Books as Decor: India's Rising Trend of Aesthetic Bookshelves
In India, books are increasingly serving as decorative elements rather than solely vessels for reading, driven by social media influences like Pinterest and Instagram. Interior designers report that clients now prioritize the visual appeal of bookshelves, seeking specific color palettes and aesthetic vibes for their homes and cafes. Divya Kothari, a Mumbai-based interior designer, notes that books have become integral to decor conversations, with customers often requesting replicas of stylish shelves seen online. This trend has created a new market segment where hardcover and leather-bound volumes are prized for their durability and visual weight. Sikendar Kumar Rai, owner of Bahrisons Booksellers in Delhi, observes that many customers arrive with mood boards and precise dimensions, selecting books primarily for display purposes. While some buyers still value the content, the primary motivation for many is to signal taste and personality through interior design. The phenomenon highlights a tension between books as objects of knowledge and objects of beauty, with the latter gaining prominence in contemporary Indian urban living spaces.
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Books as Decor: India's Rising Trend of Aesthetic Bookshelves
In India, books are increasingly serving as decorative elements rather than solely vessels for reading, driven by social media influences like Pinterest and Instagram. Interior designers report that clients now prioritize the visual appeal of bookshelves, seeking specific color palettes and aesthetic vibes for their homes and cafes. Divya Kothari, a Mumbai-based interior designer, notes that books have become integral to decor conversations, with customers often requesting replicas of stylish shelves seen online. This trend has created a new market segment where hardcover and leather-bound volumes are prized for their durability and visual weight. Sikendar Kumar Rai, owner of Bahrisons Booksellers in Delhi, observes that many customers arrive with mood boards and precise dimensions, selecting books primarily for display purposes. While some buyers still value the content, the primary motivation for many is to signal taste and personality through interior design. The phenomenon highlights a tension between books as objects of knowledge and objects of beauty, with the latter gaining prominence in contemporary Indian urban living spaces.
The Indian Express