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(photo by perfectbound)

For as long as we can remember, we’ve had a love affair with books. Days at the library far exceeded days at the beach in fun. As a result, we’ve accumulated quite a number of books. Some are sets, some are growing collections, but the all fill our apartment finding themselves in every corner imaginable. Naturally, they’ve become part of the decor. And as we’re always looking for budget friendly ways to add charm to our space, this solution is simple!

(photo by perfectbound)

So how can you work books into your home in new and interesting ways? Luckily, it doesn’t take much to make a statement; just a little ingenuity. We searched high and low and gathered a few of our favourite solutions that go beyond the typical shelf or library approach. And the best part is it won’t take much money or work to get these looks into your own space. Now, who doesn’t love that?

left: ©Brantlea Newbery, right: Marie Claire Maison

CLICK HERE for the rest of the post after the jump!

(left: gragegirl (Flickr), right: Marie Claire Maison)

(left: The Sugar Monster (Flickr), right: ohjanet (Flickr)

(left: technekai (Flickr), right: Apartment Therapy)

Is it just us, or does someone else feel like hitting up a yard sale for a few of those boxes of $0.25 paperbacks?

I am always in need of more book storage ideas (I’d kill for some built-ins!). Over the past few months I’ve managed to acquire another bookcase’s worth of books (too many nice weekend days wandering into bookstores and yard sales!). I considered stacking them like in the photo on the middle left but I am afraid they will tip over (especially if I want to take one from the middle of the stack). I know there are bookcases that mimic this effect but I don’t really want to spend a lot of cash on it.

I am a self-admitted book addict. So, of course, I drool over every photo above. But that third one (from LivingEtc.) does make me a bit anxious: how do they find the book they want??? Though, I suppose part of the fun would be excavating through them. :)

Sarah: We agree with alivicwil. The basic make-up of one of those shelves wouldn’t prove too hard to DIY for much less. Especially if it’ll be hidden behind your books anyway!

Words&Eggs: The fun would be in creating a new configuration after you’ve found the one you’re looking for! But we venture this display method is best suited as just that: display. Wouldn’t want to dig through your masterpiece!

Thanks so much for all the comments so far, everyone! We’re glad to have found others who love staring at books as much as we do!

Oh, God, I adore how that bottom right photo looks, but I don’t think I could ever do that to a book!
My heart, it breaks at the very thought!
Not quite, but whatever.
I love the bottom left one, however. That’s just fantastic.

Charming, I adore books! Piles of books always make me happy.

But as much as I’ve enjoyed cutting up and reworking books myself, looking at these lovely photos I can’t help but feel an irrational urge to ‘rescue’ some of these. Irregardless of the cleverness. An inate urge to ‘preserve and archive’.

& Love the Penguin Classics.

Love that ceiling display! Kind of limits your options if you actually like to read your books though doesn’t it. I’d really love a way to display my big art/coffee table books without damaging them but I just can’t think of one… particularly for a tiny dusty London flat! hmms.

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