Bookshelves can be a blessing and a curse. They provide storage in any room, yet if you overload them, they can feel cluttered and oppressive. Whether you have a vintage glass etagere or sleek wood shelves built around your fireplace, you want to make them the perfect balance of form and function. These tips from our design experts can help you understand the principles of shelf styling and how to put shelving ideas into practice in your home.
Think Outside the Book
Bookshelves are pretty self-explanatory; they hold stacks of books. However, unless you have a home library, you may not want to fill your shelves with every tome in your collection. Leave space on your floating bookshelves or cabinet to display other items that are meaningful or visually appealing. Without a few openings for different accents, like plants, vases or photos, your bookshelves may not have the impact you want.
Go Bare
It isn’t easy to tell how much room you have to work with if it’s already filled with books and collectibles. Start with a clean slate to get a better sense of how much space you have. And yes, we do mean taking everything off your shelves. Next, gather the items you want to include, such as some of your book collection, vases, baskets, unusual décor accents, plants, and framed prints. Knowing the dimensions of your shelving gives you a better sense of what to pare down and what to include.
Change Directions
People usually stack books vertically, but what if you use horizontal stacks instead? Creating piles of books can provide an unexpected presentation, but keep it intentional. Otherwise, you risk your shelves looking haphazard, sloppy and cluttered. When stacking your books, start with a few larger books on the bottom and place thinner, smaller books on top, almost like a pyramid.
Pare It Down
Book and display shelving needs enough space to let each accent have its moment. Your eye doesn’t know where to look with too much stuff. Go with the adage that less is more, and make an effort to declutter your shelving. If you want to use your bookshelves to store mail, loose photos, or a small collection of shells, consider a pretty trinket box, basket or other intriguing storage solution that doesn’t detract from the overall look.
Create a Masterpiece
Whether you have a stunning mid-century shelving unit, an antique curio cabinet heirloom or a minimalist open shelving system, you want it to stand out and make a statement. After all, you didn’t search online and flea markets for five years to find the right shelf, only to weigh it down with too many books and knick-knacks. Think of your bookshelf as a focal point in your room, and how you style it can make it really pop or fade into the background.
Keep It Colorful
Consider sticking to a color scheme with your books or accents, especially if your room needs a little life. Imagine wood shelves against a stark white wall, filled with a jumble of book jackets that feel random. Now, imagine that same bookshelf with books organized by color, or, even more distinctive, all the same color. It may sound out of left field, but a monochromatic stack of books may have more pizzazz than a less thoughtful arrangement. If you want to stick to neutrals, turn your books around so the spine is against the wall or back of the shelf and the pale page edges face the room.
Invite Some Friends
Who said bookshelves are just for books? What about your collection of vinyl or CDs? Old records can come to the party, too, as long as your shelves can support the extra weight and they fit in the space. As with your books, don’t overdo it with too many records, or you risk crossing the line from eclectic to overwhelming.
Look at Proportions
When you are ready to start arranging your glass, metal or wood shelves, think about the weight and size of your books and other items. Some interior designers prefer to stack large books on the top shelf, put baskets on the bottom, and leave the eye-level shelves in the middle for organic shapes and various textures that plants, candles and vases. Others like to load the bottom shelves with big volumes of books for better balance.
Cause a Scene
If styling a big bookshelf feels challenging, try breaking up your arrangement by shelf or section with two or three vignettes. This approach feels less intimidating, especially if you are still getting the hang of interior design or defining your style. Curate small clusters of items, perhaps a few books, an old candlestick, and a potted succulent, to see how they play together. Then, move to the next shelf and repeat until you like the results.
Embrace the Change
Display shelving does not have to be a one-and-done design element. Rotate your accents seasonally or make room for holiday decorations by storing your everyday items. Trends, like seasons, also come and go, so what appeals to you today may not be your jam a few years from now. By rearranging your shelves or switching accessories, you can freshen a room that feels a little stale.
Hopefully, these shelving ideas can get your creative juices flowing and inspire you to try your hand at display shelf styling. If you need ideas or more inspiration, browse for wood shelves, etageres and accents at Chairish. Our site is the perfect place to find your newest treasure to complete your bookshelf design or redecorate any room in your home.
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Lead photo design by Douglas C. Wright / Photo by Richard Powers
