Decorating
Decorating: 10 Ways to Turn Your Books into Works of Art
Love reading but find piles of paperbacks are taking over your home? Our stylish ideas will have the writing on the wall in no time…
I’m an avid bookworm, but my reading habit has a downside. All those tomes take up a serious amount of space – and more often than not end up in piles on the bedroom floor (shameful). I know I’m not alone, so here are some of my favourite ideas for wrangling an overflowing, ever-growing collection into a beautiful, ordered display.
Take the circle line
This quirky ‘book wheel’ emphasises the unusual shape of the window, and grouping the titles by the colour of their covers emphasises the bold brights on the walls. Genius.
This quirky ‘book wheel’ emphasises the unusual shape of the window, and grouping the titles by the colour of their covers emphasises the bold brights on the walls. Genius.
Access all areas
If you have high ceilings, make the most of them by taking built-in shelving all the way up to the top (including over the door). Mix in pictures, photos and ornaments among the books for an eye-catching display.
If you have high ceilings, make the most of them by taking built-in shelving all the way up to the top (including over the door). Mix in pictures, photos and ornaments among the books for an eye-catching display.
Utilise the hall wall
If space is at a premium, building book storage into otherwise dead space is a neat idea. This unit exploits the tall wall leading up the stairs, as well as the top of it on the landing, housing hundreds of books in an unused area.
If space is at a premium, building book storage into otherwise dead space is a neat idea. This unit exploits the tall wall leading up the stairs, as well as the top of it on the landing, housing hundreds of books in an unused area.
Maximise an island unit
Wring as much storage as possible out of a kitchen island by fitting drawers on the cooking side and bookshelves on the other. The shelves only need to be around 15cm deep, which should leave plenty of room for pots and pans.
See 10 reasons to work an island unit into your kitchen scheme
Wring as much storage as possible out of a kitchen island by fitting drawers on the cooking side and bookshelves on the other. The shelves only need to be around 15cm deep, which should leave plenty of room for pots and pans.
See 10 reasons to work an island unit into your kitchen scheme
Hide the spines
For the minimalists among us, storing books with the spines facing inwards makes for a serene scheme. You can always break up the uniformity by arranging them alternately in rows and piles, as in this room. Just remember to keep a note of which books are where, so you can easily lay your hands on your favourite page-turner.
For the minimalists among us, storing books with the spines facing inwards makes for a serene scheme. You can always break up the uniformity by arranging them alternately in rows and piles, as in this room. Just remember to keep a note of which books are where, so you can easily lay your hands on your favourite page-turner.
Build a great divide
A floor-to-ceiling shelving unit is a great way to divide a large room into two different zones, such as a kitchen and living space. Store your books on the living room side, position an armchair or day bed in front and you’ve got yourself a dedicated reading area.
A floor-to-ceiling shelving unit is a great way to divide a large room into two different zones, such as a kitchen and living space. Store your books on the living room side, position an armchair or day bed in front and you’ve got yourself a dedicated reading area.
Go low
Window seats are a favourite reading spot, so combine yours with built-in book storage. Although anyone lucky enough to have a view like this will likely find it hard to keep their eyes on the page!
Window seats are a favourite reading spot, so combine yours with built-in book storage. Although anyone lucky enough to have a view like this will likely find it hard to keep their eyes on the page!
Create a cosy spot
Who wouldn’t love a cosy reading nook where they could curl up on a rainy afternoon? If you can bear to sacrifice a hall cupboard or walk-in wardrobe, you could use the space to create your own mini library.
TELL US...
Are you an avid reader? How do you creatively show off your books? Share your tips in the Comments.
Who wouldn’t love a cosy reading nook where they could curl up on a rainy afternoon? If you can bear to sacrifice a hall cupboard or walk-in wardrobe, you could use the space to create your own mini library.
TELL US...
Are you an avid reader? How do you creatively show off your books? Share your tips in the Comments.
If you have a spare afternoon to transform a random mishmash of books into a stylish feature, organising them by colour is the way to go. Keep the background of your shelves neutral – brightly coloured paint or patterned wallpaper will dilute the effect.
Browse creative ways to display your books