The way we decorate our home is often a broad reflection of our personality. But the devil is in the detail and what we put on our bookshelves - and how we store it - provides a far more intimate portrait of who we are.
Indeed the so-called ‘Shelfie’ – picture of bookshelves freighted with books, trinkets and personal belongings - is a particularly popular concept on social media.
It could also be why the so-called ‘bookshelf wealth’ trend has overtaken paint and wallpaper to emerge as the best way to decorate and personalise the home.
‘Our shelves are the fingerprints of our interiors, no two persons will be the same,’ says Martin Waller, founder of global design house Andrew Martin.
So what does your bookshelf say about you?
THE UNIVERSITY BOOKSHELF
Memories of student life may linger in the memory. But for some, vestiges of those bygone days endure on the bookshelf too. So what sort of person keeps frayed textbooks about theoretical physics or olde English poetry? According to Dr Sandi Mann, a senior psychology lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire, the very fact that we hang onto these books when they are literally past their sell by date says something about both our innate insecurity, flavoured with some pride and sense of self. This behaviour, she says, is not a sign of showing off, but reflects a personality who wants to maintain a link – a visible link – to their bygone achievements.
‘People with bookshelves filled with their old textbooks not only cling to the past but they want a reminder of what education has done for them, how they perhaps bettered themselves from it,’ she says. Maybe it’s a sense of insecurity - the need to remind yourself and others of what you have achieved or a fear that you might forget the knowledge you once had . ‘Or maybe you hope that one day you will need those books again – which means you are also ambitious and forward thinking. Yet these old text books also hold a sentimental attachment – a reminder of what you had to go through to get where you are. So on the one hand you cherish those memories and value knowledge and learning. But in the midst of that might be a mild hoarder too.’
THE ALPHABETICAL BOOKSHELF
Arranging books in alphabetical order is a time-consuming feat – although once achieved, it does make finding that book of Vietnamese recipes much easier. Dr Mann suggests this kind of shelf reflects a controlling personality and someone who needs control in their life. ‘Everything has to be in its set place. A person with a bookshelf like this needs to know where things are - whether it’s books or indeed all facets of their life . They want order.’ She added that this kind of person is detail-oriented since their bookshelf is a omage to meticulousness and thoroughness in other areas of their life too.
She adds: ‘It reflects a practically minded, logical and analytical person . You don’t leave anything to chance. You’re conservative and ordered. Yet that isn’t a weakness. There can strength in such efficiency.’
THE COLOUR CODED BOOKSHELF
This kind of person also likes to be in control but it’s flavoured with an aesthetic flair, says Dr Mann.
‘Is this person shallow? Not necessarily but the way things look may well be more important than content.’
Although it’s a systematic way to organise a bookshelf it may also play to a creative and flamboyant personality too. After all, organising bookshelves this way is increasingly popular on social media, with the likes of Instagram crammed with boldly coloured #shelfie shots. Of course, a great deal depends on your choice of palette. If you opt for rainbow colours then this may be reflective of a look-at-me, larger-than-life personality. Yet even the brightest colours give a sense of calm and control as it may well be easier to locate books this way. You are, suggests ,Dr Mann, an expressive personality, one who uses their personal space as a canvas to reflect their taste and personality yet with a sense of order.
THE MEMENTO BOOKSHELF
‘Whether it’s carefully selected artwork, trinkets from your travels or family photos, this kind of bookshelf goes to show just how important memories are to you. But it’s also about showcasing - quite literally - what’s really important in life,’ adds Dr Mann. ‘The fact your bookshelves aren’t just for books but for the things which reference your life experiences, nostalgia and memories reflects your warmth, and your ability to connect with other people.’
Books, after all, show off our knowledge, intellectual choices and range of interests. Yet the same book can appear on so many shelves. The photos, trinkets and mementos are about expressing the things you do in your life and the people you have done those things with.
‘You`re a person who wants to make the most out of life rather than show off your personal knowledge.’ says Dr Mann.
‘For them, experience in life is what matters.’
She adds that this shelf is also reflective of a warm personality since they surround themselves with immediate and obvious things which connect them with what is emotionally important in their lives. The book shelf is cosy and inviting – an open rather than a closed book, just like the personality who arranges their shelves this way.
BATTERED OLD BOOKS WHICH REALLY ARE ON THE SHELF
Not all shelves are home to books in pristine condition. For some, the contents of their bookshelves are crowded with titles which are more than a little weather-beaten. Whether it’s a dog-eared copy of Bridget Jones’ Diary or the tatty paperback with the torn spine which kept you engrossed on holiday. But hanging on to well-loved books is a sign of someone who cares about the details in life and is loyal to the things they love.
Knowledge is everything to this kind of person, says Dr Mann. ‘You’re not bothered what people think, You’re not trying to impress anyone. Knowledge and learning is what’s important to you and irrespective of how it appears to other people. There’s also a strong sense of nostalgia - maybe you find it hard to let go of things and may be resistant to change.’
‘People who display these sorts of books are usually charming and wear their heart on their sleeve,’ adds Shelley Cochrane, Accessories Buyer at Furniture Village. ‘Often, they’re showcasing books that have been passed down through generations or between friends so they have an emotional attachment to these objects. Their style is eclectic, and their home is full of colour and pattern. A book that has aged over time is full of character and charm, much like its owner.’
THE UNTIDY BOOKSHELF
Are you someone who couldn’t care less about positioning books in order of height? Perhaps you just stack them on top of each other to cram in as many as you can onto your bookshelf.
The key to this person’s personality is both obvious and more nuanced. On the one hand they are simply untidy. They don’t care about how things look or they simply don’t have the time to create a more pleasing outward appearance. But this slovenly approach to a bookshelf also offers insight into a more expressive personality
‘A packed bookshelf shows someone curious who loves to learn,’ adds clinical psychologist Dr Daniel Glazer. ‘This mixed collection implies wide interests and an eagerness to explore new things. These surroundings perhaps reflect their inner life as a perpetual student of the world.’ That said, a tendency to hold onto things may reflect a resistance to change or a desire for stability. Each book might represent a memory, experience, or period in your life that you value. And you want to hold onto that.
Dr Mann adds that you may be someone who is in a rush, competitive and focused on what needs to be done right now. ‘There’s no time to think about order - this person isn’t thinking about laying slower groundwork for the future’
NOTHING TO SEE HERE
Not everyone chooses to own or store masses of books. In some cases, shelves are home to just a few carefully chosen items. A mostly empty bookshelf with just a few carefully selected reads may demonstrate a minimalist way of life, explains clinical psychologist Dr Daniel Glazer. ‘It hints that the owner values quality over quantity and likes a clean, simple space focused on basics. This suggests someone who wants order and simplicity.’ You therefore might be the kind of person who values having fewer possessions and prioritises quality over quantity. This shows a pragmatic approach to ownership, keeping only what is currently needed or used. You might regularly declutter and avoid holding onto unnecessary items.