Showcasing Books in Decor

Cicero once wrote “A home without books is like a body without a soul”.  Books not only make us better, smarter, more mindful people; but books can also enhance the look of any room!  In honor of National Reading Month this March, we wanted to highlight the various ways books can make your home look ‘smart’ – in every sense of the word.

Let’s start with books in an unexpected spot – the kitchen.  In the photo below, a metal book tower showcases an array of favorite hardcovers.  This homeowner is lucky enough to have a kitchen nook that is perfect for reading, but this vertical bookshelf would still look great in a more traditional kitchen layout.

Of course, cookbooks are the book of choice in most kitchens.  Whether The Joy of Cooking or Modernist Cuisine, your cookbooks are a great way to add personality to your kitchen.  In the photo below, we created cookbook shelves within the island’s custom cabinetry.  If you don’t have the space for a whole bookshelf, a single cookbook can be displayed on a bookstand as seen in the following photo.

A book can be used as an objet d’art… something pretty to add to the overall look of a room.  Books can make powerful décor pieces due to their repetition of color.  Monochromatic stacks of book, as seen below in white, add a sense of order and organization to a room.  Varied colors of books, as seen in the following photo, add creativity and whimsy to a room.  Both of the photos below show books placed on their side, which creates a less expected silhouette and allows the books to become more of a focal point than in a traditional bookshelf.

When designing and decorating your home, be sure to consider options beyond framed art.  Mixing books with decorative pieces allows you to display your favorite 3-D art in a less formal way.  In the photo below, books are interspersed with other items including plants, globes and decorative boxes.  While adding to the overall look, each shelf has its own style.  This makes it easier to rotate out different pieces with the changing of seasons or the changing of décor.

Few design choices are more personal or inspiring than having your beloved books artfully incorporated into the décor of your home.  Booklovers, rejoice!