While bookshelves are designed to keep your favorite reads organized and on display, they’re also a great way to show off your personality and sense of style. Whether you’re an avid reader of library books or just have a small collection, there are plenty of ways to make your shelves more than just useful. From a piece of pottery you picked up on a family vacation to eclectic vintage treasures, these designer-recommended shelving ideas will give you plenty of inspiration and make your shelves look more complete.
Arrange the books by color
There are many ways to organize your books, whether you arrange them alphabetically or group them by genre. For a little more pop, try grouping bundles by color. “Sometimes what I do is arrange ties by color, which can be very effective,” says Amanda Reynal, interior designer and owner of Amanda Reynal Interiors. “If there are three books with pink bindings and three books with green bindings, I place different stacks of colored bindings around the shelves and it helps create consistency for the eye and a sense of organization.”
Add wallpaper
Another fun way to play shelves? Try the wallpaper. Consider adding a fun print or pattern to the back of your built-ins. Include a color that’s in your current design scheme or pops up somewhere else in the room, like a piece of furniture or artwork, to help tie the room together, says Reynal.
Curate Decor by Theme
When choosing objects to display, consider arranging by theme or collection. “Maybe you have a collection of picture frames in different sizes that are related to each other,” says Reynal. “It could be a collection of travel objects, whether it’s sculptures or vases – it’s really nice to try to find some consistency.”
Style With Larger Objects
Libraries are also a great place for larger items, especially if you don’t have room to display them on an end or coffee table. Place lamps on a lower shelf to add a personal touch, then fill the rest of the space with slightly larger items like vases or ceramics, says Reynal.
Find harmony between books and souvenirs
It’s important to find the right balance between books and subjects—not just one or the other, says Reynal. “Decorative items can look a bit contrived if you have some nice things on the shelves but not a lot of books,” she says. “If you have too many books, it can get a bit cluttered and feel claustrophobic and sometimes a bit disorganized. I think it’s important to be very deliberate about how you style your bookcases that you use.” a combination of both.”
