13 Tips for Mastering the Bookshelf Wealth Home Decor Trend

A new trend is sweeping households. The bookshop wealth aesthetic aims to show off collections built up over many years. The practice has the joint benefits of making an individual book more straightforward to find while simultaneously impressing friends and family.

In this instance, “wealth” isn’t necessarily related to money. You may have spent heavily on your collection, but it’s more about the wealth of knowledge you have built up. Some tips will underline that mission and help you create a personal curation that perfectly highlights your collection.

1. Get it All on the Floor

We’re curating our collections, and while there will be tips for every book collector to follow, the ultimate design is down to the individual. In all cases, however, we have to start collating the collection in our style, and the starting point is to get away from the bookcase and onto the floor or a large surface.

There may be exceptions, but most will find it impossible to sort while the books are still in situ. We need space and time to consider the following steps: finding a neutral space away from the books’ natural home.

2. Left Is Best

Studies show that we initially focus on the left-hand pages of websites and printed media. Our brains are programmed to focus on the primary optical area, the top left of the page.

The same system applies to your bookcase, so look to place the most striking books at the top left. From there, the viewer will be more inspired to work through the rest of your fantastic collection.

3. Color Coordination

There is a fine line between efficiency and maintaining the bookshelf wealth aesthetic. Of course, you want your collection to be striking, but you should also be able to easily find any book you need.

If you have multiple titles by a specific author, aim to keep these together. However, if we’re looking for an attractive and appealing look, it’s all about grouping colors. Stack all your reds, blues, yellows, and shades alongside each other. To take things a stage further, understand which colors complement each other when placed side by side.

4. Arranging by Height

Books come in all shapes and sizes, and curators know the importance of arranging titles by height. A random height allocation will look out of place and draw attention to your books for all the wrong reasons.

The best approach is to place the taller books at the left of the shelf and arrange them in descending order. Once you reach the middle, build up again so that height ascends until you reach the right-hand edge. The rise and fall add a pleasing flow to your arrangement.

5. Horizontal Is Acceptable

Some books are so tall they won’t fit in any standard-size bookcase when arranged vertically. This is especially true of “coffee table” books, most of which are significant volumes designed to attract attention.

In these cases, placing a selection of books horizontally is acceptable. Aim to stack these on the left-hand side of the shelving unit. As we’ve seen, this side of the bookcase attracts more attention, and a horizontal set of books complements the rest of your collection.

6. Avoid Empty Spaces

Using the space in your bookshelves is a delicate balance. You don’t want them to appear cluttered, but too much space suggests your collection needs some work. The best option in this instance is to fill any space with accessories.

Family photos are a perfect fit, while ornaments can complement the books that are the main focus of your units. If you’re stuck for ideas, move on to the next section to discover the perfect partner for a book collection.

7. Charming Bookends

Bookends come in various styles and shapes, and they can help you add your personality to the shelves. They are also practical, filling up any unwanted space and propping up your collection so that it doesn’t fall and ruin the look.

If you have a natural talent for crafting, you can even make your bookends. As a charming and practical set of items, they are among the best bookshelf accessories you can own.

8. Look out for Yearbooks

A series of yearbooks will tick all the boxes regarding color coordination. I have two examples in my home: the Wisden Cricketers Almanack, produced in a striking yellow. Over in the study, red and blue copies of the Writers and Artists Yearbook take center stage.

You will likely have different examples, but any yearbook can add to the bookshelf aesthetic. The run of colors stands out, but remember to put them in date order so that they complete the look.

9. Don’t Forget the Bookshelves

Bookshelves and cases are equally important in finding the perfect aesthetic. Built-in bookshelves are ideal as they take up less space, and the books become part of the whole room when they are in place. If you have them in your home, you have an advantage in this task.

If you need a standalone bookshelf, it’s recommended that you shop for a pre-loved antique version. Modern equivalents may be easy to assemble, but they look cheap, and that’s an image we want to avoid.

10. Style the Background

However full your display may be, there will be blank space above most books. Do the gaps show an attractive wall, or does the background need attention?

A different wallpaper or paint color for the rest of your room will help the collection stand out and become a focal point. Attention to tiny details such as these can make the most significant differences.

11. It Doesn’t Have To Be All About Books

Books are the primary focus, but is there anything else that can fill any space? If you collect stamps, coins, trade cards, sports programs, or any other small items, look to place them in albums and stack them in your bookshelves.

Follow advice on height and color coordination to make them a worthy addition. Albums can fit the aesthetic, and they’ll also help you organize your collections and appreciate them even more.

12. Consider Surrounding Furniture

Vinyl records are another option for your shelves. We all like to show off our collections, which also allows us to match adjacent furniture. If vinyl is part of your bookshelves, placing your music center alongside them makes sense.

Consider the spaces next to your books if your music collection is elsewhere. Look for color combinations among your shelving units and other furniture to improve the overall vision.

13. Striking a Balance

Getting the balance of height and color along each bookshelf is challenging. You may not be happy with your initial results, but that’s OK. Each collection is a work in progress, so be patient and prepared to tinker with the arrangement.

One suggestion related to color is to remove the dust jacket to get a better match. Don’t throw the jacket away, as it adds to the book’s value, but its temporary absence may help you nail the wealth aesthetic.