vessels to family photos atop the shorter piles or in the space between titles to add interest and dimension.
In a Linear Lineup
Lay books or magazines out along a sofa table, stool or at the foot of the bed so at a glance you can you peruse your selection before curling up to read. Evenly spaced stacks look super stylish lined up along a bench and help exaggerate horizontal and vertical line by guiding the eye along.
Adding Colour
If you’re like me and own shelves full of stories, there is the option to organise your books by jacket colour to visually coordinate the spines. Sorting your covers from dark to through to light produces an gentle ombré effect. I’ve seen book titles disguised by covering to establish a more specific colour palette to a space. Newspaper, sheet music, paper or fabric can all be used effectively, or for an aged, vintagy, neutral vibe you could always remove the cover altogether……
Coax the Eye to a Comfy Corner
If you do love to read, create a reminder to stop and enjoy your books. I am guilty of getting super busy and forgetting to make time for reading, so lately I have pulled a few titles off the shelf and arranged them on a side table next to a comfy chair. Books placed in plain sight with a few flipped open to gorgeous pages, are sure to draw both you, your friends and your family in.
All images via Pinterest and Instagram
The invention of digital reading, whilst practical, makes me sad. One can no longer borrow or share their latest discovery and lost is the ability to glance at a friends bedside stash and sneak a peak at what they are currently reading. Books can provide a subconscious glimpse into a persons character, a tell tale sign of what they love, instant insight into their hopes and dreams and sometimes their hidden desires…. 😉
A home is not complete without books so please don’t keep them hidden, put them on display and instantly infuse soul into your space!
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