‘Bookshelf wealth’ is the latest way to show people you’re genuine
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- “Bookshelf wealth” is an interior design trend that rejects minimalism or any overly-curated look.
- “Bookshelf wealth” refers to displaying books you’ve really read, not color-coordinated showpieces.
- The cozy aesthetic emphasizes showing off your individual interests and personality.
Fashion and home-decor trends come and go so fast it can be hard to keep track.
Remember quiet luxury, Kramercore, and the new preppy? Here’s a new trend to learn for your next cocktail party: Bookshelf wealth.
Bookshelf wealth — an interior design trend profiled in House Beautiful, Better Homes & Gardens, and now The New York Times — rejects a perfectly staged, hyper-curated room in favor of a look that’s a little more messy and quirky.
The term “bookshelf wealth” first gained traction on TikTok when multiple creators told their followers your home should be lovably messy to achieve the aesthetic.
“What separates this from other interior design styles is that these homes look cozy and lived in,” says interior design creator Kailee Blalock in a TikTok video posted by @houseofhive. “So obviously, there are books, but the difference is that these aren’t display books, these are books that have actually been curated and read. Art is of the utmost importance, but it’s not displayed traditionally.”
@houseofhive Bookshelf Wealth, what it is and how to achieve it #greenscreen #bookshelfwealth #interiordesign #designtok #2024designtrends
♬ original sound – House of Hive Design Co
The overall look should suggest authenticity — that you’ve been collecting books and art over the years, not just putting out items as props to achieve a certain look.
Art can overlap on the walls or even rest on the floor, and books don’t have to follow any particular organization or order on shelves. While rooms can be colorful, they definitely shouldn’t be color-coordinated. There’s also a focus on coziness, with plenty of comfortable seating nooks.
A particular interior design aesthetic that can only be achieved through not trying too hard and displaying items that are meaningful might sound a bit oxymoronic.
@thehomenarrative “Bookshelf Wealth” is a cry from society to have meaning in their spaces! If you have ever worked with me you know I encourage meaningful decor. Meaningful homes. This is so sad to me! How did we get here?? #fyp #beautifulhome #momsoftiktok #designtrends #designtrends2024 #trendy #trendingtiktok #trendingdesign #trendyhome #bookshelfwealth #designtok
♬ original sound – TheHomeNarrative
“Bookshelf wealth might be the saddest, most pathetic trend I have ever heard of,” Interior design creator Marissa Warner said in a TikTok post on her account, @TheHomeNarrative. “It’s crazy to me that we have to make a trend in order to make people do this — to actually read a book, to actually go places and purchase things as a memory of traveling, exploring.”
Warner went on: “It’s baffling to me that we actually need that, that we need a name for something to encourage people to live a fulfilled life.”
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