IIf you’ve read this blog for a while, you’ve probably noticed one constant: I love decorating. Over seven years of blogging I’ve kept coming back to my favorite decorating element—books. We don’t just enjoy reading them; we love how they look in our home. Books bring color, pattern and personality to a room and they never go out of style. In my opinion, they’re the perfect accessory.
Collecting books is fun because they work in every room and in many different ways. You can move them from space to space, organize them by subject or color, stack them, lean them, or leave them casually scattered. Books are one of the most versatile décor pieces I own, and they’re meaningful too. They tell the stories inside their pages and also share something about the people who live in the house. Surrounding your home with things you love is what makes it feel personal.
I love browsing bookstores—wandering the aisles is so relaxing. A bookstore is a little adventure where you can travel to new places, explore fresh ideas and discover different cultures. I’m drawn to decorating books and cookbooks, but what delights me most is the visual appeal: covers, fonts and color palettes. In gift and home shops I often walk away with a beautiful book rather than a trinket, because books feel timeless and useful.
We have many kinds of books around our house. My husband’s collection includes study materials, Bible commentaries, science fiction and reference books for his ministry work. I have decorative books, volumes on marriage, family and homemaking, Bible study materials and gardening books. I also enjoy books written by friends and stacks of magazines. Even with e-readers like iPads and Kindles, nothing replaces the presence of a hardcover book in a room. They add warmth and make our home feel personal.
Sometimes I use books to elevate accessories on a console or table, creating different heights and visual interest.
Other times I keep books within easy reach of the couch so I can relax and flip through a favorite volume.
They also get piled up casually around the house, adding lived-in charm.
When our puppies were little and curious, we put books in a wire basket to protect them from chew marks. A few nibbles here and there only added character.
I tuck books into corners, move them on a whim and use them to refresh a vignette whenever I want.
My office holds many inspiring titles that help me with work and creativity.
Stacking books on the mantel adds color and sets a relaxed mood—perfect for a quiet afternoon by the fire, even if it’s just daydreaming.
Books also warm up accessories, so I often mix them with objects like vases, lamps and keepsakes to create layered displays.
Rather than filling the house with seasonal knickknacks, I’ll often simply rearrange or swap books to match a color scheme or the season.
Every family member keeps books by their bed. I never say no to a good book, and it’s a joy to see my son’s nightstand piled with titles—or even better, to see him actually reading.
