Books make great decor as they can add personality and warmth to your living space, and they add visual interest. The best part though is that books are so personal because we all choose the books that speak to us. Combine the personal aspect with the aesthetics and you have beautiful decor for your living room.
That said, I’m not a fan of having a bunch of paperbacks on display as they create visual clutter, at least for those of us who lean towards minimalist decor. And paperbacks aren’t really decorative. But there are certain types of books that can look great as part of your decor, especially in minimalist homes.
Before we get into the books, there’s one caveat: in recent years we’ve seen the rise of faux books which are essentially book shaped boxes with a decorative book-like cover. For me, these aren’t decor. The whole point of using real books as decor is that they reflect your personality and style and they should be books you absolutely love. So skip these and opt for real books only!
Read on to find out the types of books that will enhance your minimalist decor.
5 types of books that will add personality to your minimalist living room:
1. Coffee Table Books
These need no introduction because everyone knows they make gorgeous decor with their stunning photography and curated content. For me, they are much like a piece of art. Choose a few that speak to your interests whether that’s interiors, fashion, architecture or travel and display them not just on your coffee table but on any living room surface and on shelves too. And remember, coffee table books don’t always have to be closed. Instead, they can be displayed open on a favorite page either on a large table, on a book display stand or on slanting shelves designed for open books.
2. Photo Books
Memory photo books are the most personal of all the books on this list because they literally tell your story. Whether you have travel photo books, family albums, baby photos or your wedding album on display, each of these will be conversation starters and will infuse your personality into your space. And if you don’t have any yet, make a few photo books because they really do make a beautiful addition to your living space. They’re super easy to make online and the best part is that you can design them to match your personal style.
3. Cookbooks
Cookbooks deserve a mention because many of us keep these books stashed away and don’t think of them as books that double as decor. But cookbooks can be as decorative as they can be useful, especially larger ones with stunning food photography. Much like all coffee table books, they can be displayed on any surface including coffee and side tables and on shelves too.
4. Vintage Books
Vintage books, especially leather bound, or cloth bound books add so much character to a space. If you’re lucky enough to have a collection, keep them front and center in your living room. They look especially great in more minimalist living rooms because the worn and aged look creates a contrast against the sleeker modern silhouettes.
5. High-end Magazines
Think beautiful, collectible publications like Kinfolk, Ark Journal, Architectural Digest and Document Journal. These aren’t your regular monthly magazines but something in between a magazine and a book with striking imagery and commentary. No matter your interest, you’re likely to find a journal type magazine that will make a beautiful decorative piece. Stack a bunch on the floor or display them face up on a shelf.
While you can go with any of the types of books listed above, you can also use a combination which looks great too. Consider a modern coffee table book paired with a couple of vintage books or some high-end magazines stacked with personal photo books. But even if you’re going with just one type of book, as with a lot of decor, they’ll look better in multiples so stack a few different sized ones on a table of pile them high on the floor.
image credits: new works | alvhem | stadshem | entrance makleri
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