How To Decorate a Bookshelf: 9 Designer-Approved Styling Tips

Decorating a bookshelf is more than just filling empty spaces with books and knick-knacks; it’s about crafting a visual story and enhancing the overall aesthetic of a room. I’ve spent years tweaking and perfecting the art of shelf styling, turning it into a refined process that reflects personal style while maintaining functionality. Here’s how I approach decorating bookshelves, complete with formulas and practical tips to transform your shelves from mere storage to a stylish showcase.

Getting to Know Your Shelf Space

Before you start, take a good look at your bookshelf and the room it’s in. Think about the colors around it and how much light hits the shelves. This will help you decide what looks best where. It’s like setting the stage before the actors come on.

Laying the Foundation with Books

Start with the books since they’re the main act on any bookshelf. Place most of your books on the lower shelves to anchor your setup with stability. Mix up how you stack them—some vertically and some horizontally. Horizontal stacks are great for placing small trinkets or plants on top, giving you layers and making everything look more interesting.

Adding a Personal Touch

Your shelf should show off a bit of who you are. Sprinkle personal items like photos from your travels or handmade crafts among the books. These pieces make your bookshelf unique and can be great conversation starters. To keep things looking neat, pull everything to the front of the shelves so they catch more light and are easier to see.

Creating Visual Appeal

Here’s a fun part—mixing different heights and textures. Place taller items like a vase or a plant next to smaller, unique objects like an ornate decorative bowl or a stack of sleek coasters. This variety keeps the eye moving and makes the shelf look lively.

Filling the Gaps

If your bookshelf doesn’t reach all the way to the walls, or there are gaps that make it look a bit disconnected, try matching the wall color or using a similar wallpaper behind the shelf. This creates a seamless look, almost like a built-in unit.

Choosing What to Display

Be choosy about what you put on your shelves. Not everything needs to be on display at once. Rotate items in and out with the seasons or as your mood changes. This not only keeps the decor fresh but also gives you a chance to clean and rearrange things without clutter.

Adding Doors for Clutter Control

Consider putting doors on some sections of your shelves. This can hide the clutter and gives your shelf a cleaner, more polished look. Doors are also great for storing items you don’t need to access all the time but still want to keep handy.

Highlighting with Art and Light

If there’s space above your bookshelf, hang a large painting or several smaller pieces to draw the eye up. Also, adding soft lighting can really make your shelf pop and give your room a warm glow.

Fine-Tuning Your Arrangement

Stand back and look at your shelf from different angles. This helps you spot areas that might look too crowded or too bare. It’s all about finding the right balance so that everything feels just right.

Decorating your bookshelf is like painting a picture. Each object adds a stroke of color, a dash of texture, or a burst of personality. With these tips, you can turn any ordinary bookshelf into a stunning display that tells your story and enhances your home.