There’s a new trend circulating in the social media cosmos, and we’re here for it. Step aside cottagecore, bookshelf wealth is officially a thing. The term has racked up more than 1.7 million views on TikTok, and it has everybody reorganizing their shelves in a newfound redecorating frenzy.
What Is the Bookshelf Wealth Aesthetic?
But what is bookshelf wealth? It is a curated selection of shelved things (not necessarily books!) that are meaningful to you—books, art, collected objects—displayed in a lived-in, acquired style. And you can forget about prescriptive trends like rainbow-organized bookshelves, black-and-white looks, or (gasp!) books turned backwards: True bookshelf wealth is the rejection of the perfectly manicured, clean-cut homes that have reigned supreme in recent years in favor of coziness, layering, and character. It can be maximalist, minimalist, monotone, or bohemian. It simply has to be authentic to you.
“It’s a whole home vibe,” explains House of Hive’s Kailee Blalock in a TikTok post that has received 1.3 million views. “Obviously there are books, but the difference is that these aren’t display books, these are books that have actually been curated and read.”
Art is of the utmost importance, she adds, but it’s not displayed traditionally. “It’s hung in front of bookcases, displayed on the floor, literally overlapping each other, definitely not hung in a straight line, and is fully disregarding the bounds of the wall molding.”
In these homes, historic elements are often preserved as well, whether that means keeping your stained-glass windows or embracing traditional wood molding.
How Do I Give My House a Dose of Bookshelf Wealth?
Considering jumping on the bandwagon? The first thing one needs is a bookshelf of some kind. Whether that’s a built-in situation, floating shelves, or simply a generously proportioned side table—your museum-worthy collection needs a platform. Next, try stacking books on various shelves and even other surfaces in the room. You can decide how you want to group these books, but the key here is to include books that mean something to you or that you have a personal connection to.
Your next order of business involves bringing in objects that spark joy. They can be objets d’art, artwork, risers, or plants. You can even incorporate objects that go beyond the shelf itself, from library ladders to task lighting to furniture. They simply need to be intentionally chosen and specific to you. “You need to appreciate the act of collecting things and surround yourself with things that fill your soul,” explains San Diego–based interior designer Blalock, who posted a how-to guide for the burgeoning trend. Now play around with balance, proportions, patterns, and colors to create a layered look that feels a little bit haphazard.
And of course, the homes shown in the ELLE DECOR archive have been flaunting the look for years, so before you take to the stacks, get inspired. Ahead, 15 bookshelf wealth design examples editors love. Happy mismatching!
Get Inspired
Rachel Silva, the Assistant Digital Editor at ELLE DECOR, covers design, architecture, trends, and anything to do with haute couture. She has previously written for Time, The Wall Street Journal, and Citywire.
