Our 2 Solutions to Protect Your Books and Decorate Your Bookshelf

Solution 1: Protective films for your books

The first of the book protection ideas involves using transparent adhesive film, book jackets, or UV-protection film. The main purpose here is to prevent wear and tear, and shield against sunlight, dust, and handling (especially from people who treat books like they’re a newspaper).

If you do it right, you will:

• Keep covers clean and intact.

• Prevent fading from UV exposure.

• Add longevity to rare or valuable editions.

Additionally, a bookshelf decoration with adhesive film is generally reversible and non-destructive, so it’s a great choice if you use books on an everyday basis.

What’s more, it's really simple to apply. All you need to do is:

• Clean book covers gently before applying film.

• Cut film slightly larger than book size.

• Apply smoothly to avoid bubbles or wrinkles.

Picking the protective film might be a harder task, though, simply because you have so many options. As such, your choice will depend on your needs. For instance, if you’re a collector who wants to preserve vintage paperbacks, you could choose a clear, matte-finish film that maintains the original look while adding protection. Plus, it just looks nice and will freshen up your bookshelf.

Solution 2: Decorative films for your bookshelf

The second alternative for your books and bookshelf is to use decorative adhesive film to style shelves or perhaps book covers. This will not only add a sense of personality and style to the bookshelf, but it will also provide surface protection.

Some of the advantages of bookshelf decoration with adhesive film are:

• Wide variety of colors and textures like wood grain, marble, and metallics.

• Easy to apply, peel, and replace.

• Protects shelves from scratches and moisture.

• Can be used as a creative way to unify mismatched books.

The actual choice and design will depend on your preferences and the room where the bookshelf is located. Still, we can give some decorative bookshelf tips based on our preference:

• Wood-effect film for rustic or Scandinavian interiors.

• Marble finish for modern or minimalist shelves.

• Bold colors or patterns for kids’ rooms or eclectic styles.

Let’s say you have a decent collection of books in a small office. You might pick a matte black film on shelves to get a sleek, professional vibe, which would also help hide wear and tear. On the other hand, back at home, if you have books for children, you may choose a film that’s more colorful and cheerful.

Combining the two for maximum effect

When it comes to solutions to protect your books and decorate your bookshelf, nobody said you had to pick only one, so why use both?

For example, you can apply transparent protective film to the books themselves and use decorative adhesive film on shelves for added durability and style. This way, you will make your bookshelf neat and organized while also protecting valuable publications and elevating the room’s design.

Just imagine a home library where classic leather-bound volumes are protected with clear film, and the shelves feature a walnut wood-effect film for warmth. Sounds pretty nice, doesn’t it?

Don’t forget maintenance

Fortunately, after the job is done, you won’t need to do too much to keep everything in tip-top shape. A simple maintenance is all that is required to keep your books protected and your bookshelf looking lively.

Here’s how to protect books from damage with some maintenance:

• Dust shelves and books regularly with a soft, dry cloth.

• Avoid direct sunlight to minimize fading.

• Wipe films with a damp cloth, but don’t use harsh chemicals.

• Replace decorative films if they show signs of peeling or damage.

• Store heavy books evenly to avoid warping shelves.

The above tips won’t take much time, if at all, and if you keep a regular schedule of practicing them, your books will thank you.

Preserve and personalize your books and bookshelf

The best thing about these book protection ideas is that they are simple, wallet-friendly, and rather effective, including for decorating your bookshelf.

Thanks to a little investment and effort on your part, your books can last longer and keep a fresh appearance for an extended period of time, in addition to giving both your bookshelf and room a cool new look.

Don’t be afraid to experiment at home and try some of the films, especially since it’s easy to reverse the choice if you end up not liking it. As always, you can take a look at our large collection of decorative adhesives - from wood to colors, there’s bound to be something that catches your eye.