Decorating with Books

Books aren't just something to read; like all of your décor, they say something about you.

The perfect book shelf isn't lined with books; it's as much a display as it is a functional place to store books. Don't fill the shelf space with boring vertical books. Break up the visual monotony by stacking books, placing items of interest (curios or pictures) and leaving some space for a less cluttered look. You can also put some of your more glossy titles facing out so you can see the cover. To achieve this look, you'll have to get rid of or place some books in storage.

Also, instead of making every shelf a display, just concentrate on every other shelf. That way you won't be eliminating as much in-sight storage.

Buy large glossy coffee table books and show them to their best advantage, either lay them flat on a coffee table or place them on a shelf with their cover facing out. To use the space better, you can lean the books against a stack of books stored horizontally.

If you have classic books in worn paperback that you dearly love, such as Anne of Green Gables, The Three Musketeers, Jane Eyre or some Kipling, make a list of them. Work to replace these titles with the same book in a more visually pleasing form. Barnes & Noble generally sells their own versions of classic books in faux or real leather, as well as thick hardbacks with colorful dustcovers.

Getting Rid of Books

Donating books or trading them in is a great way to get rid of those old titles haunting your shelves. Just pack them up in boxes and head to either your local library (for donation) or to a book trade-in store.

If you itemize your taxes, donations are partially tax deductible. You'll want to have already calculated the value of the books so you won't have to pull them out at the library. Ask for the donations form and make sure a library employee signs it before you leave.

Shelf Solutions

If you're bibliophile, you're going to have trouble parting with your books. If you still have a substantial collection and very little storage, the time will come when you'll need to make or buy places for your books.

One shelving solution is the high, full room shelf. About a foot to a foot-and-a-half from the ceiling, install a sturdy shelf that runs on all four walls of the room. Some rooms have vents installed that you won't want to block, so make sure you take a look at your room before you buy or make your ceiling shelf.

Another way to create more shelving areas in a visually interesting way is to install short shelves in different places around the house. You might not have room for a full book case, but you might be able to fit a short shelf between picture displays.

If you want to get creative, don't make or buy furnishings to house your books; instead, make your books into furnishings. Make a side table from a stack of very large books of the same size. Stack them neatly and then place a small piece of glass atop the stack. You can fan the books for a different look. Make sure that the top book in the stack has an interesting cover that you would like to see on display.

You can also stack three or four books on an existing table to form a kind of raised display area, upon which you can place an item of interest that would capture more attention on a raised area. You can place a plant on top of the stack, but the pot should be waterproof.

Whatever you choose to do with your books, there's always a new way you can display those old treasures.