When we had the wall of bookcases built in our home office, it wasn’t because I had an abundance of literary classics that I had read and wanted to display. It was because I wanted the look and feel of a library.
But, empty bookshelves don’t necessarily feel very library-ish, so I hit up my local Habitat ReStore’s annual book sale and brought home hardbacks by the boxful. For the most part, I shopped based on size and color. If it had a really pretty cover under the dust jacket (which I always remove), that was an added bonus. I know, I’m every literature lover’s worst nightmare.
I do love to read, although it doesn’t happen nearly as much as I’d like at this point in my life. And, most of the books I’ve read lately are either paperbacks that don’t look very pretty on my shelves or are now stored on my iPad. So, the solution to making my home office library actually look like a library was to buy books for the sake of filling space on my shelves.
(I’m almost always a fan of using more books than anything else decorative when accessorizing bookcases.)
One of my favorite finds was this set of embossed encyclopedias, published in 1921—the year my grandmother was born.
I’m very aware that there are all kinds of strong opinions about buying books just for the sake of using them to decorate. (If you don’t believe me, read some of the comments here.) But, I don’t think it’s necessarily wrong to decorate with books just because they’re pretty. To me, books give your home a certain feel just as much as other accessories like lamps, pillows, art, etc.
Once, I got an email from a reader that was disappointed I had suggested turning books around if the title was questionable. But, let’s be reasonable. Who wants or needs to see the Monica Lewinsky story on display every day? I swear I didn’t spend money on that. I’m pretty sure someone gave it to me. Really.
Interestingly enough, I also have Bill and Hillary’s books on my shelves, as well. Hmmm. . .
Even if I know I’m never going to end up reading Major Foreign Powers in this lifetime (Zzzzzz), I still love the warm, cozy feeling that a wall full of books gives to a room. I like covers that are worn, pages that are yellowed, and the history behind them. Yes, I do believe books can be a beautiful decoration in your home—read or not.
What are your thoughts on decorating with books that you have no intention of ever reading?
(Book worms, take it easy on me.)
I’ve done the same thing from time and time (mostly ‘borrowing’ from my parents) and I see no problem with it. I’m not teaching a literary class, I’m decorating my home. I just bought an old box at an estate sale, not because I made it but because I liked it. Same with books – they can be accessories just like anything else. And if people were into their books only to read, then they would sell/give them away right after they read them rather than put them on the shelf.
I’ve thought about doing this many times, just too lazy so far to go look for the books! I do have a lot of books and a lot of paperbacks and I love to re-read my favorites. I’m not anti e-readers at all, just don’t have one. I read some of the comments you linked to. Too funny. You know what they say: “Opinions are like ********. Everyone has one.” Hahaha.
You really should try to find time to read “The Blessing.” It is hilarious, and you will want to read her other three novels about these characters and their friends. Then, you’ll want to read all about Mitford’s fascinating family.
Baldwinium, you’ve inspired me to give it another try. I’ve since read The Sisters: Saga of the Mitford Family, which was so interesting, so maybe it will give me a new appreciation of The Blessing.
Have you tried the other three? The characters in Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate are based on the Mitford family.
The books have made me through many rereadings.
Jane Baldwin
I was a literature major so the books on my shelves are old friends. However, a bookcase isn’t a bookcase without books so I say go for it. Who cares whether you read them or not. I have a bound book of the complete works of Shakespeare on my shelves from my college days and I haven’t opened it in 20 years. I read that Nancy Mitford book you are holding up and believe me, that beautiful cover is way better than what’s inside. I wish my bookshelf looked as pretty as yours! Lovely job!
I’m married to an author & editor, so we have hundreds of books. Sometimes I don’t know what to do with them all in our smallish loft! But, I totally understand about wanting to make the bookshelves look pretty. I turn some around to minimize the visual clutter of so many covers, and after 4 years of marriage finally convinced him to let me toss the book jackets last year. They look so much better now!
I recently bought some books that I will probably never read, but they were gorgeous! I think it is completely up to the person. I personally only read paperbacks (because they are cheaper) and pass them off to friends and family.
Ok, so I’ll be the admitted bookworm who says at least get books that look interesting and that you might read one day :-) But I’m also of the vein of not decorating with things that have no meaning … but I also am terrible at decorating!
Tanya Patrice
Girlxoxo.com
It’s your home, you do what you want. :) We are bookworms at our house, and enjoy having them out where we can get to them, whatever they look like. I try to break up the expanse of books with other objects, but inevitably, the books start piling up and crowding everything else out. Always in search of more shelves, not things to fill them!
I think that books on a shelf tell you a lot about a person…in some cases, it just says, “I like this look and feeling!” I enjoy good books and having them on my shelf, but in our stage of life (military moves us often), the books we display/keep are limited to the ones we will use again.
I’m a very big bookworm so I won’t say too much since my stance on this is probably pretty clear…
But I so love pretty books. And especially older ones that have been read. But personally, I would buy books that were pretty, AND appealed to me or have some kind of actual use instead of just whatever looked the best.
We love books and have many. My feelings are, if you have purchased them/or been given them and chose to display them where they are “appreciated” whether for the content or looks along, at least they are not filling up a land fill or sitting dusty in the back of a thrift store, or worse collecting mildew in a damp basement or attic. And who knows, someday, someone in your family might just find their favorite on your shelves.
I love the idea of decorating with books! Love it! My mom used to have tons of french, italian and spanish books in our home – all of which she couldn’t read but they looked lovely in the built ins.
I love decorating with books. It’s a classic decor item! And if you want to modernize the look, you can always wrap the covers in colorful paper. Erin
I love pretty books, but personally wouldn’t buy more than a few just for the pretty cover. My husband has hundreds of books so we don’t have a book shortage for shelves (quite the opposite!) but he is very particular about dust jackets and protecting books :) so they aren’t really very attractive. Thankfully he now has an office with many bookcases to house them and I have the prettier ones upstairs.
My thoughts? Your house, your life, your decision! Looks great.
Give me a break…does this mean that everyone that has a display or picture of a horse is an equestrian? What about all of the antlers on display? Are these people hunters? Books can be beautiful for decorating! To each their own.
Good comparison. I also have antlers but would freak out if I thought I had to go in the woods and shoot the body they used to be attached to. . .
I have no problem with people decorating with books just for the sake of decoration. Some hardbacks and cloth covers are so lovely that they are like works of art for their own sake. Being a book worm (or rather a book hoarder) though, I’d love to see someone come up with solutions for those of us that just have lots of books – the good, the bad and the ugly. Something so that they’re accessible for reading but look nice on the shelf. Right now with our limited space, I don’t have room to put purely decorative things on bookshelves but I’d love to cut down on the visual clutter that having so many spines staring at at person can bring.
Have you ever thought about including baskets of books on your shelves? I love this look:
http://emilyaclark.blogspot.com/2012/08/baskets-and-books.html
I think books add warmth and personality to a home. The ones we have accumulated over the years I do have out. My biggest question is whether I should use the jackets or remove them. Some are old and torn. I do have a “hint”. If you are selling your home, I think certain books, ones with religious and political subjects, should be removed. They could turn off a buyer. The same advice as putting away family pictures when your home is on the market.
Funnily, I am not a bookworm (although I once was..lawschool killed it), but my shelves only have books that I or my husband have read. I’m old school, and I can’t quite handle buying books for looks alone (although I would have never bought So I Married Adventure had it not been in every shelter mag and blog). I always love to see what is on people’s bookshelves b/c it tells something about them (like their taste in art)…its the best part of home tours :) So I’m secretly judging your decision, but its like politics–I know everyone doesn’t vote the same why I do, and we could still be friends :)
Sounds good to me :)
Fun conversation. Your bookcases are gorgeous and Pin-worthy! My bookcases are filled to overflowing and then I still have boxes full of books stashed in my basement. Not gorgeous! I have “beautiful bookcase envy”, but I have tried to buy books just for the look of the cover, and I just can’t. I wish I could! Better yet, I wish current books were still made with beautiful covers and could be affordable. At least the Coralie BIckford-Smith books give us an option on some of the classics. I suppose I look at our old books like old friends that we sometimes re-visit, not props, so I don’t think I could ever walk through the door of my house with Monica! :) That being said, I can certainly appreciate the aesthetic and I totally agree with the person that compared buying books solely for looks to people that don’t hunt displaying antlers. What’s the difference? Do what makes you happy! It’s your home!
LOVE what Kate in Vienna said. And seriously, some of the books I have bought at estate sales are medical dictionaries/encyclopedias from the 60’s…not old enough to be “collectible” for a doctor, and certainly not modern enough for ANYONE to actually consider reading. We have political books on systems that don’t exist anymore…most of the books at these types of sales are there because…no one is going to read them! At least I’m giving them a stable home where they are protected, maybe 50 years from now when my kids are going through my things they will have some historical value to society, but for now, books that I bought for 10 cents, are only valued for their pretty covers.
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The cover for the Blessing deserves to be displayed. And as some of the commenters note, you might find some treasures one day, when you have more time. (My youngest is now 6.5 and I am happy to be reading again…not just starting to read and falling asleep.) It is your house and it isn’t hurting anyone — to the contrary, you have a gift for making things pretty and cozy. And having books accessible is great for your kids.
I was recently doing the same thing and investigating the color and design of a books spine at a local Goodwill. I had a lady say to me, “There are some additional paperbacks over here if you like her work.” I quickly debated admitting the truth, I had NO IDEA who’s work I was even holding! I responded with a polite admission that I was interested mainly in the color of the books cover. Needless to say, I got an eye roll and a quick turn of the shoulder. Oh well! To each their own, at least my new book cases look well styled and I did my part by repurposing some old dusty books!
OK. I’m game. I was an English major. So was my husband. He’s now a lawyer. My husband’s grandmother was a poet. The written word is pretty important around here. I grew up in a a house without books because my mother did not like the clutter. I have books in every room of my house (except the bathrooms!) and don’t have the luxury to buy books for looks. I buy them to read. And because I am a gardener and a cook, the list is rather exhaustive.
People who decorate with books remind me of the centuries ago habit of buying books “by the yard”. I guess the best thing you can say is that at least books are being preserved and maybe someone will take down from the lovely shelf and actually read the lovely book.
I think we all agree it’s your home and you can do as you please.
I am a bookworm – most of the books on my shelves are like old friends, I’m out of space and really need an organization system (think local library) to keep up with my collection. I love discussing my books with friends, loaning them out and pulling one off the shelf to revisit favorite passages :)
We are currently considering building a new home and are working with an architect, one of his main priorities is a place for my beloved books…
Interesting topic : ] We only have books that we’ve actually read and even those have been paired down over the years and over several moves. That being said, I wouldn’t be opposed to buying books for purely aesthetic reasons. Objects only have whatever meaning we subscribe to them. I don’t think it’s misleading to have objects that you don’t use in the traditional way they’re intended to be used. What if I own a Berber wedding rug? It doesn’t mean I had a Berber wedding, it means I appreciate the craftsmanship and history of the object.
I haven’t read through all of the comments, but I think it’s interesting that people have such strong opinions about this! If you like it, use it! Since when did decor have to be functional? It’s not like people use their cowhide rugs for warmth or use their decorative bowls and spoons for eating. Sometimes, we just like pretty things, and that’s all there is to it!
I love decorating with books! Why would people care?? Maybe you’ll be able to read all of them one day:)
Of course it is your home, and you should do that which is appealing to you. For me, that would be an incredible waste of money and space.
I’m completely not against using books solely for decorative purposes. Books ARE beautiful and come in varied colors and sizes for a reason. And I do have my books organized by color – partly because that’s how I remember a book and partly because I like the way it looks. Who cares? It’s my bookcase and I can do what I want.
Growing up, the “fancy” books (old, attractively bound, 1st editions, etc) were in the living room and all the rest were in the rec room. Usually we had multiple copies of the classics since my parents never got rid of a book, so there often was a hardcover version upstairs and a paperback one downstairs. Paperback is always easier to read.
But I’d also like to make a case for paperbacks. I love that you can immediately see how often the binding was broken. How those multiple breaks can change up the color of the spine. I have books that are now essentially white because of how many times I’ve read them. If you’re collecting old books because you like their aged appearance, don’t discount the paperbacks! It also makes you look like a real reader as how many people only read hardcover books?
I’ve also given away many, many books. I only keep a book if I know I’m going to reread it either for pleasure or reference – which means that the majority of my books are paperback. Sometimes I’ll even replace a favorite book with the softcover version.
To sum up: life is too short to be snobby about books
I’m a librarian so as a general rule I don’t really have the need to buy books because I can borrow them for free. I also don’t buy many books because I’ve moved many, many times over the years and the fewer things you have to box up and carry the better. Having said all that…buy as many books as you want; pretty, ugly, read, unread, never-to-be-read! It’s like you said, a library creates a feeling and for most people that is a cozy, rainy afternoon feeling. I love reading books and looking at books. Books do say something about a person so if you have items that you wouldn’t necessarily want someone to associate with your personality then I would say donate or sell those. Books are a cheap, sensible, and sometimes personal way to decorate. Great post. I’ve enjoyed everyone’s comments.
I use books only for decor too, and have no problem with it. What makes me feel bad is when I go to some of my (bookworm) friends’ houses and see their bookshelves, knowing good and well that they have read all of those books! :)
My rule: It’s your home so you do what you want! I’ve picked up plenty of books at Goodwill that I probably will never read, but they look good!
I recently cleaned and consolidated the junk in our garage and counted 20 boxes filled with books! The vast majority belong to my hubby who may or may not have a book hoarding problem! I believe many were inherited from his Dad because they are about aviation and science. When the new house is finally finished, I plan on using these books in the “library” (aka the formal living room) even though I have no intention of reading them. They look cool and why not display them? Putting my Kindle on the shelf just doesn’t have the same effect!
I hope you at least keep Hilary and Monica on different shelves ;)
I was at Goodwill one day with an arm load of books and a nice man said, “My, you’re planning on a lot of reading!” I just smiled, and couldn’t bring myself to tell him I was using them for decorating. :)
I think it’s great- it’s nicer than the faux book wallpaper. And somewhere I read about someone who used just the bindings glued onto something to look like bookshelves. So if it works visually, it’s good. My mother used to work in a library and was always dragging home old books the library was discarding, and I have used a lot of them for decorative purposes. Old encyclopedias,
Etc. And many with interesting covers but have never even opened most of them. Your shelves look great!
I think it’s great- it’s nicer than the faux book wallpaper. And somewhere I read about someone who used just the bindings glued onto something to look like bookshelves. So if it works visually, it’s good. My mother used to work in a library and was always dragging home old books the library was discarding, and I have used a lot of them for decorative purposes. Old encyclopedias,
Etc. And many with interesting covers but have never even opened most of them. Your shelves look great!
Books are works of art, IMHO. One cannot have too many. I have wall to wall book cases in 3 rooms and have read every single thing on my shelves, once if not a few times.
I had a fire and the restoration people came and packed up everything not ruined, and restored page by page each book. (I guess they wipe it with some chemical to remove the destructive smoke residue from the paper.) When I got them back, I was under construction, so they remained in boxes for a very long time.
I had this Urge to Purge and decided my books were wonderful, but they weren’t doing anything in the world being art on my shelves. I sorted them into categories, kept the signed copies, the more rare versions, 1st editions, the ones I really loved, and … the pretty ones.
I ended up giving away 360 moving boxes of books on Freecycle. An entire Steven King collection to a teenager, who was just discovering the joy of reading. An entire quilting collection to a forcibly relocated victim of domestic violence (and 6 boxes of quilting fabric for her), my grandfather’s ultra conservative commentary collection on the failings of democracy to a Czech immigrant, and so on. These books came back to life.
Now, I read a paperback and leave it in a doctor’s office or some kind of waiting room somewhere with a note in it saying, “I loved it. Enjoy and pass it along.” I seldom buy hard covers anymore unless I love them or … they’re pretty.
We each have our own way, don’t we? But a room isn’t warm without artwork: books and a couple of cats.
(BTW. My most recent Urge to Purge happened 2 weeks ago when I gave away 4 rooms of furniture. Pretty much have no where to sit right now. But. If I didn’t love it? Someone else could. There you have it!)
I was once chastised on a message board for admitting that I arranged my books by color (in a pretty insulting way), so I’m definitely not going to get on a high horse about buying books for looks! I am a bookworm and have read all but a few of the books I own (some are my husband’s, and some are in queue to be read), but when I see books in another person’s home, I never think, “Oh, this person must read a lot.” And when I don’t see books, I don’t think the person doesn’t read.
I think actual books are beautiful and saving them from the recycling bin is never a bad idea. I definitely read e-books, but the majesty of a beautifully bound book cannot be beat.
Emily: Whew! I thought I was the only person who bought books just for the color, height or age! So I can’t image why anyone would not approve of that…in my town it is like “recycling” so they don’t end up in the dump! And a whole wall of bookshelves left bare would really look crappy! Love the warmth they bring so I always try to add “some” books to every open shelf even if it only three, laid flat to raise an accessory. Love y our blog! {{HUGS}} Joy
I had a boss once, who had been a social worker. He said when he made a home visit and there were books, plants and/or pets, he knew the kids and family had a fighting chance.
I love pretty books, some of which I like to read, most of which I don’t. :) I do buy books because they’re pretty, but I try to buy books that have a decent title or subject. So if I find a book that is pretty and is about music, decor, fashion, photography, history, I really feel like I’ve won! My parents have walls and walls full of books (they both read a handful of books at one time) and they think I’m crazy. :)
Glad you talked about this!