How Bookshelf Wealth Became the Ultimate Status Symbol

2025.04.15

This year, the ultimate status symbol isn't having a Ferrari, or a Rolex, or even an expensive designer bag. According to TikTok, the ultimate flex is owning a great number of books and—this is critical—staging them well.

Since its inception in early 2024, the term ‘bookshelf wealth’  has racked up 1.9 million views on TikTok, inundating one’s social media algorithm with cozy rooms worthy of a Vanderbilt estate. Think sinkable armchairs, patterned wallpaper, sophisticated-looking decor objects, fine artwork, and, of course, many books.

Books have long been associated with intellect and prestige, but today, they are more than just literary treasures. The way they are arranged and showcased can speak volumes about the homeowner’s style. Whether you're an avid reader or simply want to present an air of refinement, a well-styled bookshelf can serve as the focal point of a room, conveying a sense of affluence and cultural depth. Inherent in this look, we must add, one must actually like to read.

While the bookshelf wealth trend celebrates the culture and presence of books, there’s also a design element to it. It’s not about cramming your shelves full. Instead, the key lies in thoughtful curation, as well as consideration of the room’s overall aesthetic, from seating to textiles to interesting objects.

If you, too, have deliberately avoided the Kindle world and continue to treasure the physical beauty of books, own that in your personal space. Ahead, we’re sharing six utterly novel ways to achieve the bookshelf wealth look in your home.

1. Invest in Custom Shelving

First things first: the bookshelves. Investing in custom shelving, DIY or paid, allows you to design a personalized and luxurious display that perfectly suits your space. It can create that library look many of us are going for. Custom shelving offers the opportunity to use high-quality materials like rich woods, glass, or metal finishes, and enables you to tailor the shelving layout to your collection, incorporating niches for art, artifacts, or even integrated lighting. But more than anything, it can create a seamless, architectural look that adds sophistication and a sense of permanence to the room.

2. Curate High-Quality Books

Color-coded books can create a pleasing, curated look.

And now onto the books. Curating a worthy bookshelf is about creating a thoughtful collection that reflects your taste, interests, and values. Be intentional about what mix of genres best suit you, from timeless literary classics to contemporary design and art books. If it’s something you care about, invest in beautiful editions—whether leather-bound volumes, or aesthetically pleasing hardcovers that not only stand out on the shelf but also serve as decor elements. Include a range of sizes and textures to add depth to your display, and consider special editions or rare finds to elevate the collection. Above all, choose books that inspire you, spark conversation, and bring a personal touch to your space.

If you’re really getting into it, consider how to organize your books. You can arrange them by color or theme to create a visually cohesive and stylish display that turns your books into an artful backdrop. There’s always the ROYGBIV approach for a colorful aesthetic. One might also consider genre or author name, for a more logical approach to book finding.

3. Personalize with Artifacts

Personalizing a home bookshelf with artifacts can transform it from a functional storage space into a curated display that tells a story. Incorporate meaningful objects like travel souvenirs, vintage pieces, or family heirlooms to give your bookshelf a personal touch. Mixing textures and materials—such as ceramics, metals, or wood—adds visual interest, while varying the sizes of the items creates depth. These objects bring personality and a sense of culture to your bookshelf.

You can also bring in tasteful decorative objects like sculptures, antique vases, and even touches of opulence through accessories such as marble bookends, gold or brass accents, crystal decor, or leather boxes. These luxurious materials elevate the overall look and underscore wealth.

4. Integrate Artwork

Bringing artwork into your bookshelf design adds a layer of sophistication and creativity. To achieve this, consider propping small framed pieces or prints on the shelves alongside books and decor, allowing the artwork to stand out without overwhelming the display. You can also lean artwork against the back of the shelves for a casual yet curated look. We also love the look of artwork hung over a bookshelf, even over the books. To do so, consider using Command hooks or Velcro strips for mounting, and install hooks or nails underneath the shelf if needed.

The key is to balance the proportions—pair larger artwork with fewer objects and smaller pieces with more intricate displays. By mixing textures and sizes, the bookshelf becomes an artful blend of literature and visual expression, adding character and elegance to your home.

5. Use Lighting to Highlight

Illuminating your shelves with strategic lighting can dramatically enhance both its functionality and visual appeal. Subtle, well-placed lighting, such as LED strip lights or small spotlights, can highlight the books and decorative items, making them stand out while also creating a warm, inviting glow. Consider using under-shelf lighting to illuminate each level, or place a statement lamp on a nearby surface to cast soft, ambient light across the bookshelf. For a more modern approach, recessed lights or integrated backlighting can add a sleek, contemporary look that adds depth and dimension.

6. Seating

Is there any setting more fitting to get to that cliffhanger ending than in an armchair that practically pulls you in? To truly lean into bookshelf wealth, one must consider seating and textiles. Plush seating, such as a velvet armchair or a well-upholstered chaise lounge, placed near the bookshelf, complements the richness of the books and decor (if it's not a siren call for you to take to the stacks for a book to plop down with). We also love a well-placed window seat.

Then, incorporate soft, textured textiles like throw pillows, blankets, or rugs in materials such as wool, cashmere, or silk to further enhance the opulent feel. These elements not only provide comfort but also add layers of warmth and texture, creating an inviting space where the bookshelf becomes a symbol of both style and substance.

7. Rotate and Refresh

Rotating and refreshing your home bookshelf can keep the space feeling dynamic. Regularly swapping out books, artwork, and decorative objects allows you to showcase different aspects of your collection and keep the display interesting. You can introduce seasonal elements, like fresh flowers or seasonal decor, or bring in new textures and colors to refresh the space.