“Don’t judge a book by its cover,” they say.

But what do you do when the latest home decor craze flooding social media revolves around artfully arranged books in your living space? Well, you still stick to the age-old rule.

Enter Bookshelf Wealth – a catchy term-turned-trend emerging from the world of TikTok. Nevertheless, having a bookshelf replete with a collection of books as a key home decor element is always an exciting idea.

Bookshelf wealth, however, goes beyond just having an ornate bookshelf brimming with books at home. In this case, bookshelves are set up not just for storage but as expressions of personal affluence and taste. It is about taking the maximalist route with books, without making your space look like a quintessential library.

What is bookshelf wealth trend

The wealth aspect in ‘bookshelf wealth’ refers to an abundance of books (obviously), but also includes more elements like vibrant colours, decorative pieces like art and collectibles, and a thoughtful arrangement.

Hold on if you are all set to embark on an elaborate shopping spree to get the trend right. That is not how you flaunt your bookshelf wealth.

“Unlike traditional bookshelves that prioritise book organisation, the bookshelf wealth trend incorporates diverse elements such as art, collectibles, and designer objects alongside carefully chosen books. The arrangement is more personalised, often incorporating thematic groupings or colour-coordinated displays to evoke a sense of curated elegance,” says Ruby Goswamy, co-founder and principal architect at Lucknow-based interior design company, Design Square Architects.

“Though the term [bookshelf wealth] is new, the concept isn’t. Essentially, it’s about filling your bookshelves with things that matter to you – like books, art, and mementos from your travels. This trend transforms your home into a more personal and lived-in space,” explains Shailly Mandiwal, country home furnishing direction leader with IKEA India.

It is about choosing things that mean something to you, not just buying stuff.

“Your bookshelves become a reflection of your style, adorned with items that hold significance to you. Bookshelf wealth is all about making your house cosy and unique by showcasing your personality,” she adds.

“This design approach emphasises creating a collage-like arrangement that appears collected rather than meticulously organised,” adds Ashni Biyani, founder of luxury kids decor and furniture brand Smartsters.

What if reading isn’t your forte?

You can still hop onto the bookshelf wealth trend.

Here’s how! “Consider investing in visually appealing coffee table books. These books not only decorate your home but also reflect your identity and interests,” suggests Meena Murthy Kakkar, design head and founding partner, Envisage.

The dos and don’ts

Styling a bookshelf for decor purposes while ensuring it tells a story can change the functional piece of furniture into a captivating focal point in your home. You can rely on some expert tips to get it all right:

A wallpaper backdrop

A sure-shot way to add character to your bookshelf is by using wallpaper as a backdrop.

“Consider wallpapers as backdrops to add extra style to your bookshelves,” suggests Shailly.

Shades like dark green, navy, plum and burnt orange can be experimented with if regal touches dominate your home decor aesthetic (preferable for spacious places). Soft pastel wallpapers with floral accents or dainty prints can be used to lend a neo-traditional or contemporary appeal to your home.

What to add apart from books

Apart from being a crucial part of the trend, mixing books with decorative objects also adds depth to the shelves and prevents them from looking flat.

To make the bookshelf look more interesting, you can add an amalgam of objects such as ornate sculptures, gilded mirrors, potted plants or floral arrangements. Adding artworks, figurines and souvenirs that you have collected over the years to the bookshelf is better than buying new decorative pieces just for the eyes.

The arrangement style

It is the arrangement of your bookshelf wealth that can make or break your efforts to flaunt it. So, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Consider arranging books according to colours for a neat yet striking look
• Organise books both vertically and horizontally to create visual interest
• Mix book heights and sizes for a dynamic look
• Try to create balance by spacing out items evenly and varying the placement of objects
• Avoid clutter and overcrowding by leaving some empty spaces on the shelves
• Consider having a colour palette (please note: you don’t have to go all matchy)

Resist over-accessorising

“I always advise to resist the temptation to overcrowd the shelves with too many embellishments, it takes the focus away and leaves the space looking exhausted,” says Rithik.

Furthermore, avoid cluttering the shelves with unrelated or mismatched items.

Leaving empty spaces is important, for it allows each item to breathe and ensures a balanced appearance.

Add a touch of luxury

Bookshelves have become modern-day decor statement pieces that can add a sense of luxury to your place. In the realm of bookshelves, the first step towards luxury would be focussing on high-quality material.

“Bookshelves crafted from high-quality materials such as polished wood, marble, or brass, reflect elegance,” says Rithik Dhawan, founder of Rococo Milano, a luxury furniture store in Gurugram.

“Trends like grandiose display in the form of full wall cabinets are in,” he adds.

If space is an issue, you can opt for floating bookshelves.

“One of the notable trends is to include floating and asymmetrical bookshelf designs that challenge traditional notions. Floating bookshelves impart a sense of weightlessness, creating a visually striking display that defies gravity,” says Amit Goswamy, co-founder and principal architect at Design Square Architects.

You can turn bookshelves into an illuminated work of art with integrated lighting.

Bookshelf wealth for kids

Experts believe that kids can also benefit from this home decor trend.

Cherished books, beloved toys, collected artefacts like seashells, personal drawings, or any item with emotional value can be displayed on the little one’s bookshelf.

“Involving children in the creation process is crucial. One approach is to allow the child to choose one book and two artefacts every six months to preserve on the shelf. Empowering them to arrange the bookshelf and personalise it with notes and drawings enhances their sense of ownership and connection to the space,” says Ashni Biyani of Smartsters.

Bottom line

The visual appeal is what mostly dominates the home decor territory. But not always. Trends like bookshelf wealth are a reminder of preferring ‘personal’ over ‘pretty’, or maybe striking a balance between the two.

Don’t forget to regularly update and rearrange your bookshelf wealth to keep it fresh and dynamic.