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Undercover Accessorizing for Home Staging

They used to be $1.00 a piece - now they're about $2.50, but still a great deal! Hardcover books from Goodwill are an inexpensive way to meaningfully accessorize a bookshelf.

I usually look for classics or popular novels that don't have words like "Angel" or "Devil" in the title. Remove the covers - be sure the bindings are neutral or useful colors such as black, tan, even red.

It's good if they're the same height. However, big picture or coffee table books can add some drama.

If you can't find the "right" books, just buy what they have - and cover them! Subtle gift wrap, brown kraft paper, even fabric will work as bookcovers. In these examples, I covered the books with newspaper - the black on white fine type and columns of numbers provide some visual interest without making you want to pick up the book and actually read it - that would be distracting - and this is Staging, after all!

Some of these books are novels, others are cookbooks and children's books - they come in all sizes, so don't overlook them.

Happy Staging - Julie

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Posted by Julia Maher, Home Stager: Staging Fairfield County Connecticut CT on 07/23/2008 09:51 AM

Comments (29)

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29 Comments on Undercover Accessorizing for Home Staging

JUL

2008

Hmmm, an interesting thought. I like it as long as the books don't all look alike. Leather covers are nicest, in my opinion.

Good idea- you can also pick up books at garage sales for even less than that if you happen to catch some in your area- We can usually get them for 50 cents or less.

I like the idea of jacketless books - I don't like the newspaper though. That IS distracting to me. But hey...

Hey. guess what? I see you in the globe. :)

This is an interesting idea and I'll consider it next time i see an empty bookshelf. Thanks!

Goodwill is a great resource, and the money goes to a good cause! I buy books, candles and candlesticks, dishes and wine glasses there. They have great cookbooks, and occasionally I score a good coffee table book! Books can be had at our Goodwill for 50 cents, if you go on the right day.

Excellent idea with the newspaper! The black, white, and silver combination is very sheek! Thank you for sharing this great idea that anyone can do!

Julia, book jackets are a pet peeve of mine. I always remove them...I prefer my books naked! I think the newspaper looks great and would consider it if I didn't like the colors of the books available to me.

Great idea, our Goodwill Select, whatever that means prices are ridiculous, you can get new items for just a little bit more.

JUL

2008

Julia I haven't been to goodwill in years! It's on my list now thanks so much for sharing. Sometimes we forget the things that are right in front of eyes. Kym

Goodwill depending on the area of the country can be too expensive. I have bought -Books by the Yard at the 1/2 price Book Store. (last time I paid $15 for a yard of fiction, which came to about 35 cents a book.) I like to cover with Wall Paper. Glue is there already usually, I can get a leather look and colors needed. I always check the wallpaper sale racks, and if you are lucky to have a damaged freight place in your town, they usually have wall paper for 2.00 a roll. I use to cover hat boxes, shoe boxes, even special gift wrap or lined a bird cage for color...you name it!

Love the idea of Goodwill or any resale store. There's one fairly near to me, haven't been in it for many years.

Joyce

Thanks, All! I was surprised by the price increase at Goodwill. I will make a point to check out some yard sales this summer. It's good to cover the books because, as a Stager, I don't want buyers distracted by their favorite author or a provocative title. Julie

Our town has a Salvation Army thrift store where the prices are much better than Goodwill, so it does pay to shop around at different thrift stores. I do love the newspaper and wallpaper ideas about covering books -- I'm sure we all could come up with some wonderful looks! Thanks for sharing!

I use a lot of books in staging and even have done a blog on this, although I haven't had time to post. Will hold off for a bit now -good show, girl. I am commenting on this from a libray in the town I am visiting, so am surrounded by books and ideas.

I always mean to go into Goodwill but forget. The last time I went in there, all I found was a bunch of crap. Everyone always seems to get cool things and then turns around to sell them for a profit.

AUG

2008

I use them all the time but would not have thought to wrap them in newspaper. My favorite way of using them is simply with the jackets off - the more worn the better....

Julia ~ Books are one of my favorite accessories. I love it when a homeowner has nice looking hard covers. They are great to add to an end table or can be used to add height to something like a lamp or a clock. You are right some of them can add just the right color ro a room.

I am like Melissa-I always remove the covers on the books and use hardbacks. I buy them at thrift stores and find great treasures. Great post Julia!

p.s. love your initials on the stack of books-you are very clever aside from very talented!!!

AUG

2008

Cathy Lee wins the prize - if I only had something to give! Yes, I did put my initials in on purpose! Thaks all for your kind comments. Julie

Julia, you posted this a week to late for me. Darn it anyway. The last estate sale I had I had tons of good books that didn't sell. I gave them away to charity instead of holding onto them for staging the house. My brain went on overload with all the stuff that was there. I'll remember this post for next time :-)

Great photos and post. I love staging with hardcover books and use them a lot, on shelves, on coffee tables, bedside tables, etc. My "signature" item in vacant homes is a small Irish book which I've found always brings good luck to the sale!

My friend picked up a fantastic lamp at the goodwill, 5 big silver balls as the base. $5.00 plus a new shade. It is an amazing lamp, it's in her bedroom, not for my accessory stock though :-( Got to remember to look there for some good finds, if I have the time...............

H Julia, Thank you for your post. I have been big "Budget Thrift Store Buyer" for years. I go there first before the discount stores. The newspaper wrap is a great idea. I think this also lends itself to simplifying the books that do not match. I have also sprayed the covers with either Leather spray from the craft store or Cherry Wood that also helps to hids some bad covers. Reader's Digest are the very best, I think Thanks for also sharing your photos. Great job! Have a Colorful Day!

AUG

2008

Hi Julia! I thought we knew most of the stagers in our area. We'd love to get to know you too! We're based in Larchmont NY but do a good amount of work in lower Fairfield County.

Libraries are a good source of used books too.

Deborah Novick Showcase Your Space

NOV

2008

I work for a book publisher who has 10,000 + hard cover books for sale. Unlike other publishers, they are various titles, not a repeat of the same one. We usually sell the books from $1-$3 a piece but in bulk, less so if anyone is interested, definitely contact me. I'm in the tri-state area ryejaz@aol.com juliann

DEC

2008

Check your local Habitat Restore, all money benefits Habit for Humanity. My local store has a huge book section. You will also probably find some other treasues too!

Spray paint them! We love defunct sets of encyclopedias, any size. Talk about a cheap way to repeat color in a room...three cans of dollar store spray paint goes a LONG way. Even the rattiest books respond well. Get really fancy and spray the ends of the pages gold or silver for more zing. ~Michelle

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