How to style bookshelves

A successful scheme will require you to know how to make a bookcase look elegant and not a distraction. Our experts can help you display your books in a way that is pleasing to both the eye and keeps them safe.

You may be looking for a bookshelf design to enhance your collection. These items’ material, layout, and shape are critical to your display. Remember to include your most treasured keepsakes. A bookshelf can be used to hold memories.

How to Style a Bookcase

These rules will help you style your bookshelf, whether you’re looking for reading nooks, larger home library designs, or beautiful book storage options.

These are not organizational tips. They are more aesthetic. If you are a fan of color, you might display your favorite brightly colored books. Or, you could turn your readers so that you don’t see spines.

Include space for display in addition to books

If creating a home library, be aware that bookcases can get too cluttered. Don’t worry about books being too numerous. Books are often beloved and not used as props. If you do, however, make sure that some regions of the bookshelves are not used for reading and that they are devoted to displaying or displaying a few key pieces that represent the style of your space. Emma Thomas, Homes & Gardens’ interior designer, says that this is a good idea.

Work Niches Into Your Bookshelf Design

It is worth planning the layout of your bookshelves with in mind how you want to style them. This is especially useful in spaces where the bookshelf is the main focal point or the most exciting element, such as at the end of a hallway. It is also one of the characteristic home office ideas that you should include in your home study. The bookcase is set against a metallic background with larger, more prominent niches that can be used to display artwork.

Display books stacked in piles

You can create a bookcase by stacking coffee table books in piles – it works best visually. If you do this, leave enough space between each bank to look more planned and organized than chaotic and accidental. You could organize them by subject matter or group similar colors to keep them looking spacious and stylish.

Display Books by ‘Weight

According to Lucy Searle Homes & Gardens’ Editor-in-Chief, ‘To achieve a balanced look when styling a bookshelf, placing the enormous tomes lower than the upper shelves is best. More little books should be placed on the top. Look for organic-shaped vases that contrast with the vertical lines of your bookshelf.

Use Color Scheme Rules for Bookshelves

Living room bookshelf designs do not have to be the center of your space. They can serve as a background for the rest of the scheme. If you are a collector of classics, they will not have brightly colored spines. You can also remove vibrant-colored jackets to show a neutral spine underneath.

You can also display your vinyl on bookshelves.

The bookshelves look great with vinyl records. You can also add singles to the album collection. To tie the scheme together, you can add a few pieces of the same color as the tangerine pieces. Or show off your Penguin classics with similar spine colors.

Style a Bookcase with ‘Less Is More in Mind

It is a common mistake to stuff all your ornaments and books together on a bookshelf. This is where the old saying “less is more” is crucial. If you have beautiful colors behind your bookcase, then you should be able to see it.

Add Showcase Accessories to Books

We asked Ben Stokes (opens in new window) why styling bookcases are so crucial for a happy scheme.

A bookcase can be used to display many different styles. You can display your favorite decorative items on shelves. It’s easy to make them look great.

You can create balance by using trailing house plants. Place them higher than the rest and add smaller succulents to the lower part. A set of statement bookends will complete the look. They can be used to display a carefully selected collection of books.

Display Books Imaginatively

You know that variety is the best thing about life. Books don’t have to be stored horizontally. In fact, you can mix the two to create a more interesting and stylish bookshelf. We don’t mean to put books together tightly. A few books leaning in towards each other creates a relaxed look that is more appealing than a uniform appearance and also allows for varying heights. You can place an ornament on horizontal books, such as a bud vase or a scented candle.

Display Your Bookshelf Style With Color

You can create interest by using your color scheme to draw attention to your bookcase styling. Jo Bailey, the deputy editor at Homes & Gardens, says that colorful books should be displayed against a dark background to make them stand out.

How can you make a bookshelf look nice?

There are many ways to make your bookshelf look great. First, clear out the clutter. The largest and most heavy books should be at the bottom of the bookcase. Smaller books should go at the top. To create a tidy display, stack books on their sides and some on their ends. You can also display accessories alongside your books. You can display books according to the color of their spines. Also, you can paint the back of your bookcase darker so that the design of your bookcase is more prominent. These are important techniques when searching for bedroom and living room bookshelf ideas. While both can create chaos if they are not arranged properly, they will bring back interest, character, and texture.

How do you stage a bookcase like a pro?

The pros will empty the bookcase completely before creating groups of items according to size or purpose. Larger items, such as books, storage baskets, or art pieces, will be placed on the lower shelves. Smaller items, however, will be placed higher up. You can alternate the display so accessories are placed above and below books. This will give your bookcase staging a pace.