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The only downside to being a dedicated page turner—I’ve read 18 books so far this year—is that I prefer hardcovers to e-books, and that creates a lot of inventory. (Yes, I have a library card, but hot titles in Brooklyn can take months to become free, and I’m also impatient.) Thankfully, a lifetime as a reader has given me a few tricks to (mostly) avoid filling my apartment with unsightly stacks. —Julie Vadnal, deputy editor
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On Board: Spine Tinglers
I’m not going to say books—or even reading!—is a trend, but I will say that in my own life, my collection has only grown, despite my apartment’s square footage staying the exact same. Thankfully, books can also act as decor if you know how to work with them, not against them.
Here are 10 ways I design around my bookish habit:
- These clever—and weighty!—bookends make your “to be read” lineup look like it’s wearing headphones.
- A good reading chair needs arms (for resting spines against) and depth (for cozy nook vibes). If you need me on a weekend, this is where I’ll be.
- Unpopular opinion: Most floor lamps create shadows across your pages. Personally, I’m a fan of overhead lighting. (I’ve even been known to say that people who aren’t must not be readers—don’t hate me!) I love the way this ceiling mount sets a room aglow.
- Plopping myself in Prospect Park with a novel, usually featuring an unlikable female protagonist, is one of my greatest pleasures (as long as young children aren’t scooting near me). I always pack a lightweight, machine washable quilt.
- In Jordan Ferney’s Soho loft, museum shelving shows off the covers of her favorite art books. I’m stealing this idea for my imaginary future home.
- I’m saving my copy of the summer novel that everyone’s talking about for an upcoming trip upstate. Bonus: The cover is graphic and cool enough to use as decor until then.
- Tacking on this shelving unit to my Thuma dresser would be a clever way to add storage without having to completely rearrange my furniture layout.
- I live mere steps from the original Books Are Magic store in Brooklyn, and this tote is my go-to for farmers’ market runs and vintage shopping hauls.
- Technically, this is a “tablet stand” (insert finger air quotes here), but I’m old school, so I use it to prop open cookbooks on my kitchen counter. It would look just as cool on a bookshelf showing off a favorite art tome.
- At my first job at Elle, the art director had two of these in his office, and nothing since has been chicer to me. I bought a replica for my apartment, but now that I’m older and wiser, I’m ready to spring for the O.G.