10 UNIQUE STYLING IDEAS FOR YOUR BOOKSHELVES

No matter the size or scope of your library, its decor must remain harmonious and well-curated. There are various strategies available for meeting this objective.

1. Stack Your Books

Oversized hardback books can quickly overwhelm a shelf when placed upright, taking up too much room and looking unattractive. Instead, try stacking them instead for added visual interest on shelves. Doing this creates multiple paths of divergent lines to draw the eye away from one line to the next while making shelves more visually interesting.

Some prefer sorting their books by color while others find it aesthetically pleasing to organize them by height (like this cascade of tall then short books by Thistlewood Farms). There’s no right or wrong way to organize your shelves – there’s simply your preference and that of others who use your shelves!

Display decorative objects on your bookshelves such as framed photos, small paintings or even vases of flowers to give your shelves an inviting gallery aesthetic. Or use decorative boxes and baskets to hide + organize smaller items like tech accessories, votive candles and writing supplies when not being used – adding texture, organization and helping declutter shelves while de-cluttering shelves into more of a gallery appearance.

2. Organize by Color

Your bookshelves can create an elegant aesthetic in your home when decorated with decorative objects and trinkets, like pottery pieces from Grandmillennial to Boho styles – such as blue-and-white pottery or terra-cotta pieces for Boho spaces.

To achieve an integrated look, organize accessories by color. This helps the eye move smoothly across your shelf while making it feel balanced; Leslie from The Leslie Style did just this when she grouped all her vases together using the same hue of blue for each vase.

Consider including some family heirlooms or special souvenirs on your shelves as an effective way to show off your personality and spark conversation with guests. These personal touches will undoubtedly create lasting memories!

3. Create a Pattern

Well-organized shelves make an excellent space for books as well as stylish storage for accessories that match. To begin, Klugh suggests going through your collection to remove items you no longer use and organize what remains by size or color – before emptying shelves entirely and following the KonMari method to dispose of or give away anything that doesn’t bring joy.

Once your bookshelf has been decluttered, consider adding a decorative pattern to its back wall. Painting it a coordinating color or adding wallpaper with damask, toile, or floral patterns is sure to give your bookcase an elegant cottage aesthetic.

If you want to organize your bookshelf by height, try creating a wave pattern by stacking taller books on one side and lower ones on the other. Or create a stylish ombre effect by organizing by color with darker spines on lower shelves and gradually lighter tones as the shelf height rises.

4. Add a Plant

An abundance of greenery adds life and vibrancy to a bookshelf, whether that means adding ferns, vines or an indoor tree as focal points or accents. When selecting plants for your shelves’ sunlight conditions be sure to select ones which can thrive well with less light available than you anticipate.

Your shelves can also be decorated with small vases, candles and decorative jugs that add the perfect accents for an eye-catching display. For a rustic vibe try using woven baskets or rattan book-ends; fluted or reeded textures are great additions (fluted having vertical lines while reeded having inward ridges).

Bookshelves can be one of the easiest ways to make a design statement and express yourself creatively. There are endless styling possibilities, but here are a few ideas as a place to begin. Just be wary not to overdo it with decor items – too much may clash.

5. Add a Frame

If your bookshelves are the focal point of any room, adding frames will help them stand out and look custom-built and intentional. This DIY project is manageable for even novice carpenters and adds a professional touch to any shelving unit.

Shelves can provide an intimate physical representation of your accomplishments (like ever-growing to-read lists), associations (self-help titles), and interests ( sci-fi, travelogues, whatever is your guilty pleasure). When selecting bookends or framed artwork for shelves, aim for an equilibrium between warm earthy materials like leather and glass as bookends/frames/art.

Start with a round mirror or shallow basket that stands taller than the other decor items you plan on adding, such as clocks or statues. After selecting two objects that complement this in style and size – battery-powered options would give an added element. Finally, scatter clocks or statues among your shelves for an interesting touch!

6. Add a Mirror

Mirrors can help create the impression of extra space on a bookshelf while adding visual interest and creating more light reflection. Simply place one on top shelf or lean it against back of a bookcase to add this illusion of extra room!

Repetition is an effective design rule that helps guide the eye throughout a room and makes it feel cohesive. Bookshelves can benefit from repetition–using similar shapes like those featured by Just a Girl Blog (woven baskets or metal accessories like this gold sphere on this bookshelf can make shelves appear cohesive).

Framed art can add another classic bookshelf decoration element, particularly if your shelves aren’t perfectly symmetrical; adding pieces with fluted or reeded textures instead of solid wood frames will help balance out your overall display. For a subtler aesthetic, opt for frames with these textures instead.

7. Create a Framed Artwork

Improve the decor of your bookshelf with decorative items like picture frames, ceramics, plants and vases. Varying height and texture between shelves adds variety while heighted vases with darker hues like brown or amber hues add contrast. If your bookcases are white in color, consider including darker vase hues that offer visual relief like some contrast from white hued vases to add some visual interest and diversity to your shelves.

No matter if it be precious knick-knacks, framed artwork, or books that you cherish – these bookshelf ideas will help you curate a stunning display that is both functional and stylish. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the placement of items; that will create something truly personal! To keep things harmonious but not overcrowded – add the largest objects first then stagger decor across shelves; this way the arrangement remains cohesive without becoming chaotic.

8. Add a Basket

Bring all your decorative objects together on a bookshelf, from mementos and frames to artwork and plants – it makes the ideal backdrop to display everything from keepsakes to books, artwork and plants! Incorporate seagrass or rattan baskets for texture variation and different heights!

Utilizing a basket as the focal point is one of the easiest and most effective ways to add visual interest and heighten a room with visual balance on shelves. For maximum impact, choose a round tray, mirror or shallow basket as the tallest object on each shelf and fill out any empty spaces with objects of slightly differing heights such as artwork frames or bud vases that create visual harmony and make shelves feel less cluttered while drawing the eye upward and making it seem taller in your room.

9. Add a Vase

Bookshelves provide an ideal space for displaying special mementos and pieces from your library collection while simultaneously maintaining an attractive aesthetic. Yet it may be challenging to figure out how to style shelves so they become part of an elegant room design rather than mere storage spots for books.

To prevent an overwhelming appearance, add decorative objects of different heights. A round tray or shallow basket looks great atop horizontal book stacks while taller objects like vases with branches will complete the overall effect. Also be mindful to balance warm earthy materials like wood with cold metals like metal and glass for visual interest; finally decorate in odd numbers – even and symmetrical arrangements may feel too busy when decorating a bookshelf; this adds depth and complexity.