What Is the Bookshelf Wealth Decor Trend and How to Get the Look

Interior design trends continue to rebound from the stark minimalism of recent years with the constant influx of more cozy, inviting, and personal aesthetics. Think Grandmillenial. Cottagecore. Dark Academia.

The latest decor style aesthetic that caught my attention on social media?

“Bookshelf Wealth“.

The casual and collected look in all the photos online had me at their Nancy Meyers movie styling! My interest was piqued immediately—I needed to know more about this latest social media craze.

What Is the Bookshelf Wealth Trend?

Bookshelf Wealth is not at all about how much money you have in the bank. But its overall vibe is one we associate with historic homes with wonderful built-in bookshelves, beautiful millwork, and old money.

But instead of requiring us to actually be rich, this aesthetic is about displaying a wealth of carefully curated books, artwork, and objects on bookshelves that surround homeowners with things they love. Books they’ve read. Collected artwork that brings joy. Heirlooms and souvenirs that bring back memories. All to create a special comforting space that money can’t buy.

A now-viral TikTok video by San Diego-based interior designer Kailee Blalock sums up “bookshelf wealth”. In her guide, she explains to get the bookshelf wealth style we need to:

Embracing bookshelf wealth goes beyond simply arranging books on shelves. It’s an opportunity to infuse your own personal taste and unique style into your home decor. This “new” design trend celebrates lived-in interiors, and the quiet luxury of a space filled with carefully curated collections and meaningful items.

Bookcase wealth takes its cue from historic homes with their gorgeous floor-to-ceiling shelves layered with volumes of books, artwork, and curated home decor. So should we really be calling this traditional and timeless style a trend? In my book (pun intended), now it just has a name. This is an anti-trend. Why? Because it’s been around for hundreds of years. And you can’t just go to HomeGoods and load your cart with the latest to get the look.

Authentic “Bookshelf Wealth” follows a few rules:

• Shelves should be stacked with books that the owner has actually read—not just books for display or show.
• The books aren’t perfectly arranged by color or size. Their placement is casual and not tidy or orderly, but more as if they were randomly popped back onto the shelf after reading.
• Bookshelf wealth style goes beyond books and includes carefully curated art pieces and collected personal objects special to the homeowner.
• The broader aesthetic includes features seen in historic old homes that add character. Not just built-in bookcases, but details like wood molding, paneling, and stained glass windows.

Creating the Bookshelf Wealth Look.

Trying to get the bookshelf wealth look can walk a fine line between cozy and curated, and cluttered and chaotic. Even though the look is lived-in and less orderly, if you’re not careful your room might cross over into a candidate for “Hoarders”. If you’re blessed to have so many books and tchotchkes that you care about, be selective to display only the very best ones.

Let’s check out some basic tips to successfully style this look:

Books and Bookshelves.

Obviously, you start with bookshelves. Built-ins are ideal, but you can also display your collection in a freestanding bookcase or open shelving.

Next, come the books. For an avid reader who has spent a long time building their literary collection, this interior design trend offers the perfect opportunity to showcase their literary treasures!

Fill most of the shelving with favorite books you’ve read, that connected with you, or that you plan to read. They shouldn’t match in color or size. Arrange them casually. Let some slant. Stack some on their sides. Leave a bit of negative space here and there.

Artwork.

Including artwork is another essential to getting this look. Showcase that oil painting you bought at an antique store years ago. Scout flea markets and thrift shops for great affordable pieces. The key to adding art to a bookshelf wealth room is to make it look like it was casually placed as if it was collected over the years.

• Tuck in smaller art among the books.
• Hang art on the front of bookcases (a hallmark of this style).
• Layer art stacked one in front of the other.
• Set art on the floor.
• Hang curated art asymmetrically on adjacent walls.

Personal Treasures.

To add even more visual interest to break up the books, infuse your bookshelf display with decorative items that have a personal connection, from cherished family heirlooms to souvenirs from your travels. Throw in a few small sculptures, vases, or plants.

SH&H Tip: Take care that the decorative objects aren’t too small (less than 5-6″) or they’ll read as clutter.

Lighting.

Highlight your special books and collections by adding picture lighting to the top of the bookcases to make the room feel more library-like. Or upgrade built-in shelves with some LED lights for a cozy glow.

Sconces installed on the front of the shelves are also a beautiful, classic home look!

Nearby Seating Area.

And finally, create a cozy reading nook to indulge your love of reading by pairing your bookshelves with a cozy chair, window seat, or seating area. Rich fabric textures like velvet and leather and overstuffed furniture are commonly seen in bookcase wealth style rooms.

If you love timeless interior design styles with cozy aesthetic appeal, you might enjoy the post “The Epic Guide to the Coastal Grandmother Style Trend“.

Personally, I’ll probably just enjoy the photos of this look. I think my inner neat freak would always feel the need to pare it down and straighten out the books in my own home. What do you think about the buzz around this design style? Let us know in the comments!

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