Xydedoing Decorative Faux Books E5 — Modern Coffee Table Decor

Intro

Decorative books are an easy, low-commitment way to update a shelf, mantle, or coffee table. Xydedoing's 2-piece faux book set (Color E5) is pitched exactly at that mission: a lightweight, neutral-palette styling accent that the listing describes as a "realistic hardcover" made from "thickened, durable cardboard" and a smooth matte finish. The set is marketed for coffee-table styling, risers/plant/candle bases, and — in some designs — hidden storage.

This review is written for gift shoppers who want a practical sense of what this pair will actually deliver: how they look, how they hold up, what owners repeatedly praise or complain about, and who should get these as a gift versus who should skip them.

What it is / first look

The product is sold as a pack of two decorative faux books by Xydedoing (Manufacturer: Nordic Style Home Decor). The listing presents them as "premium Decorative Fake Books" with a neutral color palette and typography intended to mimic coffee-table books. The quick highlights in the listing emphasize four ideas: premium cardboard, versatility (decor/bookends/storage), neutral aesthetic, and gifting suitability.

On receipt, buyers should expect paper/cardboard construction rather than printed, sewn, or bound book block details. The listing calls the material "thickened, durable cardboard" and a "realistic hardcover finish," and owner feedback repeatedly describes the finished look as convincingly like a real book from a distance.

Important early caveat: the listing mentions that "some designs feature hollow interiors" for hidden storage, but owner reports show that many buyers received units that are glued shut or built as solid cardboard blocks rather than usable hollow boxes. Assembly expectations are also inconsistent: several owners report having to assemble parts with no directions in the box.

Who this is a good gift for

These faux books are a niche but useful gift — inexpensive, visually neutral, and easy to style. Below are practical recipient matches and the assumptions that must be true for the gift to work.

The new apartment inveterate decorator

Why it fits: The listing highlights a minimalist, neutral palette that the brand says suits modern, farmhouse, and home-office looks. For someone moving into a small rental or first apartment, a lightweight styling set that doesn't require real books can be a fast visual upgrade.

Assumption: The recipient wants faux decor and prefers neutral tones — check whether they favor warm terracotta/beige or crisp white/black looks before gifting.

The host or hostess who likes a curated coffee table

Why it fits: The listing promotes the pieces as coffee table accents and risers for small vases or candles. For a host who already likes tidy, curated surfaces, two matching faux books are an easy addition.

Assumption: The recipient will use them as surface styling rather than as functional book storage. If they expect real books or heavy structural support, these are not the right choice.

The budget-conscious housewarming or wedding add-on

Why it fits: At a low price and sold as a two-pack, these make an attractive add-on to a larger housewarming or wedding gift. The listing explicitly calls them a thoughtful housewarming or wedding gift option.

Assumption: This is a supplementary present and not the sole premium gift—expectations should match the modest price point.

The dorm-room decorator or roommate

Why it fits: Lightweight, portable, and neutral styling suits dorm rooms and small shared spaces. The pieces are easy to rearrange and require no long-term upkeep, per the listing copy.

Assumption: The recipient wants purely decorative pieces rather than functional books or substantial storage.

The gift not for someone who wants hidden storage

Why it fits: The listing mentions hidden storage "in some designs," but owner feedback shows a recurring mismatch between expectation and reality. If the recipient specifically needs secret storage for remotes, jewelry, or valuables, this set is risky unless you confirm the SKU offers a hollow interior.

In daily use

How people reported styling and living with these books mostly breaks into three patterns: surface styling, light functional use, and confusion around storage/assembly.

Surface styling

• Owners frequently mention the authentic look: phrases such as "very authentic looking" and "looks beautiful" show up in positive feedback. The listing's neutral color treatment (described as beige/white/black/terracotta) and clean typography are designed to fit a curated shelf or coffee table setting.
• Practical styling ideas from the listing: stacked with a small vase or bowl on top, used as a riser for candles or plants, or paired with a tray to create a vignette.

Light functional use

• The listing suggests multi-use: bookends, risers, and hidden storage. Owners report success using them as purely decorative risers and lightweight bookends for small paperback stacks.
• Do not expect heavy-duty structural support. The listing emphasizes cardboard construction; owners who tried to use them as major weight-bearing props did not report them as structural replacements for solid wooden risers.

Storage and assembly surprises

• Owners who bought the set hoping for storage found mixed results. Multiple buyers tried to hide TV remotes or jewelry and discovered the interiors were glued or not hollow — one owner explicitly wrote they planned to hide a remote but "they are not" hollow.
• Several owners reported an assembly step and no instructions. The most common complaint in critical reviews is about presentation: "Not as described" or that the item arrived as folded cardstock that required assembly, often without directions.

Materials & build quality

The listing claims "premium" and "thickened, durable cardboard" with a "smooth matte finish" and a "realistic hardcover design." That language is the brand's promise; owner reports give the fuller picture.

• Positive owner notes: Many buyers say the finished look is convincing and matches expectations for a low-cost styling accessory — comments include "very real looking," "looks like a real book," and "great quality and price."
• Negative owner notes: A notable minority describe the product as flimsy, printed cardstock, or requiring assembly from folded pieces. Phrases in the critical feedback include "flimsy," "not as described," and "just cardboard that needs assembling."
• Construction variance: The internal research notes show a pattern: most buyers praise the aesthetic, but a smaller group receives items that feel less substantial or are presented in a collapsed/flat form that must be assembled. That suggests some variability in packing or production runs.

Practical takeaway: Expect a lightweight, cardboard-based decorative object that looks good at a glance. If you need a durable, heavy-duty prop or guaranteed hollow storage, verify the specific SKU details on the current listing before gifting.

Safety considerations

There are no explicit safety certifications or electrical/chemical claims in the listing. The safety picture is simple but worth noting for gift shoppers:

• Materials: The listing names cardboard and a matte finish only; there are no material certifications (e.g., flame-retardant, food-safe) listed. If a recipient is sensitive to VOCs or needs certified-safe materials for a particular use, the listing does not provide that documentation.
• Choking/young-children: Because this is a small decorative object made from cardboard and possibly glued assemblies, it is not designed as a toy. The listing and owner notes do not cover child safety; if the household has small children who might tear or chew decorative products, err on the side of caution.
• Structural safety: Owners who expected hollow storage and then forced the pieces open could risk tearing the construction. Follow the listing's guidance (and the product's feel on arrival) rather than prying aggressively if you plan to use one as storage.

Who should skip it

• Anyone who wants actual reading material: These are faux decorative books, not real, readable books.
• Buyers who require guaranteed hollow storage: The listing says "some designs feature hollow interiors," but owner feedback shows inconsistency. If storage is the main goal, do not buy without verifying the SKU promises hollow interiors.
• Recipients who need high-durability props: For heavy vases, large plant pots, or anything that places concentrated weight, choose a sturdier wooden or ceramic riser described with load-bearing specs.
• People who dislike faux decor or prefer vintage/antique books: This set is a modern, neutral faux; it won't suit tastes that prefer the tactile or authentic book look close-up.

Verdict

For a simple, budget-friendly styling update, Xydedoing's 2-piece decorative faux books deliver the basic promise: a neutral, modern look that photographs well on a shelf or coffee table. The listing leans into a "premium" cardboard appearance, and many owners back that up with praise for the realistic look and price-value.

However, the product is not without risk. The two recurring practical problems in owner feedback are construction inconsistency (some buyers call it flimsy or folded cardstock) and hollow-storage confusion (the listing says "some designs feature hollow interiors," but multiple owners expected storage and found glued interiors instead). If either of these points would bother the recipient, verify the live listing and customer images before buying.

Best gift fit

Buy this as an affordable styling add-on or a casual housewarming/hostess gift for someone who likes minimal, neutral decor and is unlikely to expect actual, heavy-duty storage.

Biggest buying risk

The biggest buying risk is expectation mismatch: buyers sometimes expect hollow storage or a sturdier build and instead receive glued cardboard that only looks like a book. Owners also report occasional flat/partially assembled pieces and missing instructions. These are not universal, but they show up often enough in feedback to matter for gifting.

Check before you buy (quick checklist)

• Confirm the SKU/color: the product is listed in multiple colorways — double-check you’re ordering the desired option.
• Decide if hollow storage is required: the listing says "some designs feature hollow interiors," but owners report many units are glued shut. If storage matters, verify the product details on the live listing first.
• Expect cardboard construction: the listing explicitly describes "thickened cardboard" and a matte finish — this is a decorative piece, not a heavy structural riser.
• Accept possible assembly: several owners received folded pieces and noted there were no directions. Be ready for minor assembly or to help the recipient put them together.
• Number of items: the pack contains two pieces — plan styling accordingly.

Colors available

The listing shows multiple colorways. Available color options are:

• E5
• E1
• E2
• E3
• E4

In the product copy the neutral palette is described as beige/white/black/terracotta; the available E‑codes above map to those variants on the listing. Double-check the specific color images on the current listing if the exact tone matters for matching a room.

Final thoughts for gifters

These faux books are a practical, low-cost way to freshen a home with neutral, modern accents. They work best as part of a styling vignette — a two-pack can be stacked or placed apart to give different shelf heights. Because the construction is cardboard-based, they’re lightweight and easy to ship or tuck into a gift box, but the same cardboard construction is the reason they’re not a substitute for heavy-duty risers or real hidden-storage boxes unless the SKU specifically advertises hollow interiors.

If you’re buying for someone who loves the look of curated interiors, or you need a small, inexpensive finishing touch for a larger housewarming or wedding present, this set is a reasonable bet — just verify hollow-storage claims and color choice if either is critical.