Bookends serve the dual purpose of holding books and adding a quirky touch to the decor.
There are bibliophiles and then there are those who like to show the world that they are. Whichever category you fall in, bookends should find a place in your home.
Bookends work as a support to stack your books conveniently so as to stop them from falling off and they also serve as a great decorative piece.
Ashok Panwalkar, creative director of city-based 3F Design store, says, ‘’There is an overall decline in the reading habit of the younger generation. Bookshelves have become a part of the décor now. Though traditional bookshelves are available, people are always looking for something that will stand out. The trend of bookends started with the need to support books as well as add a touch of décor.’’
Ritika Narang Tickoo, co-founder of Either Or store in Pune, says, ‘’With the advent of technologies like computers, iPads, kindle and smart phones, there has been a change in people’s reading habits. Now, instead of making space for a large amount of bookshelves as in the past, people are investing in fewer books which are close to their heart or more coffee-table varieties. Hence bookends which allow books to be stacked conveniently, have become popular and one does not need a shelf to contain them either; they can be placed on tables, on the floor, or even on window sills. Also from an aesthetic point of view, they add an element of design.’’
Medini Damle, an interior decorator, uses bookends as a piece of art. ‘’Some of them are just so beautiful. Depending on the design language of the house, I suggest my client to use bookends. I have used traditional ones in the living room and fun ones in the children’s bedroom in the same house. They are never out of place and add a personal touch to the entire décor,’’ she explains.
Varieties
Bookends come in various designs and materials. Depending on the design, they can be made in stone, wood, ceramic, glass, marble or sheet metal. As these materials are inherently heavy, they can be used for anywhere between 5-15 years, depending on your usage.
One can go for the available designs or customise the same. Most bookshops sell plain plastic ones in different colours. In art shops, one can find designs like globes, animals, Disney cartoons, people, nature, cars, a lady with folded hands, bow and arrow, etc. The world of Harry Potter, Batman, Game of Thrones, Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings and various other action figures too inspire some designs. A few offbeat and peculiar designs include zombies, fish bowl, mermaids, unicorns or custom-made letterings.
Literary aficionado Priya Chaphekar recalls how she flipped for a bookend. ‘’I have a thing for written word. For my bookshelf, I was looking for something that will go with my huge poetry collection. While browsing through a book store, I chanced upon a bookend that read Words-Worth. It was just perfect. Not only my problem of falling books has been sorted but the bookend goes very well with the theme too,’’ she says.
Often bookends reflect the personality of the book owner. Though they can be custom made, a single piece can cost a fortune. “There are many varieties available, so mostly people don’t get them customised. It’s not a product people really come looking for in customisation. Also, it would be more expensive to do so, ‘’ says Ritika.
Check out
There are a number of websites that sell bookends online in distinctive designs that suit your individuality. Visit pepperfry.co.in, shopclues.in, amazon.in and so on.
