For those of us who love books and music (and quite frankly, who doesn’t?) it’s always a good idea to be surrounded by them. It will make us want to read more, discover new artists and music, and thus live an inspired life. In most homes, despite housing voracious readers and music aficionados, books and music take up good space but aren’t really a part of the decor. They are there as essentials. But these elements can be incorporated in different parts of your house to make your home feel lived in, cozy, and like an extension of your personality. Here’s a quick guide on how you can use books and music seamlessly around the house.

Books make great coffee table decor

Coffee table books make an artistic statement. Choose one (or a few) you like and make sure it has a striking cover and place it on your center table as a focal point. You can choose to use multiple books and create a little stack with a decor item or a wooden box on top to hide your remotes and controllers.

Display your cookbooks

Every house, where books are loved, is sure to have a few cookbooks. Dedicating a corner of the spice rack to these treasure troves of recipes or even just putting them near the chopping board on the counter works as a stunning and functional decor idea. They will look nice and you will be inspired to whip up delicious meals.

Get a simple sound system

There’s nothing better than having soothing music playing in the background as you work or when you have guests over. These days, thanks to smartphones, we rely on our phones and tablets to listen to music. While there is nothing wrong with that, a good sound system however, with speakers in multiple rooms, can change the vibe of your space.

A wall of vinyls or covers

These work well with book covers too but a wall especially dedicated to old records or their covers adds a lot of intrigue to a space. Create a gallery with your favorite records or if you are still playing them, use a single shelf to display the cover of the record you are currently listening to.

Use books as stands and risers

Under a vase or a favorite decor item or as something to elevate a photo frame, books as stands can be a great way to store books as well as create a stunning display. You can stack books on your nightstand, shelves, and countertops to prop up other things like lamps, candle stands, or even plants. It adds an interesting dimension to the display.

Leave a book open

A super easy way to decorate with books is to leave one open. Whether it be in the bedroom or the kitchen, leave a book open to your favorite page. It could be a photo book or a page with something that resonates with you. You can also use a bookstand in the kitchen to keep a cookbook open on your favorite recipe or the one you are thinking of replicating.

Musical instruments as functional pieces

If you have a drum set or a tabla lying around or if you know someone who does and who is ready to part with it (or you can even check out online second hand deals), then you can repurpose these into coffee or side tables. You could also display vintage musical instruments as decorative items. These days you can also make musical instruments inspired furniture items like dining tables or consoles.

Add a pop of color with books

Books can be used to add a pop of color to a monochrome setting. If your living room has a neutral tone like white, beige, or brown, choose to create a pile of books in a particular color like royal blue or orange to add a pop of color to it. Choose books where the colors of the spines match but ensure they are of different sizes.

Flutes make a playful display

You can get these for cheap anywhere in town and they make for a great table arrangement. They are usually not that large so they can fit anywhere without getting in the way. They are also symbolic as they are tied to spirituality and transformation in many cultures. In Hinduism, we associate it with Lord Krishna. Consider displaying it with some peacock feathers to give a nod to your heritage.

Frame your favorite poster or lyrics of a song

This is perhaps the most underrated but impactful way to incorporate your favorite music and pay homage to your favorite artist. Simply get a poster of a band or an artist you like and frame it to hang somewhere in the house. The larger the poster, the better. You can also print the lyrics of your favorite song and get that framed.