Tsundoku Décor—How to Style Stacks of Unread Books

Tranquil Reading Cove in home library — Photo:
James McDonald

There’s something uniquely fulfilling about purchasing a new book—even if you can’t possibly read every single one you buy. Books instantly invite a sense of wonder as we think about what words sit beyond the cover, ready to transport us into another world. They also double as art with their sturdy spines, embossed titles, and carefully designed covers.

The Japanese practice of tsundoku takes the idea that we can’t possibly read every book we purchase and instead embraces the notion, encouraging us to collect and acquire for the sake of being surrounded by the beauty of books. So, how do you artfully display books to provide these pages with the respect they’re owed? We spoke to designers for their best advice on beautifully displaying those books, whether you ever actually read them or not.

What Is Tsundoku?

Tsundoku is a Japanese practice that involves acquiring books—likely more than you could ever read—and letting them pile up around you. The term actually combines two different words:

tsunde: "to stack things"
oku: "leave for a while"

So many of us have purchased one book after the other, often with the intention of eventually flipping open the pages but without any sort of urgency. What naturally ends up happening is that we nurture a collection of unread books. Instead of feeling any sort of guilt about it, tsundoku says to embrace your growing collection and continue collecting as you desire. It's a common occurrence among book lovers and viewed as both a passion for literature and bit of a guilty pleasure.

01 of 10

Create a Side Table

home library tsundoku — Lindsay Brown / Avery Cox

One of the best ways to embrace tsundoku is to let the books themselves serve as your decor. "Stack a few large beautiful art books on a coffee table with a small plant or object on top," suggests Malak Bellajdel, an interior designer at Interior Moderna. "It's a simple way to add personality to your living room."

02 of 10

Build a Bookshelf Wreath

bookshelf wreath idea — J.L. Jordan Photography

A wall of bookshelves or "bookshelf wreath"—which are bookshelves that surround a doorway—can serve as a striking focal point no matter the room. "Filled with books and curated objects, it tells a personal story about the home and the people who live there," says Stephanie Mahaney, creative director at Stephanie Rae Interiors.

03 of 10

Display Them As a Headboard

Books as headboard — Matt Gresham / Urbanology Designs

Similarly, you can create a vertical built-in bookshelf just above your bed to double as a sort of artsy headboard as done here by Urbanology Designs. Founder Ginger Curtis says, "Integrating sculptural elements, bold color accents, or hidden compartments within the wall can make it feel more like an art installation than a traditional bookcase, offering both visual and practical delight."

04 of 10

Place Books in Your Bedside Table

bedside table tsundoku book storage — Hendricks Churchill / Chris Mottalini

The bedroom is a natural place to store piles of books, and what's more convenient than keeping a stack right next to the bed itself? "Bedside tables with open shelving offer an inviting space for stacked books, adding both aesthetic charm and a gentle reminder to pick them up and start reading your TBR list," Mahaney says.

05 of 10

Mix and Match on Your Shelves

mix and matched shelves with books and decor — Amy Bartlam

Mixing and matching your books and décor creates dimension and intrigue while also making book displays feel very intentional. "You can style your bookshelf with a mix of books and other decorative elements such as art objects, framed photos, or plants," says Alice Moszczynski, interior designer at Planner 5D. "Arranging books both horizontally and vertically and using bookends adds a touch of style and creates a nice display."

06 of 10

Surround a Reading Nook

reading nook library — Kip Dawkins Photography

The mere mention of "reading nook" is enough to put a smile on any book lover's face. Bring the idea to fruition in your own home by carving out a cozy reading area (it doesn't have to be recessed—any corner will do) and then surrounding the space with vertical shelves filled with rows of books.

07 of 10

Try a Floating Display

Floating Book Display — Jenifer McNeil Baker

If you’re short on floor space, Bellajdel says that floating shelves are a great go-to option. "You can arrange them in different interesting patterns on the wall and even mix in some small decorative objects for variety," she suggests.

08 of 10

Display Them by Color

color coded book storage — Erin Meyers Design

For a more eclectic look, try grouping books by color to create a sort of rainbow effect. This turns your bookshelf into a striking piece of art while allowing you to seamlessly integrate your collection, Moszczynski says. She adds, "Stacking books in piles, either horizontally or vertically, and using them as platforms for other items like lamps or small sculptures can create a feature that enhances the visual appeal of your tables and shelving."

09 of 10

Get Creative By Showing the Paper Side

paper side of books — Matt Gresham / Urbanology Designs

Book bindings are beautiful, but don't write off the allure of their soft, paper-y undersides. Here, Urbanology Designs created an intriguing display of books in a lofted space by stacking them both vertically and horizontally.

10 of 10

Make Yourself a Little Library

at home library idea — Barr Joinery & Lucy Walters

If you're in the abundance growth phase of your book collecting, consider creating your very own little library. The best way to do this is by creating an entire wall of books, ideally packed together tightly. "This is a brilliant way to keep things organized while adding a creative twist," Curtis says. "By tightly packing books together in traditional vertical rows, but then introducing a few horizontal stacks on top of those rows, you create visual interest without sacrificing structure."

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