If there's anything this year's massive “bookshelf wealth” trend has taught us, it's that books can easily double as timeless home décor pieces. No longer shoved away on a shelf or left to gather dust in the attic, our (sometimes scattered) book collections can take center stage.
Thanks to the abundance of bookshelves, interior designers and homeowners alike are finding creative ways to store them, whether that's decorating them with picture frames, adding loads of knick-knacks, or creatively organizing books. But Brooklyn-based interior designer Taylor Migliazzo Simon is thinking beyond just bookshelf ideas. Taking to TikTok, Taylor shared a list of eye-catching and interesting ways to store book collections of all sizes, offering up some clever ideas that we can't wait to try.
Whether you already have bookshelves but have more books you want to display, need a non-shelf solution to your book-buying problems, or are looking for more innovative ways to use your treasured collection, Taylor has the answer.
A fresh way to double your book collection
@intayriors ♬ Original Sound – Taylor Migliazzo Simon
“If you have a lot of books, there are some fun ways to display them beyond just shelves,” Taylor says at the beginning of the video. As she shows off images of her unconventional book collection, she shares her favorite ways to store books without shelves. And the first one uses something everyone can easily access: the floor.
Make use of an unused corner of your living room and stack your collection vertically, carefully arranging and experimenting with layouts to see what looks best. You can colour code for vibrant stacks or take a more relaxed approach and stack by size. Keeping larger coffee table books underneath reduces the risk of your collection toppling over.
Plus, says Taylor, “Just putting a piece of artwork on top of it makes it look really finished.” This book storage solution isn't too fuss-free and helps a lot in terms of style: “Not only does it look really nice, but you can also pull a book out and read it, so it really combines form and function,” she adds.
(Image courtesy of Elizabeth Krueger Design)
“If you have a sideboard or piano and want to use it to accessorize, a stack of books is a great example,” says Taylor, adding another idea: Decorating a console table, sideboard, or piano top isn't groundbreaking—it's usually our first design instinct. But adding books to it can make any surface look luxurious and inviting.
Taylor shows us a short console table piled high with books, with a piece of art “propped up against the wall” above it. “I really love this piece of art,” she says. In another example, pictured above, a small blue book stands out on top of a vintage dresser. Placed alongside flowers, ornaments, and a stately gilded frame, the book serves as a chic (yet functional) piece of decor.
(Image courtesy of Stacey Zarin Goldberg/Paul Corley Interiors)
But your books don't have to be in a corner or on top of existing furniture: Taylor says she loves a “little clutter,” and suggests stacking tasteful books throughout the space.
“It looks more homey and worn, which I think works better in a more eclectic home with lots of art and books and layered lighting,” Taylor says.
(Images by Lindsay Brown / Avery Cox Design)
Maybe you have a little extra space in front of your already-full bookshelf, or maybe you have a corner of your big desk in your home office that you're dying to put some books in. As long as it doesn't get in the way of your daily tasks, some thoughtful stacking can take your design plan to the next level.
Want to store books in your bedroom? The stacking trick works there, too. “No nightstand? No problem. “Just stack some books, put some plants in it and you're good to go,” Taylor says.
(Images by Ryan McDonald / Jennie Bishop for Studio Gild)
If you have spare books on your shelves but not enough to pile up, Taylor says they can be used to great effect as coffee table decor. Going beyond the typical choice of two or three books on a coffee table, she shows us a photo of several books stacked side-by-side on a rectangular wooden coffee table.
Reminiscent of the library table trick that designer Shea McGee declared to be a trend in 2024, this book storage solution is perfect for a small collection of inspirational books. Leave a little free space for other decor (and practical items like coasters), but don't be afraid to make a style statement by placing the best pieces from your collection on your coffee table.
Todi Geometric Storage Bookcase
Lundquist Corner Bookcase
Whether you choose unconventional shelving or forgo shelving altogether, there are plenty of ways to store your book collection, no matter how large it is. By utilizing neglected corners and sprucing up spare surfaces, you'll be able to make the most of your bookshelf in no time.
