If you read this blog often, you’ve probably noticed I love decorating. After years of arranging and styling our home, one accessory stands out above the rest: books. We don’t only love reading them — we love how they look in our rooms. Books bring color, texture and personality to a space, and they never go out of style. In my opinion, they’re the perfect accessory.
Collecting books is enjoyable because they work in every room and can be arranged in countless ways. Move them from shelf to table, sort them by topic or color, stack them, lean them or leave them casually scattered. They are incredibly versatile, and they’re meaningful too. The titles on your shelves say something about you and your family. Surrounding yourself with objects you love is what makes a house feel like a home.
I enjoy browsing bookstores — there’s something calming about wandering the aisles. A bookstore opens up the world: new places, fresh ideas and different cultures. I’m drawn to decorating books and cookbooks, but what I truly savor is the visual appeal of covers, fonts and color combinations. When shopping for home accents, I’m more likely to leave with an attractive book than a trinket. Books feel like a purchase that keeps giving.
Our home holds a wide variety of books. My husband collects study materials, Bible commentaries, science fiction and reference books for his ministry work. I have decorating books, resources on marriage and family, homemaking and gardening guides, plus books by friends and piles of magazines. We use Kindles and tablets, but nothing replaces the look and feel of a real hardcover. A home filled with books feels warmer and more personal.
Books can also elevate decor. I often stack books to raise accessories or create pleasing layers on a console table.
Some sit within easy reach of the sofa so I can relax and flip through favorites.
Others are casually piled around the house, adding a lived-in, cozy feel.
When our puppies were young, we kept books in a wire basket to protect them from curious teeth. A few chewed corners later, and those well-loved books earned extra charm.
I tuck books into unexpected places and move them around on a whim. They bring interest to every corner.
My office holds many books that inspire my work and spark new ideas.
Sometimes I pile books on the mantel to add color and create the feeling of a cozy afternoon by the fire — even if that afternoon only exists in my imagination.
Books add warmth when mixed with other accessories, so I often combine them with ceramics, vases and decorative objects.
Instead of switching out a lot of themed decor for the seasons, I’ll often rearrange books to suit a color palette or mood for the holidays.
Everyone in our family keeps reading material by their bed. I never refuse a good book — seeing my son’s stacked nightstand makes me happy, but it’s even better when I catch him reading.
