20 Simple Ways To Blend Books Into Your Minimalist Decor (Without Clutter)

If you’re a book lover like me, you probably know the struggle: wanting a calm, clutter-free space, yet being surrounded by books that you just can’t part with. 

For years, I felt torn. I wanted minimalism – the clean lines, airy rooms, and peaceful energy – but my books felt like clutter against that vision.

Now, I know that I don’t have to hide or give up my books. I just needed to integrate them purposefully into my decor.

In this post, I’m sharing the different ways I blend my books into minimalist decor, along with the mistakes I’ve made and how you can do the right thing just as easily. 

1. Use Low, Hidden Storage for Overflow Books

At one point, I felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of books I owned. 

I didn’t want to part with them, but seeing them all at once in my space destroyed the calm, minimalist atmosphere I was working toward.

Now, I store many of my less aesthetic books in low-profile storage units – like under-bed bins, bench storage, or sleek closed cabinets. 

This method gives me the best of both worlds: my books are still accessible, but they’re no longer visually cluttering my space.

Here’s how I make it work:

1. Under-bed storage boxes hold books I rarely reach for (like reference books).

2. A wooden storage bench at the foot of my bed stores overflow fiction.

3. Closed cabinet shelves blend into the room while hiding books neatly inside.

The key is to treat hidden storage as part of your decor plan, not as an afterthought. 

I deliberately chose neutral, matching storage pieces so even hidden books contribute to the peaceful, cohesive look of my home.

What You’ll Need:

1. Low under-bed storage bins

2. Storage bench with hidden compartment

3. Closed cabinet shelves

4. Labels to easily track what’s stored where

2. Keep a Tiny Currently Reading Tray

I used to scatter my current reads across the house – bedside, coffee table, kitchen counter. 

After a while, even as a minimalist, I felt like books were overtaking my space again.

So, I created a tiny Currently Reading tray.

It’s a small wooden tray (mine is just 10 inches across) that lives on my coffee table or nightstand. 

In it, I allow myself to keep 2 to 3 books max, and it’s only what I’m currently reading. When a book finishes, it goes back to storage or onto my floating shelf.

I also keep a small candle or bookmark on the tray to personalize it. That way, it feels less like clutter and more like a thoughtful part of my decor.

What You’ll Need:

1. Small tray (wood, ceramic, or metal)

2. 2–3 current reads

3. You can also add a small candle or personal object

3. Create a Seasonal Book Display

This one started as an experiment but became a beloved routine in my home. 

Every season – spring, summer, autumn, winter – I curate a small, rotating seasonal display of books.

Here’s how I do it:

1. Choose 5 to 10 books that match the season in tone, cover color, or mood.

2. Place them together on a shelf, bench, or table as a temporary, themed display.

3. Add a seasonal decor piece (think dried flowers in autumn, seashells in summer, a pine-scented candle in winter) to tie everything together.

For example, in autumn, I display warm-toned books (browns, oranges) and cozy mysteries. In spring, I swap them for floral-covered romances or nature memoirs.

This rotating display lets me enjoy different books throughout the year while keeping the rest in storage. My space always feels fresh, yet peaceful.

What You’ll Need:

1. 5–10 seasonally themed books

2. A shelf or tabletop space

3. Seasonal accent item (e.g., dried flowers, candle, small vase)

4. Let a Single Large Book Anchor a Space

Sometimes, minimalism is about one bold, beautiful item instead of many small ones. 

I’ve started using a single oversized book as an anchor piece in certain rooms.

For example:

1. A large art book on my coffee table.

2. A photography book standing upright on a console.

3. A huge hardcover novel (think classics) styled solo on a floating shelf.

The key is choosing a book large enough to feel intentional, not accidental. 

I usually open the book to a particularly beautiful page and leave it open, so it feels like a dynamic, living piece of art.

This method works beautifully if you’re someone who struggles to let go of books but still craves minimalist design. 

I rotate the book every few months to keep things fresh.

And, I really love how calm and grounded this approach feels. Instead of letting books take over, I let one large, meaningful book quietly command attention.

What You’ll Need:

1. Oversized art book, photo book, or hardcover novel

2. Open display space (coffee table, console, shelf)

3. A stand to prop the book open

5. Use Book Bundles as Natural Bookends

At some point, I realized traditional bookends felt too bulky for my minimalist shelves. 

That’s when I started using small, natural book bundles as functional decor.

Here’s how I do it:

1. Select 3 to 5 slim books.

2. Tie them together with natural twine, soft leather cord, or linen ribbon.

3. Place these mini bundles at the end of a shelf to hold up looser books.

Not only do they serve as bookends, but they also look like little intentional decor accents. 

The texture of the twine or linen adds warmth and softness to the shelf, and I like how it breaks up the hard lines of books and furniture.

I make 2 or 3 of these bundles in each room. On one shelf, I’ve even stacked a bundle horizontally as a rustic accent.

The best part is that this method costs almost nothing but adds a handcrafted, personal touch. 

What You’ll Need:

1. 3–5 slim books per bundle

2. Natural twine, soft leather cord, or linen ribbon

3. A sprig of dried lavender or rosemary tucked into the knot

6. Style Books as Sculptural Decor Pieces

When I started treating my books as art, instead of stuffing them away, I started stacking small piles of books on tables and window sills. 

I paid attention to the colors of their spines and soon realised that neutral tones like soft browns, creams, greys, or blacks blend beautifully into minimalist spaces.

And, I even curated certain books specifically for how they looked (something I never imagined I’d care about).

Now, I usually create horizontal stacks of 3 to 5 books. I quickly learned that keeping stacks small prevented that cluttered feeling I was trying to avoid. 

To make the stacks feel like design elements, I top them with a simple object that is small and meaningful. 

My favorites are a smooth stone I picked up on a coastal trip, a white ceramic vase, or sometimes just a glass jar candle. Each one feels personal and quiet, adding to the calm aesthetic of the space.

I’ve placed these styled stacks in different areas: one on the coffee table, one beside my bed, and a small stack near the living room window. 

What You’ll Need:

1. 3 to 5 aesthetically pleasing books (neutral spines work best)

2. Small decorative object (like a candle, vase, stone)

3. Space on a table, bench, or windowsill

6. Turn Books Spine-In to Create Visual Calm

I hesitated before trying this one. But one day, standing in my living room, I realized the different colours on my shelves were so chaotic. My minimalist space didn’t stand a chance.

So, one day I decided I carefully turned the books around so their page edges faced outward. 

Of course, I didn’t do this everywhere. I applied it only in certain areas – like the built-in shelves in my living room where I display books more for aesthetics than daily reading. 

I still keep my bedroom bookshelf functional, with spines facing out, since I often pull those books to read.

From across the room, the shelf became more of a textural backdrop than a focal point, and I loved that it blended seamlessly into my minimalist palette.

8. Curate a Floating Spotlight Shelf

This tip changed everything for me. Instead of letting my books dominate entire walls, I decided to give them a place of honor – a single, floating shelf where a few special books could truly shine.

In my living room, I installed a simple white floating shelf on an otherwise empty wall. It’s where I showcase just 5 to 7 books at a time. 

When styling my shelf, I leave plenty of breathing room between the books. I used to think empty space was wasted space, but now I’ve learned that negative space is essential in minimalist design. It keeps the shelf looking clean and deliberate.

Next to the books, I usually place a single decor item – perhaps a small plant, a candle, or a framed photo. This softens the look and ties the shelf into the rest of the room without making it feel too heavy.

In my home office, I have another floating shelf where I display professional books and inspiring titles. And in my bedroom, my floating shelf there holds soft, cozy books for nights when I can’t sleep.

What You’ll Need:

1. One minimalist floating shelf (white, black, or light wood)

2. 5 to 7 curated books

3. Optional small accent decor piece

This is one of my favorite videos of all time and is, in fact, the one I watched when I was trying to build my floating bookshelf. 

9. Wrap Books in Monochrome Dust Jackets

Honestly, I love colorful books, but in a minimalist space, they felt overwhelming, so DIY monochrome dust jackets were a life saver. 

I use plain kraft paper or soft grey wrapping paper to create simple, neutral dust jackets. 

The process itself is therapeutic: measuring, cutting, folding, wrapping. I usually put on music and make it a slow, intentional task. And, I’ll absolutely make a post on the blog detailing the entire process soon. 

And, I should mention that I don’t wrap every single book. I usually wrap only the ones whose colors feel too loud for the space.

What You’ll Need:

1. Kraft paper, wrapping paper, or any soft neutral paper

2. Scissors

3. Clear tape or glue

4. Fine-tip pen (optional)

10. Create a Minimalist Reading Nook

This is my favorite way of all. 

After years of letting my books scatter across every surface, I realized I needed a designated, intentional space for both my books and my reading time.

So I created a Minimalist Book Nook.

I found a quiet corner near my bedroom window. There, I placed a neutral-colored armchair (mine is soft beige), a slim wooden side table, and a small reading lamp with a warm light bulb. Over the armchair, I draped a cozy throw blanket in muted tones.

Beside the chair, I keep a small, neat stack of books – usually no more than 10. These are my current reads; that is, the books I’m actively reaching for. 

Rather than letting books take over my home, I let them have a specific, purposeful home.

What You’ll Need:

1. Neutral armchair or large floor cushion

2. Small side table

3. Soft throw blanket

4. Warm-toned reading lamp

5. 5 to 10 curated books

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If you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember: start small. Choose one or two of these ideas that feel manageable and meaningful to you. 

Slowly, as you implement these, your space will start to shift not just visually, but emotionally, becoming calmer and more intentional.