Displaying Books Cover-Side-Out

We’re total book junkies here at Apartment Therapy, but it often makes us sad to hide their beautiful covers deep in the shelf while their spines get all the glory.

Many serious book collectors — even cover aficionados — prefer it that way, for the safety of their books and to avoid clutter, but we found a few great examples of displays that put the covers front and center.

If you display your books cover-side-out we highly recommend that you keep them out of direct sunlight and avoid moisture at all costs. Dusting your books regularly will help stave off moisture and mildew and, of course, keep them looking their best.

(Images: 1: Fine Little Day; 2,5: Todd Selby; 3: Pottery Barn; 4: Sarah Rainwater)

Comments (8)

I worked in a bookstore for several years and really came to appreciate cover art like I never had before.

Now I organize my bookshelves so that I have a rotating display of "face outs" of my favorite covers, the way they do at bookstores. That way none of my books are left permanently out to light/dust, but I get to enjoy the pretty.

I have always wondered why so many books have such blah spines though. Almost like they're an afterthought.

Most books spend 99% of their lifespan spined out on a shelf --- if you were a publisher wouldn't you lavish awesome typeography, art, and layouts on the part of the book that is going to be seen the most?

posted by mlleErica on September 25th 2009 at 11:18am
view mlleErica's profile

good point about the spine, mlleErica.

Seeing the covers here makes me want to start a pretty book collection. :)

posted by MODERnestS on September 25th 2009 at 12:03pm
view MODERnestS's profile

The classic parenting book The Read Aloud Handbook makes a big point of showing book covers to children - even at home. It's much easier for them to choose a book when they aren't jammed tight on a shelf.

I purchased a long section of white plastic gutter to hang in the kids' rooms - so the books could sit face out. I haven't quite figure out how to hang it up yet... if anyone has a photo of this type of project, I'd love to see it.

posted by marykate11 on September 25th 2009 at 12:43pm
view marykate11's profile

Over on Ohdeedoh a while back they posted a simple DIY fabric sling to hold books cover out in a child's bedroom. I think it used a set of those double bar drapery supports, two dowels and your fav fabric. It looked really nice and user-friendly.

posted by EconGrrl on September 25th 2009 at 1:09pm
view EconGrrl's profile

I like to do this with books I really love or books of poetry people might want to pick up and browse.

posted by ChrisGal on September 25th 2009 at 2:31pm
view ChrisGal's profile

when we moved we made shelves for our cookbooks so they could be displayed out. We always forgot what we had and never used them before. Now we just glance at our wall and get inspired to cook fun things all the time!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/karandash/2678871851/in/set-72157606713424529/

posted by karandash on September 25th 2009 at 4:00pm
view karandash's profile

I do it!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/allabouteve/3823561769/in/set-72157621308968052/

posted by Eve in Hochelaga on September 26th 2009 at 4:37pm
view Eve in Hochelaga's profile

In the '40's and '50's books were often bound in buckram, which is a very pleasing, smooth material. Nicer than plain cloth. I wish publishers would go back to buckram.

posted by ebanfield on September 28th 2009 at 5:15pm
view ebanfield's profile