Pirate's Cove

How soon till the wackos start saying that having books is racist and/or classist?

How Bookshelf Wealth Became the Ultimate Status Symbol

This year, the ultimate status symbol isn’t having a Ferrari, or a Rolex, or even an expensive designer bag. According to TikTok, the ultimate flex is owning a great number of books and—this is critical—staging them well.

Since its inception in early 2024, the term ‘bookshelf wealth’ has racked up 1.9 million views on TikTok, inundating one’s social media algorithm with cozy rooms worthy of a Vanderbilt estate. Think sinkable armchairs, patterned wallpaper, sophisticated-looking decor objects, fine artwork, and, of course, many books.

Books have long been associated with intellect and prestige, but today, they are more than just literary treasures. The way they are arranged and showcased can speak volumes about the homeowner’s style. Whether you’re an avid reader or simply want to present an air of refinement, a well-styled bookshelf can serve as the focal point of a room, conveying a sense of affluence and cultural depth. Inherent in this look, we must add, one must actually like to read.

While the bookshelf wealth trend celebrates the culture and presence of books, there’s also a design element to it. It’s not about cramming your shelves full. Instead, the key lies in thoughtful curation, as well as consideration of the room’s overall aesthetic, from seating to textiles to interesting objects.

If you, too, have deliberately avoided the Kindle world and continue to treasure the physical beauty of books, own that in your personal space. Ahead, we’re sharing six utterly novel ways to achieve the bookshelf wealth look in your home.

You know most of these TikTok wackos aren’t actually reading them, for the most part. They’re just spending lots of money on books to look TikTok hip, that they’re special. I have 3 different book shelves, maybe a 100 books left, having given away quite a few to the library when I moved to the house from an apartment in 2009. And all the ones I left at the parents house. I also would get more from the library. Now I am mostly Kindle. I don’t have them on the shelves for status: I read them all. It’s comfy looking at them. It’s not about status. On the bright side, surveys show that young folks are actually reading more these days, so, I like that. I read about 75-90 a year.

Anyhow, if you visit the article you’ll truly get the idea that it’s all about the visuals for the TikTokers, for clout, not for saying “yup, I read them.”