Classic Childrens Book Quotes Title

 

 

 

How To Use Book Quotes To Decorate Your Home

Quotes from our favourite books inspire us to feel more: they can make us smile, they can make us cry, and they can give us reassurance in the most difficult of times. Home is where the heart is, and it's for this reason that we think that decorating with book quotes is the perfect way to commemorate life's ups and downs in a fun, quirky, personal and particualrly on-trend kind of way. In this blog we have compiled three lists: the Top 10 Quotes from Classic Children's Books, the Top 10 Quotes About Love, and the Top 10 Quotes About Life to give you some literary inspiration. We also discuss the best ways to decorate the different spaces and accessories in and around your home and take a trip down memory lane with a timeline of our all-time favourite children's books. 

 

 

John Green Quote Infographic

 

 

 

Cicero firmly believed that ‘a room without books is like a body without a soul’. Ever since literature was first available to the public in the 15th Century, it seems that a house does not quite seem a home unless it has some sort of library. But what about the design of a home?

 

Let’s be honest: most of us love a good quote. With apps like Pinterest and Instagram now at our fingertips, we have not only been given instant access to the ‘best bits’ of modern and classical literature, but we are also encouraged to share the beauty and wisdom of the world’s most famous authors as we apply their words to our own, everyday lives.

 

According to Elle Décor, inspirational phrases were set to become a thing of the past for interior design in 2015, and this may be so. But books are timeless, and as far as celebrated works of literature are concerned, famous quotes have never been more popular. They continue to dominate the landscape of cultural self-expression across a wide range of mediums.


Technology has done more than to simply reunite modern readers with the writers of the past. It has also provided a new platform for emerging authors to get their voices heard. Erin Hanson, a twenty-year-old poet from Australia, for example, first found fame through Instagram when celebrities began to repost her work. Now her words reach beyond her 13,800 followers to extend to users on Pinterest, Etsy, and visitors to her online blog – The Poetic Underground – and are among the most recognisable quotes currently trending on social media. One of the most famous excerpt from her poetry is the following: ‘What if I fall?’ ‘Oh but my darling, what if you fly?

 

 

Perhaps it is the honest vulnerability of this life quote that speaks to so many of its readers. The genuine fear of taking chances, while at the same time being reminded of the unlimited potential that you possess within yourself if you do. It embodies both the weakness and the strength that lies within all of our lives, and successfully captures the beauty of the everyday human experience in just two sentences. This is the magic of literature: its ability to verbalise a complexity of feelings using the simplest of words. And in an increasingly fast-paced society, short quotes are giving us access to this magic without compromising our busy schedules.

 

 

That is not to disregard books completely. Reading is still one of the nation’s favourite pastimes: something that is perhaps ironically epitomised by the surging popularity of film adaptations such as The Hunger Games, Divergent, The Fault In Our Stars, etc.


Undoubtedly one of the most famous book releases of the year has had to be Harper Lee’s much-anticipated second novel Go Set A Watchman, which has dominated the bestsellers list since its release two months ago. Hand-in-hand with this, of course, has been a resurgence of interest into the novel’s prequel: the iconic To Kill A Mockingbird.


There is, arguably, no other book better at capturing the essential beauty of the everyday than Lee’s Mockingbird; the novel is filled with life’s simple lessons, and repeatedly stresses the importance of staying true to yourself through the character of Atticus Finch. If you want to stamp your own brand of individualism onto your home and you’re a fan of the book – or, perhaps, even if you aren’t – To Kill A Mockingbird is sure to have the right quote for you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To Kill A Mockingbird Quotes Infographic

 

 

Where is the best place to put quotes around the house?


Quotations are becoming a popular trend in most design circles, so in terms of how you want to use your favourite literary passage in your home...well, it’s completely up to you. From wall art to jewellery, coffee mugs to tattoos, quotations are a real ‘statement piece’ and should reflect something about your personality as to how and where you use them. Literary Emporium has a really cool selection of smaller gift ideas for all the book lovers in your life, but when it comes to interior design here's something to give you a little inspiration...

 

 

Wall Stickers Wall Quotes For Around The Home

 

Wall stickers create a real statement within any room and are very often the first thing that draws a visitors’ eye when they walk in. Any wall in your home is the perfect canvas for you to say exactly what you want to. But a word of advice? Don’t make the quotations you use too long. You want the text to be big enough so that you can read the quote easily from some distance away; you don’t want it to look too cramped as though you’re trying to squeeze too many words into too little of a space. If you struggle getting out of bed in the morning, a sleep-related quote like this one is perfect for the bedroom wall:

 

  

First in a Dream Wall Sticker

 

  

Cushion Covers With Children's Book Quotes

 

This is the perfect space for those slightly longer quotes that you may have in mind, as your visitors are more likely to see these up close. Of course, there is less room to work with here than on the walls so you may want to make certain words stand out with regards to your design. For some great examples featuring Alice In Wonderland and Peter Pan amongst others, visit Etsy

 

 

Canvas Prints Of Famous Quotes

 

JRR Tolkien Quote Infographic

 




These are a good alternative to wall art if you don’t want to commit to having your chosen quote in one space for any great length of time. Of course, the down-side of this is that canvas prints are not as much of a statement piece as wall stickers and do not draw the eye as easily. However, if you do want to make more of a statement with canvas prints, there is the option to let your design cover a number of separate canvases spaced strategically together across the wall.



 



Lamp Shades With Unqiue Quotes

 

 

This is more of a quirky option, but is perfect if your chosen quote is in any way light-related. When you personalise a piece of furniture with a quotation it always becomes a cool talking point.

 

Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, when one only remembers to turn on the light.’ – J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

 

If you're into your arts and crafts, why not get some inspiration from The Mason Jar Crafts blog and create your own personalised lamp shade? I've recently tried something similar with a Sharpie Art Gift Mug. It was so much fun to customise my own mug and get really creative with the designs, there was virtually no mess and no preparation time required, and the finished product actually looked a lot more professional then I had originally expected! It almost had a store-bought look about it - except for the fact that it was so uniquely mine. I loved it and I'm eager to apply the same principle to other areas of my home décor. 

 

 

 

Coffee Mugs With Your Favourite Quotes On

 

A good conversation-starter when you’re having friends over, or a perfect way to start your day off with a smile by reading a quote from your favourite book with your morning coffee. You could even customise these yourself with a good Sharpie Art Gift Mug set, as I have just discussed above. Also check out Pinterest, as there are loads of really cool ideas to get your creative juices flowing as to how best incorporate your favourite book quote onto a coffee cup design. VistaPrint is a particularly good site to customise your own coffee mug and put your own stamp on your cuppa!

  

 

TS Eliot Quote Infographic

 

 

 

DIY Book Cases For Unique Style

  


Cassandra Clarke Quote Infographic


What better way to add style to your bookcase then with a transfer of your favourite quote? With this you really have complete freedom: you can make it as long or as short as you want, and can choose any quote that particularly speaks to you. To make it extra quirky, choose a quote about books, like the one above. 

 

Clocks With TheBest Time Quotes

 

If you're anything like me, it doesn't matter how much time you give yourself to get ready: you still always manage to find a way to be late. I've tried setting my clock to running ten minutes fast, I've tried making lists of what I need to do...however I try and get organised, time just keeps sneaking up on me. If you’re always struggling to beat the buzzer as well, why not personalise your clock to inspire yourself to be on time?!

  

 

William Shakespeare Quote Infographic

 

 

Customised designs don't have to be too gaudy or ecclectic, either. Remember - you're still in control of the style of your home, and if you are thinking about using book quotes to decorate then these should be used to complement you're own personality and style. If you're looking for something a little more subtle with a real up-market feel to it, why not check out The Clock Factory

 

 

What Are The Best Quotes To Display Around Your Home?


Each of us are in the middle of writing our own story. But the best thing about literature is that, somewhere, there is a quote which any of us can relate to at any given point in our lives. However, with that being said, in terms of interior design I think there’s a few collective experiences that many of us share. To honour this, I’ve compiled a list of ten favourite quotations which I think could apply to each of the following decorating opportunities.

 

Quotes About Life


Perfect for moving into your first home, a new home, or if you fancy redecorating your old home. These quotations combine the marvellous with the mundane; some celebrate the ordinary, some inspire us to the extraordinary, and others simply laugh at life’s little quirks. What they all have in common is that they all promote a healthy and light-hearted appreciation for life and wellbeing.

 

 

Top 10 Life Quotes Infographic

 

 

1. ‘I would always rather be happy than dignified.’ – Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre.

 

2. ‘Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.’ – J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring.

 

3. ‘The greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.’ – Roald Dahl, The Minpins.

 

4. ‘Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it yet.’ – L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables.

 

5. ‘Beauty is truth, truth beauty.’ - John Keats, Ode On A Grecian Urn.

 

6. ‘It is our choices, Harry, that show us who we truly are, far more than our abilities.’ – J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

 

7. ‘It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn’t use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like, “What about lunch?”’ – A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh.

 

8. ‘Poets are always taking the weather so personally.’ – J.D. Salinger, Nine Stories.

 

9. ‘You don’t have to live forever, you just have to live.’ – Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting.

 

10. ‘Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved.’ – A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh.

 

  

Home Real Comfort Jane Austen Quote Wall Sticker

 

 

Quotes About Love


It’s all around. It’s all you need. It lifts us up where we belong. Let’s face it, everyone loves quotes about love. And whether you’re a couple that has just moved into a new house together, or you’re about to celebrate a wedding; whether it’s coming up to an anniversary, or you’re just a couple that wants to celebrate each other for no reason at all: these are some of the most poignant literary love quotes of all time.

 

 

Top 10 Love Quotes Infographic

 

  

1. ‘There are darknesses in life and there are lights, and you are one of the lights, the light of all lights.’ – Bram Stoker, Dracula.

 

2. ‘Journeys end in lovers meeting.’ – William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night.

 

3. ‘Just always be waiting for me.’ – J.M Barrie, Peter Pan.

 

4. ‘I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.’ – John Green, The Fault in our Stars.

 

5. ‘Love is the strongest thing in the world, you know. Nothing can touch it. Nothing comes close. If we love each other we’re safe from it all. Love is the biggest thing there is.’ – David Guterson, Snow Falling on Cedars.

 

6. ‘Grow old along with me. The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made.’ – Robert Browning, Rabbi Ben Ezra.

 

7. ‘If I were to live a thousand years, I would belong to you for all of them. If we were to live a thousand lives, I would want to make you mine in each one.’ – Michelle Hodkin, The Evolution of Mara Dyer.

 

8. ‘And when one of them meets with his other half, the actual half of himself, whether he be a lover of youth or a lover of another sort, the pair are lost in an amazement of love and friendship and intimacy.’ – Plato, The Symposium.

 

9. ‘I know by experience that the poets are right: love is eternal.’ – E.M. Forster, A Room With A View.

 

10. ‘We were together. I forget the rest.’ – Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass.

 

 

Grow Old Along With Me Robert Browning Wall Sticker

 

 

 

Quotes About Family


If you’re thinking about decorating your first nursery or if it’s time to redecorate the little one’s bedroom, then here are ten positive quotes from children’s books that will fill your baby with smiles. We've recently decorated our youngest's bedoom with a 'Neverland' theme in mind (think Pirate Ships, Indian Braves and Mermaid Lagoons) and have used a wall sticker of one of the quotes from 'Peter Pan' in the list below. The words work really well with the overal décor, especially for a child's room, I think. Our guests always comment on how original the use of a quote is as decoration and my little boy's friends always love to take turns being Peter Pan and reading from the wall when they come round to play. 

 

 

Top 10 Children's Quotes Infographic

 

 

1. ‘If you have good thoughts, they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.’ – Roald Dahl, The Twits.

 

2. ‘No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.’ Aesop, The Lion and the Mouse.

 

3. ‘Where you tend a rose, my lad, a thistle cannot grow.’ – Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden.

 

4. ‘I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, as long as I’m living my baby you’ll be.’ – Robert Munsch, Love You Forever.

 

5. ‘Dreams do come true, if only we wish hard enough. You can have anything in life if you will sacrifice everything else for it.’ – J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan.

 

6. ‘We all can dance when we find music that we love.’ – Giles Andreae, Giraffes Can’t Dance.

 

7. ‘Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.’ – Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat.

 

8. ‘To live will be an awfully big adventure.’ – J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan.

 

9. ‘As soon as I saw you, I knew an adventure was going to happen.’ – A.A. Milne, Winnie The Pooh.

 

10. ‘There’s no place like home.’ – L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz.

 

 

Sometimes the Smallest Things Wall Sticker

 

  

The beauty with books is - they never go out of style. Bringing literature into your interior design is a great way to keep the past in contact with the present: pass on the memories that you cherished from your own favourite stories to your children and keep the magic of storytelling alive in your home.

 

 

 

How Old Is Your Favourite Children's Book?

 

Check out this timeline below to chart the evolution of the Children's Story and see where your favourite book sits in time. I couldn't believe that some of the stories that are still so popular today are actually so old! (Not looking at you, 'Wizard Of Oz'). You might be surprised to see where a lot of famous stories originated from...

 

 

 

Evolution Of Children's Story Infographic

 

 

 

Thanks for reading! We hope this blog has encouraged you to take a leaf out of our book and bring the magic of literature into the design of your home. After all, what better way is there to tell your own story then through the very style of your home? Wall stickers, canvas prints, cushion covers, lamp shades, customised clocks and coffee mugs (along with a whole range of other decorations around the house) provide the perfect opportunity to remind yourself of who you are and what inspires you every day. Quotes can lift us up and give us hope; they can remind us of happier times to get us through the difficult ones, and can celebrate with us the joys of the everyday. Our favourite quotes - as John Green has so famously said in the featured quote at the top of this blog - say more about us then the stories and people we are quoting: let your house say something about you. 

 

If it this blog post has left you feeling inspired (and we really hope it has!), please feel free to check out our selection of wall quotes stickers available via the Icon Wall Stickers home page. Have we not mentioned a quote from your all-time favourite book? Do you have any other cool ideas as to where we can use book quotes in and around the home? Let us know in the comments below!