# Minimal Mantle Seating Wenshuai Liu's Bookshelf Chair Shows that Paper Novels are Still Revelant By Meghan Young | Published 2011-05-31 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bookshelf-chair References: [theblogonthebookshelf.blogspot](http://theblogonthebookshelf.blogspot.com/2011/03/bookshelf-chair.html) & [coroflot](http://www.coroflot.com/xiake) I have to say, I find it strange that so many pieces of furniture similar to the Bookshelf chair have popped up in the last little while. The reason I find the Bookshelf chair and those like it strange is because of the growing popularity of e-readers and tablets. The Bookshelf chair shows that [books are still very much prevalent](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/penguin-x-moebe-book-stand) in modern society and that designers do not see them diminishing any time soon. Although people may be living in an era of rapid technological advancements, they are also a [nostalgic generation that appreciates the past](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aroma-chair). Created by Beijing-based designer Wenshuai Liu, the Bookshelf chair is simple enough to complement any living interior. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.2/10 - Popularity: 46% | Activity: 11% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Nostalgic Furniture:** Designing furniture with careful appreciation of traditional styles while keeping the functionality of modern elements would create a niche market for those who seek familiarity and warm memories. - **Paper Book Appreciation:** As digital books take over the mainstream market, designing furniture that showcases people's love for physical paper books is a novel way to merge antiquity with modernity. - **Multipurpose Furniture:** Creating furniture that serves more than one purpose, can optimize living space and cater to people's needs in a way that is both fashionable and functional. ### Who This Affects Most - **Furniture:** The fusion of traditional and modern elements in furniture designs will appeal to a larger market, and the creation of multipurpose furniture can optimize living space. - **Publishing:** Creating furniture that appreciates the aesthetic and tactile experience of physical books is a way to keep readers engaged and cultivates a love for physical books, likely increasing physical book sales. - **Interior Design:** Designing furniture that caters to a wide range of tastes and preferences while keeping in mind the importance of space optimization and functionality, is an opportunity for interior designers to cater to a large, diverse market. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Personality-Enhancing Side Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ordo-book.md) - [Book-Storing Side Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bookgroove-bookrack.md) - [Ultra-Simple Multifunctional Furniture Pieces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chairpf.md) - [Minimalist Bookish Shelves](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/minimal-bookshelf.md) - [Tranquil Reading Seating](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chapters-furniture.md) - [Sliding Wintery Landscape Bookshelves](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/manhwabang-bookshelf.md) - [Tech-Charging Book Holders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/haaase-liesma-bookshelf.md) - [Compact Functional Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bookmarker-table.md) - [Industrial Light-Equipped Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hidden-light-chair.md)