What the heck are books by the foot and why have I never heard of this concept before?

The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore by Evan Friss opened my eyes to the concept and fueled my deep dive on the subject. Here I’ll give you the highlights.

Curated bulk collections of books. Selections by theme or style, vintage or modern, height or color, the possibilities are myriad. Each books by the foot provider has different offerings, but the idea is to obtain books in quantity to fit a particular need.

“Prices range from $15–$40 per foot depending on condition, theme, and binding—higher for leather-bound or custom sets.”

According Friss, Nancy Bass of The Strand marketed books for decor purposes.

“‘Books-by-the-foot’ buyers specified the number of feet of shelf space, the subject matter, the binding type, and the color scheme.”

Buyers included some well known celebrities and film and TV productions. I checked it out and The Strand still sells books by the foot!

Clearly, the idea of buying books by the foot predates the internet, with some individuals and businesses using books for décor. The late 1990s saw the emergence of companies like Wonder Book that specifically leaned into this trend. The internet provided a platform for these companies to reach a wider audience and facilitate online sales of books by the foot.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the increased use of Zoom further propelled the popularity of “books by the foot,” as people sought to create visually appealing backgrounds for video calls.

Books by the foot are typically purchased by interior designers, set decorators, resellers, and commercial spaces looking for bulk book collections for decoration or as props. 

They are also frequently bought by DIYers and individual book lovers wanting to create themed libraries or display collections.

Charities and community spaces can also benefit from buying professionally curated book in bulk.

• Strand Books
• Wood Street Books By The Foot
• Juniper Custom Books By The Foot
• Booth & WIlliams Books By The Foot

Just because you see a bunch of books in the background of a Zoom call or in a video of a celeb’s house, doesn’t mean that they have read them. You know what they say about assumptions!

If you’ve ever wondered if the books in the background of movies or photos are real – they are! They could be purchased or rented for the purpose of creating the space where the images or videos are made.

Need to acquire a bunch of books all at once? This is an available option.

For those that are interested in purchasing matching (in many cases custom) sets of books for yourself or as a gift, this is an opportunity you don’t want to miss Best Selling Book Sets from Juniper Custom.

Trying to find your ultimate coffee table stack? 

Also, these books by the foot sellers are in a way “book rescues” taking in books that are no longer wanted or needed and finding them new homes. Learn more on Wonder Book. 

Are Books By The Foot A Solution for You?

Pros:

• Instant decor impact
• Customizable themes
• Eco-friendly (rescued books)

Cons:

• May not align with reading taste
• Can feel impersonal or staged
• Pricey if bought from premium sellers

For budget-conscious readers, you can create your own books by the foot collection. Visit local thrift stores, library sales, or estate sales to acquire plenty of books inexpensively.

To create a cohesive look, search for books with matching spine heights, cloth bindings, or color schemes that match your aesthetic.

Had you heard of books by the foot?
Have you or would you consider buying books in this way?
Let me know in the comments!

May your life be as full as your bookshelf and as long as your TBR list.

Happy Reading!