The Rise of "Bookshelf Wealth"

Is it the most lucrative interior design trend of 2024? With the rise of the book community of TikTok (also known as #booktok), perhaps it was inevitable that a trend like bookshelf wealth would come along. With over 1.7 million views on TikTok, this interior design trend is all about achieving a curated, lived-in aesthetic.

What is Bookshelf Wealth?

Bookshelf wealth represents the middle ground between minimalist and maximalism, with undeniable influences from the cosy cottage aesthetic of cottagecore as well as the “old money” aesthetics of quiet luxury and dark academia.

As remote working becomes increasingly popular in the post-covid landscape, we are all seeking interior spaces that look beautiful while feeling cosy – a design choice that is leading many away from the all-white Scandi-Japandi interiors and into the arms of softer interiors.

How to Style Bookshelf Wealth

With bookshelf wealth, your books become beloved pieces of art to curate, organise, and display – all in the pursuit of expressing your very own design ethos. Alongside the centrepiece of the bookshelf, picture framed art displayed unconventionally or propped against walls, with traditional patterns and architectural features like wood panelling or stained-glass windows.

Earlier this year, we discussed the history of maximalism, specifically, the influence of the Wunderkammer on Victorian interior design styles. With bookshelf wealth, we’re seeing a return to the sense of curating and collecting – filling your home with meaningful wonders and personal treasures. Bookshelf wealth places a heavy focus on displaying the books you actually enjoy reading and, in doing so, showcasing your personal taste.

Is Bookshelf Wealth Truly A Trend?

Looking from 2023 into 2024, we’ve seen a shift in the way interior design trends come and go. Notably, we’ve seen a big movement away from the rapid cycles of new fads and a renewed enthusiasm for (and preference towards) timeless trends. Bookshelf wealth is certainly not an interior design trend in the traditional sense, but only time will tell if it is truly timeless.

At Design Space, we take deep-dives into the world of interior design trends and industry insights – curated for interior design professionals like you.

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