• The late fashion icon from Chanel opened a bookstore named 7L, which has been replicated at The Karl Lagerfeld Hotel in Macau. Meanwhile, Pier Djerejian-Shiever, an NYC-based interior stylist, consults for Hyatt and Rosewood hotels regarding books used as decorative items.

The selection of books you showcase in your home goes beyond revealing your individual preferences; they also loudly proclaim your sense of style and aesthetics—pardon the play on words.

In Victorian times, having a lavishly filled library with numerous books represented the epitome of elegance for affluent homeowners. Nowadays, showcasing a thoughtfully selected collection of coffee table books is considered indispensable in every exquisitely decorated residence.

“Incorporating books into interior design isn’t novel; however, as individuals have begun overflowing with volumes from their shelves or private collections, they’ve started exploring creative ways to arrange these on coffee tables at home. This practice has evolved and gained sophistication as it’s been adopted by upscale venues such as high-end hotels,” explains Pier Djerejian-Shiever, a New York-based interior stylist who counts major hotel chains like Hyatt and Rosewood among her clientele.

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Books have become highly coveted items among both thinkers and connoisseurs. It’s common to see celebrities flaunting their personal libraries in publications such as Architectural Digest. Late fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld was particularly fond of books—his collection exceeded 300,000 volumes—and even opened his own bookstore named 7L. Prestigious publishing houses like Assouline and Taschen have capitalized on this trend by producing visually appealing yet intellectually enriching books designed for display in various settings.

“Books serve as powerful visual indicators of a homeowner’s areas of interest. They instantly convey information about someone’s passions… acting as a discreet but potent means of influencing others’ perceptions of the individual,” explains Valeriane Moyersoen, the international sales director at Taschen.

As books have transformed into more of a decorative element, crafting the ideal coffee table “display,” as Djerejian-Shieber refers to it, requires some skill. Even though your choices should be guided by your personal preferences and may span various subjects like art, design, fashion, and cuisine, aesthetic aspects are just as crucial.

Just like a well-organized library typically sorts books alphabetically, thematically, or by author, there’s no specific order for arranging books on your coffee table. It has become trendy to organize books according to size or color—vivid collections like Assouline’s Travel Series make stunning visual displays perfect for social media posts—but professionals recommend opting for a more natural arrangement instead.

Alexandre Assouline, who leads operations, branding, and strategy for Assouline, explains, “I enjoy the concept of a structured disarray. I like to bring specific groups together while deliberately violating norms using various dimensions and hues.”

He enjoys placing various objects next to his books, arranging them either horizontally or vertically. This method introduces an eclectic and aesthetically pleasing component to the space, resulting in a vibrant and distinctive presentation.

Although candles and home scents are typical choices, additional suggestions encompass petite plants or blossoms to introduce elevation and vibrancy. Meanwhile, ceramics and various art pieces can reflect deeper aspects of your character. Djerejian-Shieber suggests incorporating board games into the mix—if room permits—as these frequently stimulate dialogue just as effectively as reading material does.

“Remember your coffee table serves as the centrepiece of a social space. I suggest clients look down at the table from above to get a better idea of scale and proportion. You don’t want to have your table appear too crammed as at the end of the day it also needs to be functional. You want to be able to fit a glass on there,” she says.

If you have enough area, books can function not only as decorative elements on coffee tables or bookshelves but also as functional pieces of furniture. Current trends involve arranging them into stacked columns that highlight prominent features within the room like fireplaces. Placing a wooden board over these piles transforms them into temporary consoles. Additionally, they can act as chic platforms for lifting items placed on shelves—such as statues, potted plants, or ornamental vessels—to create visual interest.

There’s no need for your book collection to be limited to living rooms or libraries. Today, many individuals are showcasing their favorite reads in unconventional spots like kitchens and even bathrooms. Professionals recommend selecting lighter fare for these zones, such as Taschen’s Gourmand Series.

Djerejian-Shiever mentions enjoying the sight of cookbooks or any food-related literature alongside piles of mugs and dishes in the kitchen. Joke books and travel guides fit well in the bathroom. For visitors staying over, she finds joy in handpicking several books for them to read as they relax in their guestroom.

Finally, feel free to shake things up and alter your displays occasionally.

Never bore, always excite” remains one of my favorite mantras and serves as a crucial styling guideline for me even now,” states Moyersoen. “Books ought not to remain static and collect dust; instead, they should be regarded as dynamic items that you can rearrange however you wish. It’s perfectly fine to display a book prominently, engage with it, grow tired of it over time, place it on a shelf, and swap it out for something else before revisiting and rediscoving it again.

Suggestions for arranging your bookshelves at home

1. Older and rare editions appear less forced, adding more character to your presentations.

2. Rather than using color-coded displays, try out a monochromatic scheme or opt for books featuring distinctive or tactile cover designs.

3. Do not overlook bookends. They enable you to experiment with various heights and depths, and are available in contemporary materials like acrylic.

4. Merge vertical and horizontal spines for a more disorganized appearance.

5. Convert your bookshelf into a display stand for various decorative items.

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The article initially appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), which serves as the premier source of news covering China and Asia.

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