Our homes' most interesting pieces often come with a secret. For years, mine was a wall clock in my bedroom that discreetly doubled as hidden storage — don’t tell anyone I told you that. But now, I’ve stumbled upon something even better: an unassuming literary item from Amazon with perhaps the greatest hidden talent of all. Meet the 'book lamp'.
At first glance, it’s just a vintage-style book. But crack it open, and an intricate arrangement of glowing, origami-like pages unfolds. Enchanted is the only way to describe it — like something out of a fairytale. And, like magic, the table lamp's "pages" can be transformed into novel shapes. Spread them 360 degrees into a pinwheel, held perfectly in place by built-in magnets, or let them settle into softer arcs.
The “paper,” by the way, is tear-resistant, so you can flex your creativity without fear of mishaps. Opening, closing, and contorting it is oddly satisfying — ideal for fidgeting through boring Zoom calls — but it also shines as a permanent fixture on a shelf or nightstand.
Price: $23.99
These cordless bookish beauties offer four to six hours of glow per charge and can be easily powered up via USB. Switching the light’s color is as simple as a quick open-and-close of the book’s rich brown cover — cool light, warm light, even orange light — all literally and figuratively on the table.
“I have one of these book lamps,” shares Livingetc’s content director, Lindsey Davis. “I don’t have a traditional bedside table, just a lidded box where I rest my books and other bits, so it’s quite handy when I need light. My boyfriend liked it so much, I got him one too. His version even has a remote, and he switches it to orange to wind down before bed.” Practical, charming, and boyfriend-approved? What more could you ask for?
And if, for some reason, you grow tired of its warm, ambient glow (or cool or orange — the lamp has three light settings), simply fold it back into book form and tuck it away with your other literary treasures. No one will suspect a thing.
Behold your new best-kept secret. A good style editor never tells…
More Clever Lights
Price: $46.99
What if I told you this modern table lamp was also a charger? Sure, it’s a light, but it packs a bigger punch with its built-in USB port, a handy surface for your smartphone, and a sculptural silhouette so striking it could stand solo — no bulb, no phone, no props necessary.
Price: $13.99
While the book lamp folds horizontally, this one goes vertical with an similarly intricate, origami-inspired design. Its lantern-like shape exudes warmth and serenity, making it ideal for reading bedside. And because it's a portable table lamp, you can take it anywhere. One reviewer even raved about bringing it along for road trips — minivan mood lighting, anyone?
Price: $49.99
Target’s book shelf lamp subverts the above concept entirely. Where the book lamp hides in plain sight, this literary lighting option leans into its dual identity: both a bookish accessory and a nod to the timeless sconce.
Curious about 2025's brightest looks? Search no further than CB2's Spring lighting collection.
-
Don't Fall Into the Trap of These Tacky and Dated Patio Furniture Buys — Here, Designers Share the Styles to Shop InsteadIt's time to retire those brightly-colored plastic chairs and ugly buttoned upholstery...
-
10 Loft Stair Ideas That Turn Functional Steps Into a Stylish StatementThese clever staircase solutions from designers and architects promise to elevate your space in more ways than one
-
Yes, There's a Difference — And This Is the Best Silk Bedding to Prove ItNo shiny imposters. This is the silk bedding worth slipping into
-
I've Been Looking for the Prettiest Pool Lounger to Buy — Here's 3 Styles I'm Tossing Up Between This SeasonThey bring the durability, the comfort, and the style. All you have to do is relax
-
This 5 Star-Rated Bench Seat Would Honestly Look Good Anywhere in the Home — And It's On Sale Right NowCustomers have called it "high end" and "absolutely gorgeous"... and you'll never guess where it's from (hint: it's Walmart)
-
'Tea Time' Is the New Cocktail Hour — And the Fashion Crowd Is Re-imagining the Tradition Through Irreverent DesignInside the surreal, hyper-curated world of new-school high tea — where the tableware is art, pastries are props, and irony is part of the dress code
-
9 Ingredients for 'Elevated Bed Rot' — The Chicest Way to Do Nothing at AllA Diet Coke hits different in a martini stem
-
String Lights Are Over — This Outdoor Lighting Collab Is What Comes Next (and Fixes Your Backyard’s Biggest Issue)No plugs, no problem. Pooky x The Novogratz makes a compelling case to ditch your string lights for good
-
Take a Pitcher, Make It Last Longer — This Is the Crucial Thing Your Spring Table is MissingFor spring tables with style, meet the warm-weather staple that keeps drinks flowing (and the host seated)
-
"New Prints on the Block" — Caroline Z Hurley Just Made Your Bed the Coolest Canvas in the HouseThe Brooklyn-based artist trades paint for pillowcases in a breezy Brooklinen drop made for mixing, matching, and musings
