Decorating with vintage books is a simple and inexpensive way to add color, texture, and charm to home décor. Whether adding height and dimension to a vignette or covering up cords in a bookcase, vintage books are the perfect building blocks to creating a home that reflects your individual style.
In my home, vintage books add a collected and relaxed feeling to my neutral color palette.
Bookcase Vignettes Using Vintage Books
IKEA bookcases on the focal wall in my family room are large and have quite a bit of space for décor. Books accessorize the shelves with a neutral flow that is soft on the eyes and not too busy.
There are endless ways to display books: stacked, turned, propped, and with titles facing out or turned in. Try playing around with different variations that create a soft flow that isn’t too matchy-matchy.
Vintage books are one of my main go-to décor pieces. They are the perfect layering piece (and y’all know how much I love to layer décor!).
I cherish tattered + worn covers, frayed edges, yellowed pages, rabbit eared corners, notes in the margins, and underlined words from their previous owners.
Stacks of vintage books showcasing their well-loved pages add simplicity and flow to my décor.
Contain books in baskets for an effortless look.
Propped and stacked books neatly hide cords to the lamps, the television, and entertainment equipment.
Coffee Table and Counter Top Vignettes Using Vintage Books
Books don’t have to be perfectly propped to add a statement. Here I casually tossed vintage books into a metal tray.
Incorporating vintage books is the simplest way to create a vignette in any room of your home.
Tie books together with twine, rope, or ribbon. Not only does it add a darling detail, it also keeps loose pages from falling out.
Decorating with Vintage Books on the Mantle
I decorate my home with pieces that have heart and tell a story. I love imagining the journey a vintage book has traveled to end up in my home. Was it well loved? Passed from generation to generation? Did someone cry over its page? Did someone get lost in its pages? Did its words change someone’s life?
Just like my bookcases, books have a permanent place on my mantle. Mixed into my thrifted books, you’ll find my childhood books, my husband’s childhood Bible, my mom’s and my grandma’s cookbooks, as well as Bibles I find at estate sales. I love inviting pieces into my home that have history intertwined in their pages.
Looking for more fall mantle inspiration? Be sure to check out My Fall Dining Room.
Adding Vintage Books to Wall Decor
I enjoy adding unexpected and repurposed décor to my walls. Books add height, dimension, and interest.
For an uncluttered flow, turn the pages out on books. The exposed pages lend a cohesive and simple touch to the neutral palette of my home.
Vintage wood planers are my favorite book ends. During my recent, trip to Round Top Antiques Week I noticed they were very popular!
Vintage Books in the Entryway
A collection of books add a muted pop of color to my neutral color palette.
My grandma’s bible and my mother-in-law’s childhood book add a sweet story of family history to the vignette on my entryway desk.
For more fall entryway inspiration, you may also enjoy My Fall Entryway.
Decorating with Vintage Books Blog Hop
I’m joining a few of my vintage loving blogger friends to share how we decorate with vintage books. Be sure to “hop” on over to their blogs for more fun ideas on how to decorate with vintage books.
- Brittany from Indigo and Honey
- Ty from Little Home Reloved
- Shannon from Coffee Paint Repeat
- Layla from My Sunset Avenue
- Jessica from Honey N Hydrangea
- Jordan from A Blue Nest
- Sarah from The Belmont Ranch
- Lucy from Birdie Farm
- Lindsay + Jolene from New England Nesters
Blessings to you and your home,
I cherish tattered + worn covers, frayed edges, yellowed pages, rabbit eared corners, notes in the margins, and underlined words from their previous owners. <—-Yes yes yes! Loved your post 🙂 You've got such a great eye for home decor. You layer beautifully so it's not too much!
Hi, Brittany.
Books and layering are my “jam.” Thank you for for blessing me this Monday morning with your kind compliments! You truly made my morning, my friend.
Wishing you a blessed Monday,
Shannon
Oh my goodness! Amazing post! SO inspiring!!!
Bless your sweet heart, Lucy. Thank you so much for putting a smile on my face, my friend.
Wishing you a bright Monday,
Shannon
You have a lovely collection of books!
Thank you so much, Ty!
I hope you’re having a fantastic Monday.
Shannon
Great ideas!! Now I need to go re-style my bookcase!!
Hi, Chris! Thank you so much for your kind comment and for stopping by. I hope you have fun re-styling your bookcase. It’s one of my favorite things to do!
Happy Monday,
Shannon
Wow, Shannon! Everything is so beautiful! I love how you’ve incorporated your books!
Thank you so much, Jordan! Your sweet comments mean a great deal to me.
Wishing you a beautiful Monday, my friend.
Shannon
Love all your shelves and styling Shannon! Your collection of books is amazing. I love every detail in every pic! xo
Thank you so much for all of your sweet comments, Sarah! I loved participating with you on this link up. I’m looking forward to doing it again!
Much love and happiness to you,
Shannon
I always love your decor style and I love these pics Shannon!
You always know how to make me feel so wonderful, dear friend! Thank you!
Lots of love to you,
Shannon
Stunning as usual friend! Such beautiful layering !
Y’all are simply the sweetest! Thank you so much for your lovely comments and for stopping by to visit me. I appreciate your time so much.
Blessings to you,
Shannon