HOW TO STYLE A BOOKCASE LIKE A PRO - Tips & Tricks For The Perfect Shelfie.
Darling of the Interior Designer, the shelfie is having a moment, and we are styling our bookshelves like never before. No longer just a storage solution, the humble bookshelf has become a styling tool to show off our favorite books, trinkets, plants, and more.
We get it; it can be a little tricky to figure out where to start. We've got you covered. Our simple steps show you how to style a bookcase and easily change it up to keep things looking fresh. We give you helpful tips, decorating fundamentals, and must-haves for styling your bookshelves like a pro.
Clearing The Decks And Curated Collections
The first step is to clear everything off your bookshelves. Yep, everything! We know it feels a bit like Marie Kondo-ing your life but trust us, it's worth it. Now you can gather together your accessories. These styling elements will make the bookshelf design come to life and give it all of your personality and character. Your styling items can be anything that brings you joy and are personal to you and you.
Gather Your Accessories
Often this is a collection of items that tell a story and work well together. You could have a collection of travel memorabilia, vintage finds, picture frames, or a few books by your favorite authors. Showcase your pieces with these stylish decor items, either on their own or combined in an eclectic style to add texture and visual interest. Achieve a unique aesthetic by mixing different elements—you'll be able to produce something that truly stands out as uniquely yours!
Let’s Get Started - how to style a bookcase.
Whether you are decorating built-ins, floating shelves, or styling bookcases, these design principles hold true regardless of your space. From a living room bookshelf to finessing your home library, styling a shelf is easy once you know how.
START WITH THE LARGER ITEMS FIRST - create a foundation
For styling bookshelves that look chic and effortless, start by styling with the larger items first. These will be vases, storage boxes, baskets, or a large book collection. This provides a foundation or focal point to layer on your additional decorative accessories and favorite things.
PROPORTION AND SCALE MATTER - let them be seen
One of the most important things to consider when styling a bookshelf is the proportions of the items you use. For example, if you have large items, don’t put too many on one shelf, as it will look overdone and cluttered.
If you have other small things, you can group these and put more of them on the shelf. White space or negative space is your friend with bookshelf decor. Give your treasures room to breathe and be seen!
BRING IN ARTWORK - curate a collection
One of the most important things to consider when styling a bookshelf is the proportions of the items you use. For example, if you have large items, don’t put too many on the shelf as they look overdone and cluttered. If you have other small items, you can group these and put more of them on the shelf. White space or negative space is your friend with bookshelf decor. Give your treasures room to breathe and be seen!
VARY HEIGHTS - for visual interest
When you style a bookshelf, the key to success is to vary the heights of your pieces for an eye-catching display. Combining trinkets and books of different heights creates dynamic visual interest that will draw attention from all angles.
MIX UP BOOK PLACEMENT - horizontal stacks v vertical books
We love books, so this is one of our favorite shelf styling tips! Don't just dump all your books in the bookcase (we know that's tempting). Instead, try to display books in an intentional way. Mix up the orientation of the books to keep things interesting to help balance your shelf styling. If you're looking for a clean, modern approach to decorating bookshelves, here are a few ideas to organize shelves and store books for an effortless look.
Place some books horizontally and others vertically
Offset some books so that they are not flush with the edge of the shelf
For a quieter, more mono-chromatic look, turn the spines around (inwards) so the pages are facing out
Create a mini vignette by leaning some books against a sculpture or piece of artwork
Try stacking books horizontally by placing some books on top of each other
Create height by placing some books upright and others lying down
Use bookends to keep smaller books and collections neatly in place
Organize books by color. Monochrome for a calm and serene look, or mix it up and decorate shelves with contrasting colors for a more vibrant and energetic vibe.
INTRODUCE DECORATIVE OBJECTS - curated character
So this is where things have the potential to go a little sideways. When styling shelves, whether built-in bookshelves in your living room or office bookshelves, it can be tempting to go overboard with the knick-knacks and tchotchkes. We get it; those little things are cute! But more isn't always better when it comes to shelf styling.
A few well-placed, carefully curated accessories are all you need to take your shelves from meh to marvelous. Look for items that complement the colors and style of your room and bookshelf. And don't forget about functionality – things like catch-all trays or bowls can be stylish and practical.
An idea we adore is to display decor items that have a story or meaning to you. And that's what will make your styling unique and special. These could be decor pieces you’ve collected on your travels, coral and shells, or pods and leaves from nature walks; we could go on and on here. Treasured family heirlooms or the latest seasonal decor homewares like vases, bowls, and candles. Depending on your style, you could use almost anything as decorative accents.
PUT AN ITEM ON YOUR STACK - layer, layer, layer.
This one is a super easy styling technique but is a clever way to add layers to your shelves by placing items on top of stacks. For example, put small objects like a glass knot or coral on top if you have a few horizontal books. You can use this design idea anywhere in the house —in the bathroom, for example, lay a soap and body brush on top of folded towels.
DECORATE IN ODD NUMBERS - create a natural-looking arrangement
The rule of thumb in styling and design is to use odd numbers when displaying items. This rule of three creates a more natural-looking arrangement. So instead of styling your shelves with two or four things, go for an odd number like three or five. It's just one of those styling tricks designers always use! It doesn't have to be an odd number of everything, but a little Odd Number Magic will make your styling look more intentional and pulled together.
ADD GREENERY - bring the outdoors in
Yep, we are fans of bringing the outdoors in, and plants make any room feel fresh, and they look fabulous on shelves. It's easy to add more texture and dimension to your shelf styling. Choose a planter with a simple form and a neutral color that will complement your other items. Then select a plant that suits the light conditions in your room, and voila – you have instant shelf styling greatness! Bonus-style point for including a hanging plant!
CONSIDER ADDING A VASE IF THINGS - display a collection
You can add a little bit of yourself into your home décor, but one easy way is to fill a jar, bowl, or vase filled with an item that has special meaning to you. Display a collection of old family photos, vintage dice, or dried flowers in a gorgeous vessel, or use a cloche for a one-of-a-kind display. You can also change out the contents of the vase seasonally to add some holiday cheer.
ADD METALLIC ACCENTS - a little luster goes a long way
A few objects with a bit of luster or patina placed in a great spot can take your shelf design to the next level. You can mix metals but stick to all warm tones (gold, brass, copper, or rose gold) or all cold tones (silver and nickel). If your room has a lot of metal accents, then you might want to consider using just one or two pieces on your shelves to avoid an overly "matchy" look.
One Shelf At A Time
When styling shelves, it's best to take it one shelf at a time. That way, you can focus on creating a cohesive look. Begin by styling the lower shelves first, and then work your way up to the upper shelves.
Step back often to assess your work. And don't be afraid to make changes! Remember, styling is all about trial and error. So if something doesn't look right, simply move things around until you achieve the perfect look.
The most important thing to remember when styling shelves is that they should reflect your taste and style. Choose items that make you happy and that you love looking at. And don't be afraid to change things up – the great thing about shelf styling is that it's easy to switch out pieces whenever you feel like a refresh.
BORROW OUR STYLE - SHOP OUR SHELFIE MUST HAVES
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