How to style a bookshelf
Styling a bookshelf: Shelf styling tips and tricks
Supported by Canberra Outlet
Shelf styling, or shelfie styling as it’s more commonly known, is only gaining popularity as a way of adding a personalised and stylish touch to our homes.
With a few simple tricks and tips on what items to use and how, you can take your shelfie game from average to amazing!
Watch this quick video for my favourite ideas on styling a bookshelf of any size or continue reading below.
Related article: The tips and tricks to styling your coffee table with ease
Related article: Before and after: A dated living room gets a dramatic makeover with Canberra Outlet
1. Start with larger items first
It’s easy to come undone when you begin styling your shelf with small decorative items. So start to fill your shelf with larger items such as woven baskets or artwork. This will help you get the scale and balance right and give you a basic layout.
2. Bring in artwork
I mentioned starting with artwork and this doesn’t have to be expensive. I love this large A1 timber frame I got from Adairs which makes inexpensive posters look like framed pieces of art. And the best bit, you can easily change the posters or prints as your mood or seasons change.
Consider placing artwork towards the back of the shelf and layer smaller decorative items in front — using the depth of the shelf will create interest.
3. Mix up book placement
Books instantly add a homely feel to shelf styling. Make the most of them by stacking books horizontally and vertically, and aligning some stacks to the left, right or centre of a shelf.
By mixing up the positioning of books and piles, you’ll keep things interesting and help balance the ‘weight’ of your shelf styling.
4. Introduce decorative objects
What can take your shelf styling up a notch is the introduction of decorative objects.
These could be pieces you’ve collected on your travels, treasured family heirlooms or latest season homewares.
Depending on your style, you could use almost anything as decorative accents. People who embrace the eclectic style will often use an old typewriter, whereas Scandi-lovers will lean towards concrete décor.
In this shelf, I’ve used a large brass stalk and hourglass from Freedom, blue glass knot from Adairs and several other items as accent pieces.
Don’t be afraid to play around with items. Sometimes it’s the pieces you really don’t think will work that look great when you step back and look at the shelf as a whole.
5. Put an item on your stack
One of my favourite ways to give your shelf styling confidence is by layering, and an easy trick to do this is by placing items on top of stacks.
If you’ve created a few book stacks on your shelf, simply place a small decorative item on top. For example, I’ve placed the blue glass knot on one stack and a brass trinket box on another.
You can use this tip in any space of the home. For example, in the bathroom you may place a soap and body brush on a stack of towels. It’s a neat trick you can apply to any styling you do.
6. Decorate in odd numbers
It may sound strange but arranging items in odd numbers creates a more balanced look. By that I mean, creating arrangements of 1, 3, 5 or even 7 items.
If an arrangement isn’t working for you, consider changing the height or scale of some pieces. Perhaps everything is too same-same or perhaps the items are too large or small?
7. Add greenery
Indoor plants add a pop of life and have a stack of health benefits too (such as improving air quality and even reducing blood pressure).
I love that there’s a bigger range than ever before of stylish and affordable pots that you can place your plants in — it’s an easy way to add more materials and dimension to your shelf styling.
I’ve used a large brass pot, a grey terrazzo pot and several other vessels to display the plants on this shelf.
If you don’t have a green thumb, you can use artificial plants for the same visual impact or you may like to check out our top 20 hard to kill plants here.
8. Consider adding a vase of things
Another idea to decorate your shelf is to fill a large vase or jar with an item. I’ve filled this Freedom jar with tea light candles. But you might like to use toy cars or anything that showcases your personality. If the shelf is in your laundry, you could pick up on the theme of the space and fill it with pegs… the options are endless!
9. Add metallic accents
A few metallic objects will add that pop of bling and elevate your shelf styling.
You can mix metals but just be sure to stick to all warm or all cold. By this we mean, warm tones like gold, brass, copper or rose gold, or all cold tones such as silver and nickel.
10. Stand back and edit
As most interior stylists and designers will tell you, the most important step is to stand back and edit.
Look at your shelf and ask yourself — is it too busy or bland? Do you need to inject some colour or balance things out?
Sometimes less is more. Embracing a little negative space (or blank space) can give the rest of your shelf styling room to breathe.
All of the beautiful pieces I’ve used to style my bookshelf are available at Canberra Outlet.
What other shelf styling tips can you add? Share them in the comments below!
Check out more styling ideas
This article was first published in July 2018.
10 rules for styling a bookshelf |
(Image credit: Kitesgrove)
Learning how to style a bookcase so it becomes an elegant part of a room rather than a distraction is vital to a successful scheme. So whether you are a book hoarder, are obsessed with stunning coffee table books or love a paperback novel, you can find out how to artfully display them from our experts, below.
It may be that you are searching for bookshelf ideas to elevate your collection of tomes at the same time – the material, layout and shape of these can be integral to your display, too.
And don’t forget your favorite keepsakes – style a bookshelf so it holds memories, too.
How to style a bookcase
Whether you are considering reading nook ideas, grander home library ideas or simply looking for book storage ideas that are as beautifully curated as the rest of your room, these rules for how to style a bookshelf will help you achieve your aim.
Note: these are not tips for organizing bookshelves; rather they are aesthetic – so, for example, if you love color then you can feature your most bright and cheery books to display, or, if you like the more natural look then consider turning your books around so you don’t see the spines.
1. Leave space for display alongside books
(Image credit: Future)
'If you are designing a home library, bear in mind that over-styling bookcases can be an issue. Books are usually beloved – not props, so don't worry too much about having a few books too many that need to be piled sideways. However, if you do this, ensure that some areas of the bookshelves are kept book-free and devoted to the display of a few key pieces that reflect the style of your space,' says Homes & Gardens' decorating editor Emma Thomas.
(Image credit: Future)
If you are designing bookshelves from scratch, it's worth structuring their layout with how you will style the bookcase in mind. This works particularly well in a space where the bookshelf is the most interesting element and perhaps even the focal point, such as at the end of a hallway, but is also one of those characterful home office ideas that is worth including in your home study. Here, the bookcase has larger, longer niches in which the owner can display artworks, set off by a contrasting metallic background color.
3. Display books stacked in piles
(Image credit: Future)
'You can style a bookshelf by grouping your coffee table books together in piles – odd numbers always work best visually,' says Homes & Gardens' digital editor Jennifer Ebert. 'If you do this, do leave some space around each pile so that they look deliberate and neat rather than accidental and messy. You could theme them depending on subject matter or team similar colors together, but try to keep to one pile of books and no more than two ornaments per shelf to retain a spacious and styled look.
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4. Display books by 'weight'
(Image credit: Sims Hilditch)
'To create a balanced look when styling a bookcase, it is always best to put the biggest tomes lower down, and the smaller reads on the top,' says Lucy Searle, Homes & Gardens' Editor in Chief. 'And look for organic shaped vases to contrast against the vertical lines of the bookshelf.'
5. Apply color scheme rules to bookshelves, too
(Image credit: VSP Interiors)
Living room bookshelf ideas don’t need to be the focal point of your space, in fact, they can act as a neutral background to the rest of your scheme. If you’re a collector of classics then they won’t have brightly colored spines anyway and you can remove those with colorful jackets to reveal a neutral spine underneath more often than not.
6. Display your vinyl on bookshelves, too
(Image credit: Sofa.com)
Vinyl records also look great on bookshelves and popping in some singles amongst the albums varies the heights perfectly.
If you do have a key color in your scheme like the tangerine pieces shown here, add in a few pieces in the same color to tie in – a tangerine pot or vase or show off your Penguin classics that mostly have similar colored spines.
7. Style a bookcase with 'less is more' in mind
(Image credit: Kitesgrove)
A common bookshelf styling mistake is to jam all of your books and ornaments together – as many as can fit on each shelf. The old adage ‘less is more’ is key here, and if you have a beautiful color painted behind your bookcase then you want to see it, right?
8. Showcase accessories alongside books
(Image credit: Kagu Interiors)
We asked Ben Stokes, founder and interior designer at KAGU Interiors why styling bookcases with more than just books is key to a happy scheme:
‘The styling possibilities for a bookcase are endless, they can offer much more than just a place to store your books. Shelves are the perfect platform to showcase favorite decorative items and styling them can be an art in itself.
'Create balance by introducing trailing house plants, placing them up high, while adding in smaller succulents lower down. Finish the look with a set of statement bookends, displaying a curated collection of books and don’t forget – using a freestanding piece to divide an open plan area works well, it helps to zone the space while still making the room feel connected.’
9. Display books imaginatively
(Image credit: Ligne Roset)
Variety is the spice of life, yes? You don’t need to store your books horizontally – in fact, a mixture of the two makes for a much more interesting and stylish bookshelf. And we don’t mean tightly bunched together either – a couple of books gently leaning in on each other adds a more relaxed feel than a regimented look and it varies the heights. Horizontal books can have an ornament placed on them – a scented candle or a bud vase for example.
10. Showcase your bookshelf styling with color
(Image credit: James Merrell / Future)
'You can use your color scheme to create interest and draw attention to your bookcase styling.
Simply display colorful books against a dark background color so that they stand out,' says Homes & Gardens' deputy editor Jo Bailey.
How do you make a bookshelf look nice?
To make a bookshelf look nice you can use a number of techniques: first declutter the bookcase so that it isn't over-stuffed. Arrange the bookcase so that the largest, heaviest books are at the bottom; the smaller books at the top. Stack books on their sides, some on their ends, leaving space around them to create a neat display. Leave room for accessories to be displayed alongside your books, too. Display books by the colors of the spines, and paint the back of the bookcase a darker color, too, so that your bookcase styling is highlighted. These techniques are particularly important when looking for living room and bedroom bookshelf ideas, since both will create a chaotic feel if disordered, but will restore interest, character and texture if well-ordered.
How do you stage a bookcase like a pro?
To start staging a bookcase from scratch, the pros tend to empty it entirely then create groups of items that they want to go on the shelves by size or purpose.
Larger items – whether books, storage baskets or even pieces of art will go on the lower shelves, with visually lighter and smaller items being placed higher up. It is worth alternating the displays so that accessories sit above and below a row of books, rather than having books above books and accessories above accessories. This will create pace in your bookcase staging.
Sophie has been an interior stylist and journalist for over 20 years and has worked for many of the main interior magazines during that time, both in-house and as a freelancer. On the side, as well as being the News Editor for indie magazine, 91, she trained to be a florist in 2019 and launched The Prettiest Posy where she curates beautiful flowers for modern weddings and events. For H&G, she writes features about interior design – and is known for having an eye for a beautiful room.
10 Stylish Ways to Decorate Your Bookshelves
Books need special care, because if they are not properly cared for, they wear out quickly and lose their appearance.
But we believe that our readers honor traditions and take care of literature, so they do everything possible to preserve those publications that are stored on shelves, in cabinets or racks.
Books should be stored properly, not too close to open sunlight, but not in complete darkness. In the first case, the spines and covers quickly burn out, and the appearance of the books deteriorates irrevocably. You should also not place a collection of literature in a cramped and dark pantry, where, due to insufficient ventilation, novels and encyclopedias will be spoiled by mold or rodents. nine0003
Synchronous design
We suggest you paint the shelving or shelves that store your print collection in the main color of the walls. So, if the structure occupies, for example, most of the wall area, painting its shelves to match the walls will help to visually lighten the high rack and divert attention from such a massive object.
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Elements of nature
Decor made from natural materials is in tune with books, as we also get paper from green spaces.
Try complementing your bookshelves with items made from wood, metal, glass, or ceramics, arranging them between stacks of books and magazines, alternating between smaller and larger decor. nine0003
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Duet of white and gold
The noble luster of the metal goes well with the snow-white color. The idea of wrapping stacks of books in white paper covers will not only prolong their lifespan, but also help to decorate a bookcase or a bookcase in an original way. Add gold (or copper) decor to the snow-white tomes to complete the stylish look of the shelves.
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New Ways of Storage
We are accustomed to storing books on shelves, in solid cabinets behind glass or on hanging shelves. But one can imagine a different scenario, according to which the entire collection of literature safely finds shelter, for example, in a structure under the windowsill in the living room, bedroom, or even in the loggia. nine0003
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Luxurious frame
Carved natural wood bookcase with glass doors is a classic way to store books.
It's great if such an object is placed in a niche with an arched opening, or decorated with relief pilasters, or a classic pediment at its top.
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Color slots
The internal surfaces of the shelving dividers can be painted in different colors, such as those already present in the interior. Bookshelves will become an unusual accent of the whole environment, and will support the general mood and color scheme of the living space. nine0003
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Original design
For a modern home with a bright and unconventional style, even the bookshelves must be matched to match. Pay attention to bookcases and wall shelves with non-trivial design: vertical, rotating floor, wriggling or lining up in descending or ascending order.
Group by color
Books arranged on the shelves in a certain order, in accordance with a particular subject or age group, make it possible to quickly find the right copy.
But it will be even more effective to arrange publications by the colors of their spines, placing the “red” books separately from the “white” ones, and the “yellow” ones above the shelf with the “green” ones. nine0003
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Alternating with objects of art
On the shelves you can place not only books, but also valuable objects related to different areas of art. Paintings, figurines, ethnic masks and amulets - all these items bear the imprint of culture and create an elevated atmosphere in the home library area.
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Forming compositions
Reference books, dictionaries, historical novels and science fiction are the books that we love so much, and traditionally arrange them on the shelves always in the same way: pressing against each other and turning the roots in the direction of the one looking at the rack, so that it is easier to navigate in a large amount of literature. nine0003
However, there are other ways to arrange books, one of which we particularly like.
It is necessary to put them in low piles (one book on another) on one shelf, on the other, place them at an angle, and on the third - strictly vertically. So, the rack will look more dynamic, but still orderly, and if the grouped books are supplemented with decorative accessories or souvenirs brought from travel, the visual effect will double.
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8 decorator's tips - INMYROOM
Interior decor
How to turn a simple shelving unit into a stylish piece of decor? What and how to arrange on the bookshelves? Practical advice and examples of original shelving
The design of shelving or shelves is not so much an interior design as it is a decorating art - that is, in fact, something that we can do on our own in our free time.
Shelves should not be written off as purely functional. With a few tips and tricks, you can turn your shelves into a stylish piece of decor that reflects your passions and matches the style of your home.
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Where to start?
Here your imagination is only limited by the available items. Definitely not just about books.
Put on the shelves everything that makes sense to you: collections, travel souvenirs, photo frames, cups and awards, beautiful tableware and flower vases.
Limit the number of shades you use
Be careful not to make a mistake with the combination of shades - use no more than three colors. When decorating the rack, you can add another neutral (white, black, gray). Combine the color of the decor on the shelves with the color of other interior items. nine0003
Hide everything you don't need in boxes and baskets
Beautiful boxes, caskets and wicker baskets look neat and aesthetically pleasing. Remove small items, magazines, books, dishes that are not intended for display in them.
How to arrange decor and useful items?
1. Build triangles
Check out this shelving unit designed by a professional decorator.
Everything looks logical and harmonious. But how to achieve the same effect?
Visually connecting vintage jugs, white books, figurines, aged greenish bottles with lines, you will see triangles. Each item in this composition has its own clear position, which corresponds to the triangle rule. nine0003
Moreover, the triangles do not have to be the same and isosceles. Triangles of different shapes give the composition dynamics.
On each of these racks, if you look closely, you can see such triangles, due to which the composition looks balanced and logical.
2. Layering: use the height and depth of your shelf
All items on the shelf should be harmonious in height: if you want to put a low vase or small figurines on the shelf, put them on stacks of books. Thus, you seem to put them on a pedestal and draw attention to them. nine0003
If you are placing a low item on a shelf, place a book or photo frame behind it to balance the height of the composition.
