Various Bookcases

Various Bookcases

Book ladders were first truly developed in the mid-19th century in Victorian England. Unlike the designs we see today, these stool-like objects were usually made of solid, intricately carved wood with only a few steps and were reserved for the nobility. Fast forward to now, and there are a ton of models to choose from. Depending on the size and accessibility of the relevant bookshelf, options include a rolling ladder with guide rails, a static model that doubles as an accent piece, or a design for a shorter wooden step that echoes the bookladder's 19th-century origins. All of these take an existing bookshelf design to new heights and add an eye-catching element to the room, as seen below.

Plant

In addition to significantly improving the air quality in a room, well-placed plants can make beautiful home book decorations. Choose from long, lush, leafy plants, as seen below in the Clare Cousins apartment project in Melbourne, Australia, or choose gorgeous colors that echo and enhance certain cover shades. One thing to watch out for is picking the right pot: using a more decorative pattern around the pot to meet the needs of a particular inhabitant is ideal as it keeps the plant healthy without compromising the overall design.

New Angle

Another bookshelf trick used in commercial spaces around the world is the right angle. Everyone knows a book shouldn't be judged by its cover, but what if that's precisely the point? A display stand or floating bookshelf upgrades the more traditional display of books, allowing readers to immediately marvel at the meticulous design of the cover, rather than just looking at the spine. But even without investing in a new piece of furniture, playing with different angles and adjusting the arrangement of books can lead to some unexpected design ideas. Especially when combined with the right lighting angle, a clever arrangement can turn even the most humble bookshelf into a museum-quality collection.