The Book Lover’s Guide to Home Decor: Book Decor Ideas You’ll Want!
Upgrade your home decor game with our book decor ideas! From repurposing old books into decor to creating a cozy reading nook, we’ve got all the inspiration you need to make your home a reflection of your love for literature.
Book Decor Ideas in Your Home Decor
After you get done reading a book (and it’s not the Kindle version!) what do YOU do with the said book?
Do you toss it in the “already read” pile underneath a pile of newspapers?
Or perhaps you give it to a friend to read.
Honestly, there is no “right” or “wrong” way (in my own opinion!) on what you should or should not do with a book you no longer have a “reading” use for.
However, you know me, I’d rather put it to good use if I can.
I’m all about multi-purposing 😉
Here are a few ways that I like to use books in my home decor that I’ve finished reading, found interesting for one reason or another, or just plain “acquired” somehow:
1.) Put them underneath home decor pieces for a bit of texture and/or height.
I just love my seashell, but it looked too plain jane for me. So, I added a few books, and *poof* it looks just lovely again!
2.) Turn them around.
Not a fan of the color or title? Show off the page side instead with a more suitable blank/lighter color.
3.) Tie them up!
Add a little bit of twine or yarn or whatever you have on hand, and wrap those bad boys up. They can definitely be displayed both horizontally or vertically.
4.) Paint them.
I wasn’t a fan of the maroon color on a particular book so I painted it to match my decor.
How do you paint books?
First, I know it is very shocking. You might want to preserve the integrity of the original book cover. If that’s the case, you can always just create your own DIY book jacket.
But if the book isn’t of any consequence to you, and you really just want it to match your room, you can paint it.
Use acrylic paint and be careful not to paint the book shut. Let it dry completely between coats if it needs more than one coat of paint.
5.) Open it up.
Display your book propped open or even standing up like the picture below for an interesting visual.
6.) Use as fillers.
Do you have an empty space on a shelf, and you’re unsure what to do? Add books! They come in so many different sizes, shapes, and colors (or you can paint them!) so feel free to use your imagination.
7.) Stack them up.
If you are going to stack your books, do them from largest to smallest so they stack better.
Book Decor Ideas in Your Home Decor
8.) Use them in a place you wouldn’t normally put them.
For example: inside of a birdcage
9.) Switch it up with both vintage and new versions in a row.
The variety of old and new will add texture and variety to your bookshelf.
10.) Display in baskets, boxes, and other containers.
They can add variety to normal containers like these.
Where or how do you like to decorate with books in your home?
Also, below you’ll find more home decorating inspiration. My biggest advice for beginners – let your imagination run free! Decorate your home to reflect you and you will love where you live.
So, if you loved these ideas then you’ll definitely want to browse some of my other Decor posts that are full of gorgeous ideas as well! Can’t wait to see you again!
I’m a book lover too! What wonderful ideas – I especially like the thought of displaying them in a basket, not only as decor but then an easy way to grab a book and start reading. I give a lot of my books away when I’m done with them but I have those ones I love and keep around. Thanks so much for the tips!
Yay! So happy to “meet” you, Victoria. I am most definitely a bookworm at heart, and so glad you love these ideas too 🙂
These are great tips! I will be referring to this later because I have a ton of books collecting dust!
That happens a lot at my house too! Gotta keep moving them around 😉
I love this post! I love the idea of painting them!
Thanks for linking up with us at the Best of the Blogosphere! Be sure to stop back by next week!
Thanks so much, Amber! And I most definitely will 🙂
Clever tricks! I have a few books on my shelf that could be used as decor as well, will definitely using your advice. Thanks for sharing this with us on #shinebloghop
Thanks, Maria! I hope a few of them will work out great for you 🙂
I love books. You presented some great ways to use them.
I especially like the ones in the basket.
Bev
Who knew that books could be so versatile? 😉 Thanks for stopping by, Beverly!
Oh Lz, I love these! I am a huge lover of reading and old books and use them all the time in my home. You’ve done a gorgeous job of including them! Thank you so much for linking these up to our Bewitchin’ Projects Block Party last week. You are one of my Features tomorrow over at Recreated Designs. Have a wonderful week! Hugs, Lisa
Yay!! So excited that you love these ideas, and can’t wait to see the feature 🙂
I really would love to do the books in the wire basket. Found you at the Shine hop. Thanks for the beautiful ideas!
Carrie
Hi Carrie! Thank you so much for stopping by, and definitely try the basket idea. It works well in any room for sure 🙂
What great decor ideas. I definitely have tons of books I could use! Glad to see you link up #HomeMattersParty
I just love items like books that are super versatile. Who knew they’d be amazing to read AND look at 😉
Cool post LZ! I’ve never ever thought about displaying books like this. Thanks.
Hi Heather! Thank you and have a great weekend 🙂
Oh these are wonderful ideas. I have so many books and I’d love to spread them around our home.
Definitely a million ways you could use them in any room of your home! Have fun 🙂
Thank you sooooo much for posting this. We have SO MANY Books! And how many bookcases can a person really have? Thanks for bringing this to #SaucySaturdays.
Lol. Well, you could have a lot, but then your house would look just plain messy! That’s what my house looked like at first, but now… they’re piled and decorating every surface instead! So happy to help 😉
I love this! Thanks for the fun ideas. I’m obsessed with books. They cover my house but not in pretty ways like you have shown here :). I’ll have to try some of these tips.
Hi Candace! Happy to help 🙂