Survey suggests many people only use books to boost the look of a room

She was derided on social media last week when she was accused of ordering the books on her shelves by colour.

But it seems that Liz Truss is in good company, with a survey suggesting many of us use books just to boost the look of a room.

Researchers found almost one in ten say they use books as a form of decoration without actually reading them, while 9 per cent pick covers because they will complement the aesthetic of their homes.

They found 31 per cent admit making literary choices designed to project their personality to visitors, while a further 14 per cent choose books to make them look more intelligent or well read. 

Last week, Ms Truss was criticised for posting a defence of her disastrous 2022 mini-Budget online. But comment also came from an unexpected quarter. 

In the video she can be seen sitting in front of a colour-coded bookcase – which was immediately mocked as 'naff' by book lovers.

The survey also found men are more guilty of decorating their homes with unread books, with 11 per cent owning up compared with 8 per cent of women.

Young people are more likely to see books as purely adornment, with 14 per cent of Generation Z – those aged 16 to 26 – admitting they have stocked their shelves to create an image or decorative look.

This compared with 16 per cent of millennials (those aged 27 to 42), 6 per cent of Generation X (those aged 43 to 58) and just 5 per cent of Baby Boomers (those aged 59 and over).

Steve Payne, of Bedroom furniture specialists Feather & Black, which carried out the survey of 2,000 adults, said: 'There is something timeless and sophisticated about being surrounded by books and our research shows that younger people in particular are tapping into that idea.'