Book readers. We’re the worst, aren’t we? I say “we” because I am indeed a lover of the books, and like the rest of you (save for my extensive collection of YA fiction which we will not speak of again) I am proud of my literature collection, and love to have it in immediate eyesight for visiting guests to comment on.
After doing the investigative rounds (read: asking people in the office + friends), it seems like all us readers love a good book display going on in our home. In part, because we like to showcase the super smart books we own. Semi gross, right. But there’s also the part of us that loves the ~true bond~ that comes when someone says “oh, you have a first edition of ‘On The Road‘? That’s my favourite book in the world”. Just two book lovers, bonding over some dusty pages. Sigh.
Put simply – displaying your books in creative ways is equal parts attention-seeking bullshit and an act of genuine love. Like, that’s the long and short of it, ok. Whatever your feelings on that, looking at aesthetically pleasing book displays never fails to soothe the soul – so let’s squiz a few now, shall we?
IN THE BEDROOM
In need of a new bed frame? There are loads these days with cool, built-in storage for your extensive book collection. This is both a visual dream, and a genius way to get around a tiny-shoebox-room situation.
Image: Pinterest.
If you’re not in the market for a whole new bed, think about buying (or DIY-ing) some shelves to sit at the foot. A haphazard stack of books looks surprisingly chic.
Image: Pinterest.
IN THE LOUNGE ROOM
If you hit up Pinterest, you’ll find literally anything makes for a wall shelf if you’re ingenious enough. People are using old ladders, for example, and we’re here for it.
Image: Pinterest.
The most popular wall display concept however is mixing up how you use existing products. Pop a bookshelf sideways and screw it in to floating level – it makes it look eons more expensive.
Image: Pinterest.
Or try buying some thick wooden frames, then doing this with them.
Image: Pinterest.
IN THE HALLWAY
Got a hallway? Great. It’s primo space for showing off your exhaustive collection of Penguin classics. If you’ve got a tall, skinny bookshelf and it’s just not cutting it for ya, why not try popping a hanging vine plant on top and letting that thing grow into a masterpiece?
Image: Pinterest.
If you’re short on space, use corners. Look how A+ this corner bookshelf is. It’s apparently DIY but who the hell is this good at DIY besides Tim the Toolman, honestly – better to buy one.
Image: Pinterest.
Another killer hallway situation is creating a bookshelf entirely out of floating shelves. They often run cheap if you shop around, and can make for a really striking entryway. That being said, you absolutely have to be big on dimensions and spacing and all that shit, otherwise you’ll end up with this awful, lopsided thing you hate.
Image: Pinterest.
All this DIY got you thinking about a furniture side hustle? Or maybe you’ve got a side hustle sorted already. You should enter our current comp c/o Set for Life. You could win $5k to go toward your side biz, plus a luxe weekender to Sydney to meet Eleanor Pendleton, founder and editor of Gritty Pretty.
