Are your bookshelves really just wallpaper? Survey suggests many people only use books just to boost the look of a room

Last week she was mocked on social media when she was accused of organizing the books on her shelves by color.

But it seems Liz Truss is in good company, with a survey showing that many of us use books just to improve the look of a room.

Researchers found that almost one in ten use books as a form of decoration without actually reading them, while 9 percent choose covers because they complement the aesthetic of their home.

They found that 31 percent admit to making literary choices designed to convey their personality to visitors, while another 14 percent choose books to make them seem more intelligent or better read.

Last week, Ms Truss was criticized for posting a defense of her disastrous 2022 mini-budget online. But there were also comments from unexpected quarters.

Liz Truss was mocked on social media last week when she was accused of ordering the books on her shelves by color

In the video, she is seen sitting in front of a color-coded bookcase – which was immediately derided as ‘boring’ by book lovers.

The research also found that men are more likely to furnish their homes with unread books: 11 percent have their own book, compared to 8 percent of women.

Young people are more likely to view books as mere decoration, with 14 percent of Generation Z – the 16 to 26 age group – admitting they have stocked their shelves to create an image or a decorative look.

This compared to 16 percent of millennials (ages 27 to 42), 6 percent of Generation X (ages 43 to 58) and just 5 percent of baby boomers (ages 59 and older).

Steve Payne of bedroom furniture specialist Feather & Black, who carried out the survey of 2,000 adults, said: ‘There is something timeless and sophisticated about being surrounded by books and our research shows that younger people in particular benefit from that idea.’