"Bookshelf Wealth" = Interior Stealth in 2024

In the dynamic world of interior design, a trend known as "bookshelf wealth" is gaining momentum as the first interior design trend of 2024. This concept goes beyond just aesthetics and dives into the world of curated literature that elevates bookshelves, offering a glimpse into the passions and interests of homeowners and renters alike.

“Bookshelf Wealth for 2024 is all about embracing a cozy and lived-in look rather than the super sleek and minimalistic vibes we've been seeing.” Said Kelleigh Beckett of ImperfectHomemaking.com. “Art and other treasures now share center stage with your book collection. It's the kind of shelf that never gets old and isn't done but has been growing and changing over time.”

Ally Boldan

Ally Boldan

“‘Bookshelf wealth’ may be picking up steam because we're oversaturated with the same old inspiration,” says Halie Porter, Founder & Lead Designer at Swann Street Interiors, suggesting that "bookshelf wealth" is on the rise due to oversaturation with conventional inspiration. She notes, "Just as individuals curate their content or social media feed to convey a certain vibe, people are now curating their homes to reflect their interests. Each book or object becomes a Pin on their real-life mood board."

Valerie de la Rosa of The Weary Educator adds, "Coffee table books are not only visually stunning but also narrate captivating stories about various facets of life."

The selection of coffee table books is a highly personal choice. Your coffee table books should display your interests, so there's no linear path you should take, and the opportunities to curate your collection are endless. Porter states that the average coffee table book is typically at least 9” x 11” and at least 1” thick.

HOT TIP: Opt in for a hardcover over a paperback book to achieve a more put-together look.

As for me, I started collecting coffee table books in 2019. I was in college and had just moved into my first off campus house, I let my passion for interior design absolutely run wild. As I started to pick out pieces of furniture, it was apparent to me that something had to cover all that surface space, and I was going to make sure it was enticing. Coffee table books became my go-to.

I realized how much the presence of eye-catching books adds to a space. They offer an immersive experience. With stunning covers and flipping through high-quality printed pages, it’s a special way to experience new and familiar realms of knowledge with a sense of nostalgia.

How to Achieve “Bookshelf Wealth”:

DKT Interior Design

DKT Interior Design

DKT Interior Design

DKT Interior Design

Porter stated that unlike the name “bookshelf wealth” would imply, it’s crucial to layer in objects other than books very intentionally.

Anything from prints, mirrors, candles, vases, decorative trays, baskets, and trinkets are all welcome party guests. You need rich components to achieve “bookshelf wealth.”

Over the past five years, curating my visual bookshelf collection involved extensive research and introspection…they’re part of my space, which is an extension of myself. I spend a lot of time appreciating my collection each day (maybe because I have 25+ in my apartment and they’re everywhere, so I have to…not to mention I have an inordinate amount of trinkets); but when I spend that much time appreciating something, I want to make sure it aligns with my passions and eclectic aesthetic.

Personal Bookshelf

I fell in love with ASSOULINE’s “Travel Collection” and became determined to collect volumes from places I've visited. My collection continues to grow, with each book becoming a treasured possession.

In the ever-evolving interior design landscape, the "bookshelf wealth" trend signifies more than a design choice—it's a curated reflection of one's identity. Celebrate the artistry within the pages of each carefully chosen volume.

“I like to layer by size like on my bookshelf, the biggest books at the bottom going in a pyramid granting to small little books. For my coffee table, I like to layer and fan out the pieces,” said Ally Boldan.

Now, for a special treat, presenting Dhilnawaaz Trotman's complete guide to "Bookshelf Wealth."

Look for publications from renowned publishers such as:

Rizzoli, Taschen, Abrams, the publisher of choice for Vogue, ASSOULINE, and artists like Gray Malin and Slim Aarons.

Beckett had this to say on some of the top coffee table books to look out for: “The Family of Man" filled with incredible photographs celebrating the human condition by Edward Steichen from 1955, or Yann Arthus-Bertrand's "Earth from Above" for those mind-blowing aerial photographs of life on Earth and the changes wrought by our very existence on it. But frankly, with "bookshelf wealth," it's less about what you fill them with than how you style them, right?

Personal Bookshelf