Bookshelf Wealth Is The Latest Home Design Craze Boasting Comfort And Charisma Through Art, Contrasting Textiles, Cozy Seating, And Shelves Lined With Books

New Africa - stock.adobe.com - illustrative purposes only
New Africa - stock.adobe.com - illustrative purposes only

Recently, the idea of “bookshelf wealth” has surfaced on TikTok, and it’s gaining popularity at lightning speed. Unlike most of the other interior design trends that pop up on the platform, this one doesn’t feel like a passing phase that will die down in a matter of months. Bookshelf wealth is something that will never go out of style due to its attainability, coziness, and colorful charisma.

This latest trend features decor that consists of a collection of elegant art pieces, contrasting textiles, assorted knick-knacks, comfy seating, and, of course, shelves lined with lots and lots of strategically displayed books.

When decorating with bookshelf wealth in mind, remember that creating a lived-in look that has character is key. Not only should your bookshelves contain all of your favorite novels, but they should also include an array of trinkets that reflect your interests. These could be anything from ceramics and candles to houseplants and vintage photographs.

Bookshelf wealth is less about following a specific design and more about cultivating a space that is uniquely you. That means everyone’s bookshelves will look different as they’re based on personal tastes. Embracing authenticity and discovering your own style can be extremely refreshing in a world where there’s seemingly a new aesthetic to keep up with every day.

Bookshelf wealth can’t be built in a day. It’s a process that stretches on over time. After a while, your bookshelves will become richer, more beautiful, and. more meaningful. As you add more pieces to your shelves, it can be easy to cross the line from curated to cluttered.

So, here are some tips on how to increase your bookshelf wealth without making your space too chaotic.

Opt For Bookcases 

Instead of floating shelves, opt for bookcases. They are sturdier and add a sense of character and cohesiveness, while floating shelves are too minimalistic and feel separated from the rest of the room.

Antique wooden bookcases that run from floor to ceiling are ideal and contribute to the appearance of an artfully cultivated space. If you don’t have the space for a whole bookcase, try stacking books on top of chairs you don’t use much or on any empty table surfaces.

New Africa – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only

Stack Books At Different Heights

Once you’ve decided what’s going on your shelves, add visual interest by stacking books at different heights. Depending on the look you’re trying to achieve, you can place them vertically or face them out to show off the covers.

Create a balance that’s pleasing to the eye to keep the movement flowing. Just make sure to put a little space between your stacks to prevent your arrangement from feeling too messy.

Mix Textures And Patterns

Bookshelf wealth involves plenty of diversity and variation in colors, sizes, patterns, and textures. For instance, you can incorporate a woven rug and comfortable reading chairs with floral upholstery while sprinkling in different textures through throw pillows and blankets. If you have a smaller pattern in one area, go for a larger pattern in another.

In addition, removable peel-and-stick wallpaper is a great way to play with patterns without making things permanent. If you choose a bolder wallpaper, balance it out by selecting more subtle books to display, like leather-bound books or hardcovers in solid neutral colors.

You can always take off the book jackets to see if they look simpler. Overall, you should always pay attention to the color scheme when mixing patterns to ensure they don’t clash in an undesirable way.

Layer Your Art

While books can act as art, it’s also important to include actual pieces of artwork so your shelves look more like a real museum exhibit. Hang paintings on walls and layer photos among your stacks of titles in a slightly disheveled manner.

The point of this trend is to create a lived-in space, so not everything has to be clean, straight lines. Additionally, the art needs to give off the vibe that it’s been collected over a period of time.

You don’t want mass-produced pieces that make it seem like you hit the “place order” button on them just yesterday.

Group Items In Odd Numbers

As you’re organizing items into groups, follow the rule of odd numbers, meaning that you should pair books and trinkets in threes and fives.

For some reason, a stack of books just doesn’t look complete when it’s just two or four. Proportion matters with bookshelf wealth. It allows you to center one of the items and prevent your display from looking like it was haphazardly thrown together.

It may take some time to transform your space into one that tells a story that will intrigue anyone who walks inside your home.

But that just means you have many opportunities for trips to bookshops, thrift stores, or even faraway destinations to accumulate interesting souvenirs to decorate with.

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Emily  Chan is a writer who covers lifestyle and news content. She graduated from Michigan State University with a ... More about Emily Chan

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