The Library Look (Without the Library Budget)
One of the most common questions I get about bookshelves is, “How do you make them feel full and layered without spending a fortune on accessories?”
My answer is almost always the same: books. Lots and lots of books.
A true library-style bookshelf feels layered and collected. It leans more academic than decorative. And while leather-bound sets are beautiful, they can add up quickly (think $300 for a set of 6 books)- especially when you’re filling an entire wall.
This is the exact approach I use to get that classic library look while keeping costs surprisingly low.
Step One: Thrift Stores Are Your Best Friend
I start by visiting thrift stores around town that sell books inexpensively- usually in the $2–$5 range. And yes, I go to multiple stores. This isn’t a one-stop situation!
When I’m browsing, I’m not reading titles or looking at covers. I’m flipping books sideways and scanning the short ends to see the actual color of the book itself (not the removable dust jacket).
The goal here isn’t perfection- it’s cohesion. I’m looking for books that generally live in the same color family so the shelves feel calm and intentional once everything is installed. Bonus points for books with textured pages like this!
Step Two: Remove the Covers (Trust Me)
Once the books come home, every dust jacket comes off.
This is where the magic happens. Without the covers, the books instantly feel quieter and more uniform. You’re left with soft neutrals, aged whites, muted tans, warm grays- all the tones that make a shelf feel timeless instead of busy.
Step Three: Sort by Color
Next, I stack the books into piles based on their color. This makes styling later so much easier.
By grouping similar tones together ahead of time, I can distribute color evenly across the shelves instead of accidentally ending up with one dark corner and one very pale corner. The shelves feel balanced without looking overly styled or “done.”
Step Four: Pages Out, Not Spines Out
This is the step that really gives the shelves their unique feel.
Instead of turning the spines outward, I place the books with the page side facing out. From there, I vary the arrangement:
- Some sections are fully upright, mixing heights together
- Some books lean casually at the end of a row
- Others are stacked horizontally so I can place a single object on top
The key is restraint. The books do the heavy lifting, and accessories are minimal- just enough to break things up.
The Final Result
By the time everything was styled, I had filled the shelves with around 200 books, sourced from four different thrift stores, for exponentially less than it would have cost to accessorize traditionally or invest in leather-bound sets.
The end result feels layered, warm, and complete- the kind of shelves that invite you to linger rather than scan.
If you’re craving a bookshelf that feels collected and timeless (without blowing your budget), this approach is one of my favorites. It’s slower, a little more hands-on, but incredibly rewarding- and the kind of detail that really transform a space.
