Bookstagram has only grown in popularity over the years. It’s been an amazing hobby for me. I get to talk books with people who love books as much as I do! It can be really easy to spend a lot of money if you love books as much as I do. Bookstagram is full of bookish candles, flowers, crowns, bookish merch, and of course BOOKS. I’m sure some people have stayed away from making a bookstagram account because they don’t have the money to spend to make their account look they way they want.

I’m here to show you some ideas you can use to get yourself an awesome bookstagram account without breaking the bank.

Here’s how to rock #bookstagram without breaking the bank. https://wp.me/pazzY7-bP
Tweet

Use Your Phone

You likely have smart phone with a camera. Technology today is pretty great. The camera on your phone is actually pretty decent. MANY bookstagrammers use their phones for their pictures.

My secret is using filters for my editing to make my pictures really pop. I shared my favorite photo editing apps here.

Use What You Have

View this post on Instagram

"What are these? They're not really frogs , are they?" . . . @thesimplybookishco created a delicious Chocolate Frog tea. Sadly there are no jumping frogs here. You do however get a tasty chocolate-y chai flavor going on. Hurray for a tasty decaf blend. They are participating in the NERD Sale going through TODAY. Use the code NERDSALE918 to get $5 off a $25+ purchase. . . Psst, my favorites are Chocolate Frog and Nectar if you're looking for a suggestion. . . Book Recommended to You | #AllTheBooksSept18 | Sorcerer's Stone was recommended to me wayyyyy back when I was in 5th grade. Shortly after that it was selected by my teacher for the class book. I've been hooked since then . . All-Nighter | #ELReadsSeptember | HP has definitely kept me all night reading before. . . #ReadingTime #bookdragon #ILoveBooks #IReadYA #bookstagramfeature #mybookfeatures #bookstagramtogether #owlcratesociety #igbooks #booklife #instareads #becauseofreading #booknerdigans #booktography #bookworm #bookstagram #becauseofreading #bookaholic #instareads #booksofinstagram #bookcommunity #booksbooksbooks #readersgonnaread #thesimplybookishco #harrypotter

A post shared by Alison In Bookland (@alisoninbookland) on Sep 16, 2018 at 6:46am PDT

Shirt from my closet, cup of tea, and a book I already have.

Take a look in your closet! Sweaters are a great photo prop. You can capture the texture of the sweater for a particularly cozy aesthetic. Scarves are also amazing.

Maybe you have some great art or knick knacks laying around. I know you have mugs in the kitchen. Dig it all out and see what it looks like in different set ups.

Beg, Borrow But Don’t Steal

Okay, maybe you don’t have a lot of things that would look good in photos. How about a family member? Friend? Roommate? Ask to borrow a few pieces to see if you like how they look in photos.

View this post on Instagram

I know you're probably getting a *bit* sick of my Christmas-y photos. I like them and CHRISTMAS IS ONLY 5 DAYS AWAY!!!!!!! Are you ready? I still need to finish off presents for a couple of people and then just wrap everything up. . . I always get compliments on my folding skills so I want to fill you in my secret. ArtFolds (now defunct) was a company that printed books with shaded pages. You simply fold each page where the shaded part indicates and in just few hours you get your very own gorgeous creation. If you can fold a page and follow basic instructions, you can do this very easily. I PROMISE. . . If you search Amazon or B&N for ArtFolds, you should be able to find some books still out in the wild. The company no longer exists so prices are all over the place. If you’re able to snag one for a good price, it’s totally worth it. . . Fun Fact: "Joy" is actually a copy of Anne of Green Gables. I have another one that says "Read" which is a copy of Jane Eyre. I have one more that I still need to fold that reads "Love" which is Sense and Sensibility. . . Challenges | Green & Red Stack | #bibliowivesdec18 . Red & Green Books | #BookstagramReadsDecember . . #ReadingTime #bookdragon #ILoveBooks #IReadYA #mybookfeatures #bookstagramtogether #owlcratesociety #igbooks #booklife #instareads #becauseofreading #booknerdigans #booktography #bookworm #bookstagram #becauseofreading #bookaholic #instareads #bookcommunity #booksbooksbooks #readersgonnaread #bookstagramuncertified #artfolds #bookstack

A post shared by Alison In Bookland (@alisoninbookland) on Dec 20, 2018 at 8:00am PST

Before I bought my own flowers, I would borrow my mom’s.

Protip: If you’re going to borrow other’s belongings, take lots and LOTS of pictures. You can build yourself up a nice backlog of photos to use so you don’t need to constantly borrow things if you don’t want to.

Use Library Books

View this post on Instagram

Mini Book Review: Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor . . ⭐️⭐️⭐️ . . 😵😁😆 . . There's no denying that Laini's writing is beautiful. It really and truly is. It can just be a bit much for my taste. I don't need paragraphs of description when a few sentences will do. The story took SUCH a slow start for me. I had to read almost 200 pages before the story fully grabbed my attention. If it was anyone else, I would have DNF-ed the book and walked away. I trust Laini and really enjoyed the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series which is why I stuck with the book. Ultimately, I am glad that I stuck with it even if I didn't love it in a way that I was hoping. . . Thankfully, the story does get interesting when things get going. I'd say that's about when the group gets to Weep. The characters are really what makes the story shine. The story is crazy long but at least that gave Taylor adequate time to make the characters fully realized. I didn't even mind the instalove going on between the main characters simply because of how well written it was. It was very sweet and charming. . . Beautiful writing and beautiful story if you can stand slow paced writing. . . #minibookreview #emojibookreview #bookreview #ReadingTime #bookdragon #ILoveBooks #IReadYA #bookstagramfeature #mybookfeatures #bookstagramtogether #owlcratesociety #igbooks #booklife #instareads #becauseofreading #booknerdigans #booktography #booklove #bookaddict #igreads #bookworm #bookstagram #booknerdigans #becauseofreading #bookaholic #instareads #booksofinstagram #strangethedreamer

A post shared by Alison In Bookland (@alisoninbookland) on Sep 4, 2018 at 7:03am PDT

Don’t have books? No problem, get yourself a library card and you’ll have access to tons of books.

Depending on where your library places the barcode, you may need to get creative with props.

View this post on Instagram

GUESS WHAT I WAS APPROVED FOR!!!! . . I think this means I'm an official #bookblogger now! . . Thanks to Josh, @RandomHouseKids , Jay & Amie for making my month! . . I've got few more errands to finish up and them I'm setting in to read #AuroraRising . . . What are you reading today? . . Naturally, I'm burning my Astro Princess candle from @flickerwix to set the mood. Did you miss buying the Catalyst and Chaos box? There are still Illuminae and Likel1k3 candles in store for you to treat yourself with. Use ALISON10 to save! . . . #netgalley #ReadingTime #bookdragon #ILoveBooks #IReadYA #mybookfeatures #bookstagramtogether #owlcratesociety #igbooks #booklife #instareads #becauseofreading #booknerdigans #booktography #bookworm #yabookstagram #yabookblogger #bookaholic #instareads #bookcommunity #booksbooksbooks #bookobsessed #bookstagramuncertified #bookishmerch #flickerwix #flickerwixflavors

A post shared by Alison In Bookland (@alisoninbookland) on Mar 11, 2019 at 1:07pm PDT

E-books work too! I just turned the brightness way up to make sure you could see the cover.

Try The Dollar Store

View this post on Instagram

I really know how to live it up on my weekends. So far my ~grand plans~ for this weekend are: finish My Plain Jane, watch To All the Boys I've Loved Before and maybe start Strange the Dreamer. Seriously exciting things going on here. . . . Have you seen To All The Boys I've Loved Before yet? What are your non-spoiler thoughts?! . . . "Time can be rewritten." | Something you'd change in a book | #OfTheBookAug18 | Matthew's death in AoGG. His death wrecked me. He doesn't understand girls but he did everything he could to make Anne happy. He was too good to die! 😭😭 . . Photogenic books | #BookQueensAug18 | #BookstaWarriorAug18 | I'm an Anne lover so I have several copies of her books. This is one of the prettier copies I have. I need to get my hands on more of the Rifle and Co. classics. . . Classics | #FangirlinginAugust | Anne is one of my favorite classics! Yes, I also still need to finish the series. . . 'I'm Your Venus" – OTP | #ClutteredPages | Anne and Gilbert. I haven't reached the book where they marry and I'm in love with them. Gilbert Blythe is easily one of my top book boyfriends.😍😍 . . . #ReadingTime #bookdragon #ILoveBooks #IReadYA #bookstagramfeature #mybookfeatures #bookstagramtogether #owlcratesociety #igbooks #booklife #instareads #becauseofreading #booknerdigans #booktography #booklove #bookaddict #igreads #bookworm #bookstagram #booknerdigans #becauseofreading #bookaholic #instareads #booksofinstagram #anneofgreengables #booksandflowers

A post shared by Alison In Bookland (@alisoninbookland) on Aug 19, 2018 at 7:59am PDT

The dollar store can be your best friend. Before I made the jump to buying more expensive flowers, I tried the dollar store. Obviously, selections vary by store but you can find some great bouquets.

Cheap Candles Can Be Just As Beautiful As Expensive, Bookish Candles

View this post on Instagram

How do you feel about rereading books? . . I’m a huge fan. To me, the sign of a good book is my desire to reread it. . . . . I’ve easily reread Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone 10 times over the years. What’s your most reread book? . . . . #bookstagram #booknerdigan #owlcratesociety #bookstagramtogether #harrypotter

A post shared by Alison In Bookland (@alisoninbookland) on Mar 12, 2018 at 7:12am PDT

Before I had my giant collection of bookish candles from subscription boxes, I checked out my local Wal-mart. Their Mainstays candle collection has 3 oz glass jar candles for ~$1 a piece. They come in bright colors which show up pictures. You could buy an entire rainbow of candles for less than $10.

The dollar store also tends to have a decent collection of candles. I’ve seen some really interesting containers for the candles as well.

Use a Consistent, Clean Background

View this post on Instagram

QOTD: Do you intentionally order multiple copies of a book? . . AOTD: I was SO excited for My Plain Jane last year that I intentionally ordered Litjoy Crate AND Owlcrate to get two different special editions. I don't regret the decision at all. My Plain Jane was one of my favorite books of the year. That's the only time I've ever got duplicates from a book box. [Big shout out to the Facebook groups that guess the upcoming months! Without them, I'm sure I would have more duplicates otherwise]. Generally speaking, I don't buy multiple copies of a book unless I know I love it [HP, Anne of Green Gables]. . . Challenges . . #fandomfriday | #LadiesoffictionJan19 | Do the Ladies Janies have a fandom? I'm in it if they do. I LOVE the silliness of their books. . . Fave read of 2018| #bookishjan2019 | My Plain Jane! . . #janeeyre #myplainjane #myladyjane #totalbooknerd #bookaholic #bookstagram #ilovebooks #bookster #ireadya #yafiction #yalit #yabooks #bookcommunity #bookaesthetic #booktography #yalovin #readaholic #bookaholic #bookstagramit #bookspines #qotd

A post shared by Alison In Bookland (@alisoninbookland) on Jan 4, 2019 at 7:03am PST

The easiest way to upgrade your bookstagram account is to have a CLEAN (no laundry, dirty dishes, or toys) background. I’ve seen some people use their wooden dining tables. Others use their white sheets on the beds. You know what you have at home.

I have none of the above so I made a “splurge” purchase of a paper photo backdrop. I spent ~$10 at Hobby Lobby for my wooden background. Just that little change has made my photos look SO much more professional.