Bookstore Color Palettes

These bookstore color palettes assist you with choosing colors for your shop logo, shelf signs, book bags, site and Instagram posts.

These are designed for bookstore owners, bookstores, book café staff, and anyone engaging in book brand design.

Have you found a shade that suits you? Click and the Hex code is copied. 5 colors no sign up per palette.

I enjoyed the diverse books, beautiful presentation and their organization on the shelves of Saleemi Friends. The overall design is also very modern and stylish, with the use of colors and lights that create a vibrant atmosphere.

The books were organized neatly, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the space. I found the ambiance to be modern and inviting.

To me it is essential that a bookstore be bold with colour, making the books stand out and provide a shop with an organised and attractive identity.

Popular Bookstore Color Palettes: Old Library, Paperback Cream, Ink & Quill, Café Corner, Kids Storytime, Forest Reads, Modern Shelf, Academic Navy, Vintage Rose, Comic Pop.

10 Bookstore Color Palettes

Quick Reference Table

All 10 bookstore color palettes in one place!

Red	#FF0000	Red Orange
Old Library	#3B2416, #6F4E37, #A67B5B, #E8D8C3, #2894A8	Old bookstores and libraries
Paperback Cream	#FAF6EE, #EDE3D1, #C9B79C, #5A4A3A,	This color represents indie neighborhood bookstores.This color is for indie neighborhood bookstores #B23A48
Ink & Quill	#0D1B2A, #1B263B, #415A77, #E0E1DD, #C38875	Bread and pastry shops
Café Corner	#4E342E, #8D6E63, #D7CCC8, #FFF8F0, #2E7D32	Bookstore cafés
Kids Storytime	#FF6B6B, #FFD93D, #6BCB77, #4D96FF, #FFFFFF	Children’s Book Shops
Forest Reads	#283618, #606C38, #DDA15E, #FEFAE0,	This section is for nature and travel books.For nature and travel books use #BC6C25.
Modern Shelf	#111111, #3A3A3A, #D9D9D9, #F5F5F5,	These are modern concept bookstores in #FF5A36.
Academic Navy	#14213D, #1F4E79, #A7BED3, #F4F6F8, #07233A	Colleges and schools
Vintage Rose	#6D2E46, #A26769, #D5B9B2, #ECE2D0, #3C3F3F	Fiction sections
Comic Pop	#E63946, #FFB703, #023047, #8ECAE6, #FFFFFF	Video games, toys, and board games

What Palette to Use?

You will need	Best Pick + justification for choice
A cozy, old-style bookshop	Wood browns and deep green hues give the Old Library an old-fashioned feel and warmth in a cozy bookshop.
A bookstore and a café inside the bookstore are relaxed and inviting.	Café Corner: coffee browns and cream feel relaxed and inviting.
A children’s book shop	Kids Storytime: bright primary colors is a fun and friendly children’s book shop.
Textbook or university store	Academic Navy: navy and maroon feel smart and trusted.
A modern, minimal concept store	Modern Shelf – black, grey and orange – makes for a modern and minimal concept store.
A comic or manga shop	Comic Pop: red, yellow, and blue feel loud and play.

Warm Vintage vs Clean Modern

The majority of bookstores will go for one of these two styles. These are the comparisons for you:

Warm Vintage

Picture Old Library, Café Corner and Vintage Rose.

Best for:

• 書店 (book shops) is a term that encompasses second-hand and antique bookshops.
• Bookshelves and chairs for reading in the stores where the books are stored.
• Set up book cafés and reading clubs.Organize book cafés and reading clubs.
• Brands which are looking for warmth and sentimentality.

Clean Modern

Consider Modern Shelf, Academic Navy and Ink & Quill.

Best for:

• Bookstores that are new or concept bookstores
• University and textbook shops
• Online bookstores that have clean book pages
• Brands that would like to look clean and tidy.

For most bookstores I recommend going WARM and CALM. Soft walls and shelves make books stand out since book covers are already colorful.

This page shows how to use these Palettes.

Website

1. You can use the lightest color as a background for your page.
2. Apply the darkest colours for text and headings.
3. Use one accent colour for buttons such as “Shop new arrivals.”

Signage & Packaging

1. Use a colour converter to convert HEX codes to CMYK prior to print.
2. Have one primary color for book bags, book marks, and shelf signs.
3. It is best to print a sample bookmark first as colors can be darker on paper.

Social Media

1. Choose one background colour for book reviews and new arrivals.
2. Apply the same 2-3 colours to the text and Story stickers.
3. Check your grid. It should be just one bookstore, not ten.

CSS Snippet

css

:root {
  --book-dark:  #5A4A3A; /* text */
  --book-red:   #B23A48; /* buttons */
  --book-sand:  #EDE3D1; /* sections */
  --book-light: #FAF6EE; /* background */
}

Add this to your stylesheet, and then use var(--book-red) on any other place on your site you want to use that colour.

Pro Tip

Try the colors side by side with actual book covers. Have paint and sign samples next to a pile of colorful books.

When the walls or signs are difficult to match with the covers, choose a lighter color. Books are always the star!

The harmony of colors, shelf arrangement and lighting is very important in bookstore decoration which I have seen in my experience with Saleemi Friends.

I think cream, light brown and soft neutral colors help the colorful book covers pop and darker colors help signage and text to pop.

When choosing colors for the shelves and walls, it is crucial to compare the color with different book covers to make sure the colors of the shelves and walls do not detract from the beauty of the books.

FAQ

Which color combinations would be ideal for a bookstore?

Warm browns, creams and deep green colors are comfortable and traditional. Modern/academic navy and grey stores are acceptable.

What is the optimal number of colors for the bookstore’s brand?

I suggest 3-4 colors, one dark, one medium and one or two accent colors. Over that will get messy.

Are these bookstore colour palettes copyright free?

Yes. Make use of them for your site or book bags, logo or signage. No credit needed.

What should the colour of a bookstore be?

Colors that are muted are the best choices for walls and shelves. Use bright colors for children’s sections, sale sign and small details.

Need more ideas on color?

Take advantage of hundreds of colors available in our Brand Color Library. Click on any color to copy it – forever free!