If you're like me, you have a lot of books. I have art books, photo books, cook books, fashion books, books about cookies, books about Japanese street art, and so, so many more. Books obviously have a very functional use. But when you are not actively using and reading them, they make for great styling pieces to add interest to so many spaces in your home. Here are three examples…
1. Use books to add height. When styling a credenza or other wide area, I like mixing both decorative and functional objects. It's always most pleasing to the eye to add a cluster of items in different heights. Adding books underneath one or more objects helps to add height and give more emphasis to a decorative piece.
Props: Famille Summerbelle print, vintage credenza.
2. Use books to fill space. Sometimes, an area of your room feels empty and needs a little something to add some interest to an otherwise empty space. Here's a place where you can add a stack of books. It adds interest without making it too cluttered. Plus, it can help you group together certain types of books that you may use more often in that space (like interior or craft books in your living room or cooking books in your dining room).
Props: Eric Trine stand, Aelfie rug, Bryr clogs, Target lamp, Target clock, Oh Joy! for Target table, Arro Home pillow.
3. Use books to add interest and variety. Normally, you might put all your books on one shelf and fill each shelf back-to-back with books. But books don't have to be stored all by themselves! By mixing both your books and your decorative options, you're not only storing the books but also giving some visual space for all of these items to breathe by breaking them up.
Props: Target bookshelf, World Market paper weight, Jenny Vorwaller painting, Lulie Wallace painting, Target canister, Schoolhouse Electric lightbulb.
Now there's no reason not to have your books making their debut all around your house, especially when they are as beautiful as they are functional!
{Photos by Casey Brodley, prop styling by Julia Wester. Props from intro photo: Justina Blakeney wall paper, Vanessa Bean vases.}
This is a great idea, at the moment I have books just piled on the floor. Makes me look a bit crazy. All I need is a few cats…
What a beautifully photographed and written post! Well done. I’ll definitely be sharing.
Carrie
http://www.wearwherewell.com
Books are some of my all time FAVORITE things to decorate with!
Last Christmas, my husband bought me a vintage set of Jane Austen novels, and I love displaying them, along with my fave coffee table books! Definitely adds character and dimension to any space!
Love these ideas too, and see some new books I need to pick up!
xoxo,
Cortney
A Whimsy Wonderland
Books are some of my all time FAVORITE things to decorate with!
Last Christmas, my husband bought me a vintage set of Jane Austen novels, and I love displaying them, along with my fave coffee table books! Definitely adds character and dimension to any space!
Love these ideas too, and see some new books I need to pick up!
xoxo,
Cortney
A Whimsy Wonderland
Books are some of my all time FAVORITE things to decorate with!
Last Christmas, my husband bought me a vintage set of Jane Austen novels, and I love displaying them, along with my fave coffee table books! Definitely adds character and dimension to any space!
Love these ideas too, and see some new books I need to pick up!
xoxo,
Cortney
A Whimsy Wonderland
Books are some of my all time FAVORITE things to decorate with!
Last Christmas, my husband bought me a vintage set of Jane Austen novels, and I love displaying them, along with my fave coffee table books! Definitely adds character and dimension to any space!
Love these ideas too, and see some new books I need to pick up!
xoxo,
Cortney
A Whimsy Wonderland
Books are some of my all time FAVORITE things to decorate with!
Last Christmas, my husband bought me a vintage set of Jane Austen novels, and I love displaying them, along with my fave coffee table books! Definitely adds character and dimension to any space!
Love these ideas too, and see some new books I need to pick up!
xoxo,
Cortney
A Whimsy Wonderland
Books are some of my all time FAVORITE things to decorate with!
Last Christmas, my husband bought me a vintage set of Jane Austen novels, and I love displaying them, along with my fave coffee table books! Definitely adds character and dimension to any space!
Love these ideas too, and see some new books I need to pick up!
xoxo,
Cortney
A Whimsy Wonderland
Books are some of my all time FAVORITE things to decorate with!
Last Christmas, my husband bought me a vintage set of Jane Austen novels, and I love displaying them, along with my fave coffee table books! Definitely adds character and dimension to any space!
Love these ideas too, and see some new books I need to pick up!
xoxo,
Cortney
A Whimsy Wonderland
Books are some of my all time FAVORITE things to decorate with!
Last Christmas, my husband bought me a vintage set of Jane Austen novels, and I love displaying them, along with my fave coffee table books! Definitely adds character and dimension to any space!
Love these ideas too, and see some new books I need to pick up!
xoxo,
Cortney
A Whimsy Wonderland
Books are some of my all time FAVORITE things to decorate with!
Last Christmas, my husband bought me a vintage set of Jane Austen novels, and I love displaying them, along with my fave coffee table books! Definitely adds character and dimension to any space!
Love these ideas too, and see some new books I need to pick up!
xoxo,
Cortney
A Whimsy Wonderland
Books are some of my all time FAVORITE things to decorate with!
Last Christmas, my husband bought me a vintage set of Jane Austen novels, and I love displaying them, along with my fave coffee table books! Definitely adds character and dimension to any space!
Love these ideas too, and see some new books I need to pick up!
xoxo,
Cortney
A Whimsy Wonderland
Love this. I have books every where. The idea of using them as decoration rather than something that has to be stored away is such a nice idea – thank you!
– Natalie
http://www.workovereasy.com
great post! love the 2 character vases, esp the baby confetti one.. where are they from?
The vases are by Vanessa Bean:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/vanessabeanshop
Best!
Joy
Fantastic ideas. Thanks for the gloriously colourful photos. Books are one of my favourite decorations because they don’t just look amazing, they give people a glimpse into your interests and offer a way to express yourself in your space.
I love, and agree with, all of these great ideas!
Also, I love how colorful your home is!
Just ordered the bookshelf featured in this post! I’ve been looking for a new bookshelf for our house and this is perfect. Thanks Oh Joy!
Oh great! We love it!
Joy
I love this! I’m a book hoarder, I have a serious problem. I like to pretend it’s just a collection, haha. But I’m also a pretty neat person and sometime books can look like clutter if you’re not careful!
These are some great ideas!