Shelf life
What to do with all those books?
“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?” quipped Albert Einstein, a man who would undoubtedly have had no truck with Marie Kondo and The Life-Changing
Magic of Tidying Up, especially the bit in which she recommends limiting book collections to no more than 30.
Like fresh flowers, candles and powerful shower heads, books make a home comfortable. They contribute to who we are.
But Kondo does have a point: too many, all over the house, can feel cumbersome.
So, while true bliss may not lie in a radically purged home, there is joy to be found in an expertly decorated bookcase.
Here are a few tips:
Bookshelves aren’t just for books. Fill those shelves with decorative items — big and small — as well as novels. Start with bigger objects first, baskets, vases, artworks, large framed photographs etc, and fit books around them. Place framed works at the back of the shelves, with smaller found items or horizontal books in front.
Tip the axis. Don’t just stack books vertically. Mix up sizes, colours, thicknesses and axes — vertical, diagonal and horizontal.
Co-ordinate. A colour-blocked bookshelf is an artwork in itself. Take a look on Pinterest. A rainbow of beautifully colour-co-ordinated titles is incredibly satisfying. Go on, you know you want to. There’s a Marie Kondo in everyone.
Upgrade. Break up that boxy grid of a bookcase by hanging artwork on it. Hang lightweight mirrors from ribbons; nail hooks into crossbars to support more massive prints. It’s an interesting effect, but it can be distracting and is best saved for large, floorto-ceiling bookcases.
Call yourself a “shelfie”. Think of your bookcase as a vignette, with the books as a backdrop. Choose objects with regard to interest and dimension, giving them room to breathe so everything feels considered. “Shelfies” take shelves seriously. Light up. Add lighting. Battery LEDs work best. Break up the boring. Consider covering the back panel of your bookcase with a vibrant wallpaper design. Short on pennies? Try inexpensive wrapping paper, especially in a child’s room.