How To Decorate with Thrifted & Vintage Books: 10+ Creative Ideas
Hey Friends! As a passionate book lover, I’m not only drawn to a good story but also to the vintage books that bring so much character to our home. The faded patina and well-loved feel of old books instantly add a curated, cozy feel to any space. If you love the thrill of thrifting for unique finds, you’ll love these creative ways to decorate with your book collections. Let me show you some of my favorite ideas for styling a farmhouse with vintage books.
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Traditional Vintage Book Decor Ideas
Today, we will explore both traditional and unique ways to decorate with vintage books. When browsing thrift stores, I’m always on the lookout for old classic books, unique book covers, and miniature books. I also enjoy shopping for colors. I have a good selection of red, blue, and green book covers. I’ve recently added more vibrant colors, such as yellow and orange. When decorating seasonally, it’s easy to add a punch of color by just adding a few colorful books.
Book Shelves, Cupboards, & Wall Shelves
Obviously, a bookshelf overflowing with well-worn book covers adds a cozy feel to any space. To draw attention to your shelf display, vary the sizes of your books and turn them in different directions. Lay a stack flat on he shelf or turn the spine to the back of the shelf. This works well for dark shelves or cupboards, as it allows the white pages to brighten the area.
Mantel Decorating with Books
Another favorite space to use thrifted and vintage books is on mantels. You can use bookends to display a selection of your favorite titles or as props for greenery or flower displays.
Miniature Book Collections
I have to admit that I’m a sucker for mini-books—especially a vintage collection. I’ve been fortunate to find some of my favorites in thrift stores. If you are shopping in antique stores, a vintage set will put a dent in your pocketbook.
I will mix and match my mini-books with regular-sized books for fun book stacks and on bookcases. However, I recently gathered several of my collections to display on a wall shelf in our living room.
The faded, red, black, and blue jackets include authors such as Edgar Allen Poe, Shakesphere, Tennyson, Keats, Longfellow, Dickens, and more!
How To Decorate with Vintage Books – Unique Fillers
Pulling books from my collections has allowed me to create unique vignettes throughout the farmhouse. It’s rare for a shelf, mantel, or side table display not to include a vintage book or two.
Glass Cloche With Vintage Books
Adding a few of my classic vintage books under a glass cloche is one way to draw attention to these unique finds. Place seasonal decor or architectural elements to complete the vignette.
Book Filled Lanterns and Birdcages
Place your book collections in unexpected places. Use them to fill a lantern or to add creative interest to a birdcage display.
Seasonal Vignettes
My red book collection comes in handy for the holidays such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Patriotic holidays.
Tuck a few mini books inside a wooden bowl filled with holiday cheer.
Or add them to a vintage tool box to create a cozy Valentine’s display.
Old Book Risers
I have several wooden risers that I use to decorate tablescapes. However, a stack of faded books makes for a stunning riser on this entry table fall vignette.
Coffee Table Books
I have several old and new coffee table books. They add just the perfect sophisticated touch to a coffee table vignette. They can elevate other items in the display or allow their beautiful covers to add to your decorating style.
Vintage Children’s Books
seasonal to collect vintage seasonal children’s books. I have several Christmas books and love to add them under the tree or use them to fill baskets or crates.
Tie a ribbon around a stack of old children’s books to add to seasonal tablescapes or bookcases.
Inexpensive Thrift Store Book Finds
I love to dig through the bins of old books at our Salvation Army thrift store. Most often it’s 10 for a dollar. I occasionally find a vintage book or something I want to read. But to make up the 10, I usually bring home a few undesirable selections. But never fear, here are some ways I still find a use for those books.
Deconstructed Thrift Store Books
Did you know you can deconstruct old or damaged books and give them new life on your bookcase? Just remove the covers, stack them, and tie a ribbon or jute twine around the stack. They are great for neutral decorating and to brighten dark shelves.
Add Paper Book Covers To Thrifted Books
Another fun way to get creative and decorate with your thrift store books is to add paper book covers. You can fill a bookcase with unique, one-of-a-kind books for a chic, modern look.
Here are a few options for creating unique book covers…
- Kraft Paper – Plain or white works well. You can leave the covers plain, or if you prefer, stamp, or paint designs on the covers.
- Wrapping Paper – The options are unlimited here.
- Old Wallpaper – If you can find vintage, YAY!
- Scrapbook Paper
- Fabric Bookcovers to work with bedding, etc.
- Print Vintage Paper designs – I downloaded these vintage wallpaper designs from Etsy.
Old Book Page Crafts
Another way to utilize those undesirable books is by crafting projects using old book pages. I also love finding old-time-worn magazines and music pages for this purpose.
For the rustic cloche below, I rolled several sheet music pages and tied them with jute twine. With the addition of a pinecone and dried okra pods,
Here are the projects I’ve made using old book pages.
Dollar Tree Wood Leaf Craft / Leaf Garland / Dollar Tree Christmas Bells / Easter Egg Wreath / 3D Paper Heart Garland.
Rustic Christmas Village / Book Page Pumpkin / Rustic Decoupage Easter Eggs / Paper Rose Valentine’s Wreath / Dollar Tree Christmas Ornament Makeover.
Thrifting with the Gals
Today’s post is part of our monthly series, Thrifting with the Gals. If you are new to our series, we are friends who share a love for vintage and thrifted decorating. We all live in different parts of the country, but we come together once a month to share thrift store shopping ideas and tips on decorating with your treasures.
Here are the Gals:
- Ann from Dabbling and Decorating finds her treasures as she travels between Vermont and Maine. She decorates both homes with so many vintage treasures.
- Robyn from Robyn’s French Nest loves to travel and bring her vintage treasure to her lovely Florida Home.
- Lora from Lora Bloomquist Create and Ponder is thrifting and picking up amazing roadside finds to decorate her home in Minnesota.
- I am from North Carolina and love filling my farmhouse and beach cottage with thrift store finds. I focus on budget-friendly decorating and DIY projects.
https://www.lorabloomquist.com/ways-to-decorate-with-old-scales/Ann – Goodwill Northern New England Fall Decorating Ideas / Lora – How To Decorate With Old Scales / Robyn – Decorating with Glass Cloches for Fall
Love decorating with books too. There’s just a beautiful charm using old weathered hardcover books. There was one pic you took with a set of old books on a shelf with items hanging on hooks on the shelf underneath. I really like the thread spool with the lace hanging underneath. I’m trying to remember if you had a DIY for that. It’s so sweet. Thank you as always for your lovely pics.
Cindy,
I’m so glad you liked this post. Yes, the vintage thread spools was a previous DIY projects. Here’s the link.https://www.thepondsfarmhouse.com/how-to-repurpose-vintage-wooden-spools-diy/
Vintage books are one of my favorites, too, Rachel. I love all of your ideas and thinking of you and following along with your journal!
Ann,
Thank you and I appreciate your warm thoughts.
Great post, Rachel! So many wonderful ideas for decorating with thrifted books. 10 for $1 is a great price;)
Lora,
Thank you! There’s a lot of junk to wade through but I usually find a few gems.
So many great ways to style books! they sure add a lot of character.
Wendy,
Thank you! I’m glad you like them.
I never thought to put books under a cloche or tucked under a Christmas tree. That is so cute! All of your styling ideas are perfect.
I’ve been reading your healing journal, and was also encouraged by the message you got a couple of days ago. God is amazing, and His grace is with you. Continued prayers for quick healing and a smooth chemo session. Keep up the excellent work you’re doing! Big hugs
Cindy,
Thank you for your sweet comments and for following along on my journal. It’s been such a slow process and one I never expected. I appreciate you and all your support.
I love some of your creative uses of books but not sure this bookaholic could use pages from even an old book for crafts! 🤣🤣. While I don’t physically “know” you I feel I do as I read your blogs and want you to know how proud I am of your approach to your journey and your strength in your journey! Keep it up! Peace!
Cindi,
I get that a lot, but I promise my book crafts are from old magazine pages or books that were already falling apart. No good books were harmed. Thank you for your sweet comments and I appreciate your well wishes.