What is Bookshelf Wealth and How Can You Add the Look to Your Home?

TikTok has spoken and there's a new interior trend on the horizon — bookshelf wealth. Following in the footsteps of Cottagecore, Coastal Grandma Aesthetic and Tomato Girl Summer, bookshelf wealth is all about cozy, charming spaces filled with — you guessed it — books. These spaces are often found in historic homes, incorporate a lot of art and collected objects and are owned by true maximalists. Luckily, the trend is easy to recreate with thrifted items and things you likely already have. Here are the top ten ways you can add bookshelf wealth to your home.

The first step to getting the bookshelf wealth look in your home is to, of course, have books — and a lot of them. But unlike with typical shelf styling where the prettier the book, the better, these books are less about looks and more about sentimental value. They should be ones you've read, cherish and want to lovingly display. Try mixing the way the books are stacked by standing some upright and turning some on their sides for added interest.

Incorporating beloved collections into your shelves is the second most important component of bookshelf wealth. Objects help fill out the shelves, keep the eye interested and can double as handy bookends. Try sprinkling collections of similar items throughout your shelves, like this designer did with matching plates and vases, to create unity.

Incorporating art in unconventional ways is one of the foundations of bookshelf wealth. Hanging art on top of shelves makes the frame pop, while also drawing the eye to the books behind. You can also lean art in front of the shelves, place smaller pieces on top of a stack of books or create a gallery wall nearby. The more art, the better, so don't be afraid to layer pieces in front of each other either.