Fall Nesting Tip #15: Bring in the books!
Books are one of the easiest and most inviting ways to decorate every room in your home, including the kitchen and dining room. Surrounding yourself with books encourages you to live in each space: rooms with books feel lived-in, warm, and welcoming. Without them, a space can feel stiff and impersonal.
I love being able to flop down in a corner and reach for a stack of books. They invite leisurely moments, quiet reading, and make a room feel cozy and personal—plus, they don’t hurt your intellectual image either.
Books work wonderfully in the kitchen. In my previous kitchen I installed a bookcase in the island, and it quickly became one of the room’s most used and remarked-upon features. It made the kitchen feel comfortable and lived-in, and it encouraged grabbing a cookbook or favorite novel while cooking.
my old kitchen
In my current kitchen I’m already using a cabinet to hold books, and I plan to add more as I continue to personalize and decorate the space. Books can be displayed in so many ways—neatly shelved, casually stacked, or tucked into unexpected nooks—each approach adds texture and interest.
my new kitchen
Mary Jane McCarty, Country Living
A dining room doubled as a library is another lovely option. Dining rooms often see little daily use, so lining the walls with bookshelves transforms the space into something charming and functional—a place for meals, conversation, and reading.
Books invite you to settle in with a warm mug and read away an afternoon. They contribute color, pattern, and personality to a room and are simple to rearrange as your tastes change.
Whether displayed in built-in bookcases, freestanding cabinets, or grouped in casual stacks on tables and floors, books are a perfect fall decorating accessory. If you’re just starting a collection, thrift stores and secondhand shops are great sources for hardcover books at budget-friendly prices.
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To catch up on more fall decorating ideas and related posts, browse the seasonal decorating archives on the original site.
PS. There are sometimes sweepstakes and giveaways that can help you grow your book collection—if you come across an opportunity, consider entering. If you don’t enter, you can’t win!
Lastly, I have a BIG surprise to share on Friday!
Keep adding to and reading the procrastinator posts—there’s been a lot of fun content, and everything wraps up on Friday.