I have always been a firm believer that books are the best form of decoration. Okay, maybe not the best form of decoration. But definitely one of the most budget-friendly and effective. Of course, I am not approaching this issue impartially. I love a good book, and therefore, I love any reason to buy a good book. If I can convince myself that the value of a book does not expire the moment I finish reading it, I can justify spending a good portion of my monthly budget to further enrich my home library. But even knowing how much I am inclined to believe that book decoration is the best form of decoration, I still think I am right.

First, a book has a purpose beyond mere decoration. You don’t buy a book to add a pop of color to a room, fill a bare corner, or otherwise spruce up a space that needs sprucing up. You buy a book because you want to read it. Sure, once you’re done with it, maybe it can provide that much-needed pop of color, or fill that bare corner, or spruce up that space that needs sprucing up. But the book had an intellectual reason to exist before it had a decorative one—you just took something that worked and repurposed it. You’ve effectively gained twice as much, which is certainly more than any unnecessary knickknack could ever provide. (Even if that unnecessary knickknack happens to be the perfect accessory for your coffee table.)

Of course, this brings me to my second point: books are budget-friendly. Even the smallest home decor items can get incredibly expensive, and when you're furnishing a full house, those costs can add up.

Perhaps the most beautiful part of book decorating, however, isn’t its overwhelming efficiency, but its inherent flexibility. Because most book collections are made up of relatively small, relatively uniform pieces, they can be remixed in any number of ways. Books on a windowsill can easily be flipped over and placed on a nightstand. Those stylish books on your coffee table can be a great addition to your planters. Conversely, those cookbooks you’ve stashed in a drawer can be lined up on your countertops, adding a little texture to your kitchen. You can turn them vertically or horizontally, sort them by color or alphabetically, stack them, or place them individually. Their versatility is immense.

Simply put, book decorating is great because it works for just about anyone. Anyone can find a book they want to read. Anyone can find a home for their latest read. Anyone can collect books in their space — no matter how large or compact, no matter how cluttered or empty, no matter how vibrant or neutral. Books are the answer to many of life's home decor problems. And the best part? You probably already have everything you need to give it a try.

Classic display

This textured interior highlights book decor in its most classic iteration: one wall filled with rows and rows of bookshelves. The rest of the space is relatively neutral, giving the books a chance to lift the room's vibrancy. And because they're haphazardly organized (or at least, not sorted by color), your eye will dance across the variety instead of being distracted by one focal point.

Small Space Solutions

Got a lot of books but no room on the bookshelf for them? The diagram below offers a great solution. Instead of opting for a giant bookcase, opt for a small, space-friendly book cart. Fill it with books, or intersperse your reading with other beloved items. Treat it like a bar cart—just put the focus on the books, not the booze.

Simple stacking

There are some books you'll reread over and over again, and there are others you'll only reference occasionally. While you want the former to be easily accessible, you can live with being a little more creative with the latter. An easy way to do this? Find a few that look good together, stack them on top of each other, and place them underneath plants, vases, or other decorative items. They'll complement your decor without taking up space on your beloved bookshelf.

Statement Antique

Nothing conveys the vibe of a home library more effectively than an authentic bookcase—especially one made from solid wood and attached to a table. If you love vintage accents as much as you love reading, consider splurging on an antique bookcase and letting it take up residence in your living room, home office, or even your foyer.

Monochrome accumulation

If you naturally accumulate a bunch of books in the same color palette, then you’ve already received an invitation to do some color blocking. Of course, you don’t have to accept this invitation. But if you like the look of a monochromatic corner, why not give it a try?

Slightly skewed

Clutter is rarely a good idea. But for some reason, disorganized bookshelves can look downright lovely — dreamy, even. That’s not to say you should intentionally allow yourself to be cluttered. But maybe if you find yourself naturally drifting in that direction, don’t resist it.

Thoughtful Color Palette

This well-assembled bookshelf is crisp, clean, and colorful—it's sure to be a great addition to any corner of your home. While aqua and white may not be your color palette, you can easily find a collection that matches your aesthetic. And remember: cute doesn't have to be complicated.

Clean and simple

Since the color scheme of this home is so restrained, the decor is all about texture: shiny glass, lush greenery, soft wood. Books fit seamlessly into this aesthetic. Thanks to their clean lines and pared-back color palette, books form a geometric complement to the more organic forms around them without overpowering the space.

Bohemia

This bohemian-style shelf uses color blocking in a way that doesn’t distract from the look. Reds, oranges, yellows, greens, and blues form a rainbow across the bookshelf, and these soft tones come together to create a beautiful, sophisticated whole. Not to mention, plants and books are always a perfect pair.

Straight and narrow

Instead of a bookshelf, you can always create a series of bookshelves that run along one wall of your room. In many ways, these stacks act like wall art or furniture: they will fill in bare space in a visually dynamic way.

Interesting arrangement

Use your prettiest books as an opportunity to curate a really interesting space. Combine them with planters, sculptures, art. Even use them as an excuse to buy that fun knickknack you’ve had your eye on for a while. You may not have had the place for it, but now you do.

Plenty of space

If you have enough space and enough books to fill it, do yourself a favor and buy a few bookshelves. Chances are, you'll only accumulate more books in your lifetime. And if you don't find a good place to put them now, you'll end up with a messy library later.

Bedside Book

Since many of us read before bed, our nightstands are the natural home for any and all of our favorite reads. When in doubt, place a lamp, a few books, and maybe a journal by your bed and call it a day.

Complementary colors

Look at the colors that frequently appear in your book collection and think about the decor you have that would complement those hues. For example, this decorator has a collection of red accents. They thoughtfully paired these vibrant books with equally rich greenery.