Back to Basics: Styling a Bookshelf
Our essentials (and loads of inspiration) for stacking your shelves to impress.
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Part utilitarian masterpiece, part stylistic statement, bookshelvesare a purposeful blank canvas just waiting to be defined. Forget cluttered or purely decorative shelves—a balance of practicality and beauty is where this in-plain-sight storage thrives. See how to master the art of compromise between your newly gifted treasures, old favorites, and (of course) a healthy dose of tomes with our go-to styling secrets for your bookshelf.
1. Think Ahead
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A little forethought makes a huge impact on a bookshelf. We’re not talking formal, drawn-out plans, but rather quickly taking stock of the shelf space you have and all you hope to fill it with. A realistic starting point is key: If you begin with too many must-haves, your final result will be crammed and cluttered, so be discerning with your decisions.
Visual balance should always be top of mind as you place each piece—if stacked books adorn the top left corner, your next stack shouldn’t fall right underneath, but rather on the opposite side.
Tip! Designers love the rule of threes for a reason—clustering books and objects into grouping of three (or five, or really any odd number) makes the eye happy and the shelf thoughtful.
2. Banish Monotony
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Sure, instinct dictates to simply fill your books in, left to right, until the shelf is snugly packed—but then you’d be missing out on a prime opportunity to elevate style. Instead, vary up the orientation of how you place books as you go, stacking larger volumes from bottom to top.
Creating a mix between vertical and horizontal within the same shelf breaks up the monotonous lines and opens up space. Not only can you fit more on your shelves this way, but stacking also serves up a natural display spot for decorative objects.
Tip! Put volumes with display-worthy covers in full view—leaning them against the back of the bookshelf or propped up with a plate stand.
3. Layer Personally
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Despite its name, your bookshelf shouldn’t be purely designated for good reads. Weave your favorite finds—collected on travels, gifted for your wedding, or whatever makes you smile—into the shelves for a finished look that’s decidedly you two.
Perch decorative objects atop stacked books, or give certain pieces a prominent spot all their own on a shelf. Incorporating personal pieces throughout your bookshelf adds dimension and creates breathing room—space left unfilled—for a refined, uncluttered appearance.
Tip! Decorative boxes and trays are one of our favorite bookshelf additions, as they easily corral smaller objects and give you a place to stash needed (but not-so-pretty) items out of sight.
4. Frame Moments
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Artwork and personal photographs are the most intimate of touches that bring shelves to life. Cluster like frames together for a cohesive statement, or claim a spot between stacked books for a special, singular treatment.
Embrace creativity as you think about ways to display: Frames can also be mounted on the back of the bookshelf, or on the front at shelf joints. Placing frames front-and-center may be a nod to stately English libraries of centuries past, but has become a stately out-of-the-box way to display once more.
Tip! Don’t overlook the frames themselves—varying styles within the same color create subtle continuity without redundancy, while wide decorative frames are a standout in small doses.
5. Like-Worthy Touches
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For those hoping to capture a look that social media dreams are made of, think color or backdrop.
Arranging volumes by color groupings is a tried-and-true approach for a high impact finish. Embrace imperfection here, pairing like hues together as best you can—and don’t forget to peek behind book jackets, as many hide timelessly beautiful covers underneath. There’s no need to phase the colors in any particular order: Just group and place as you like, breaking up colorways between shelves or with decorative objects.
Overlooking the back of your bookshelf? This oft-forgotten spot is just asking for a little love. Introducing color, pattern, or texture behind your books quickly redefines the space and makes your display pop. You can’t go wrong with a coat of a saturated hue or understated wallpaper (too much can turn busy in a flash)—and we especially love the elegant rustic finish of beadboard.
Tip! Greenery is yet another bookshelf Insta-staple we love—from bud vases to small house plants to terrariums, a hint of nature offers a welcome, airy refresh.
Editors' Picks
PHOTOS (FROM TOP LEFT): CORY CONNOR DESIGNS | DECORIST | THE BRYNN OLSON GROUP LLC | J. PATRYCE DESIGN | DMAR INTERIORS | CHANGO & CO. | COMMON BOND DESIGN | DECOR AID | TERRACOTTA DESIGN BUILD | KMID | KMID | CHANGO & CO. | LL&A INTERIOR DESIGN | GINEVRA HELD INTERIOR DESIGN | CHANGO & CO. | VICTORIA ELIZABETH DESIGN
