What does your bookshelf say about you? Perhaps you’re a hopeless romantic, a fantasy fanatic or a sci-fi enthusiast. Maybe you’re family oriented, as evident by your many photo frames, or maybe you have an interest in art and have the prints to prove it. Whatever your style, if your bookcase is reflective of your true, authentic self, then you may be unwittingly tapping into one of this year’s most popular design trends: bookshelf wealth. A phrase born on TikTok, but which speaks to a look that’s been championed for centuries, the bookshelf wealth aesthetic is all about creating beautiful displays using yes, books, but also artwork, accessories and memorabilia that mean something to the curator. Despite its name, the trend has nothing to do with affluence; instead ‘wealth’ refers to the abundance of pursuits, tastes and, well, books that are characteristic of the person who embodies this trend. Drawing on a wider design movement that is going away from stark minimalism and towards more characterful spaces, the trend champions a lived-in style that feels deeply personable.

 

So, how do you achieve a look that is entirely geared towards the individual? The main answer is, of course, to curate your bookshelves as you would like them to look – with your novels, your artwork and your favourite accessories. But as with all design trends – even those that purport to be individual – there are common threads that you can weave into your own creation to bring the look to life. Here are a few of our ideas.

Pick a Bookcase over Shelves

This is by no means a hard-and-fast rule, but those who have been hailed as nailing the bookshelf wealth décor have typically used built-in or free-standing bookcases, rather than floating shelves. Perhaps it’s because this more traditional design style is geared towards those cosy, classic spaces where bookshelves slot in seamlessly, as opposed to clean, modern rooms where floating shelves may feel more natural. Bonus points if your bookcase is made from a sturdy, chunky wood that feels suitably classic in style. No space for shelves? Stack your chosen reads on chairs, in corners or arrange them artfully on top of a console table.

 

Stack Your Books in Different Ways

It’s not just where you stack your precious books but how you stack them that informs this look. Jaunty and eclectic are the words that describe bookshelf wealth style, so keep these in mind when putting it into practice. You could break up a traditional line-up by laying some of your books horizontally – in these instances, it’s best to keep them stacked in threes or fives, as odd numbers naturally look more pleasing to the eye ­– or use your prettiest covers as artwork and arrange them facing outwards. Keep a little breathing room between your stacks to stop them look from feeling too chaotic ­– fill the gaps with accessories, plants or photo frames to bring your personal style to the fore.

Collect, Don’t Clutter

The bookshelf wealth Tiktok trend decrees that your display must look curated, but not too curated – so, how to tackle this design contradiction? The key is to pair your books with objects and accessories that you really love; don’t add something just for the sake of it. It’s better to have too many books than objects, so if something doesn’t look quite right, find a new home for it elsewhere in your house. When it comes to selecting your accessories, think about choosing colours that complement other pieces in your room – whether that be a rug, upholstery or artwork – and consider designs of different heights, too, as this will naturally make your display more pleasing to the eye.

 

Layer in Artwork

No space on your walls for artwork? Look to your shelves instead. This trend is all about layering in beautiful and personal details among your favourite reads, and art is a great way to bring a touch of character – not to mention colour – to the look. Prop a framed print on top of a stack of books, or lean it against the back of your bookcase for a nonchalant, eclectic feel. If you’re adding multiple works, try to include a mix of portrait and landscape, as well as sizes.

Take Books into Practical Spaces

Don’t feel you need to stick to sitting rooms for this trend; it will work in most spaces in the house. Take the kitchen, for example; the desire for more characterful homes has impacted the more practical rooms too, with the kitchen evolving to be a space where people not only cook but entertain and relax – pastimes perfectly suited to a bookshelf wealth backdrop. Why not intersperse your cookbooks with a selection of much-loved crockery, kitchenware and jugs? Remember, at the heart of this trend is creating a home that feels unique to you, so decorate it as you see fit. Simply put, it doesn’t matter what goes on your shelf, the only rule is to love it.