3 quick tips for styling a bookshelf
Unless you have a designated library space, it is typically not “designer” to use bookshelves for strictly books. Due to the fact that a bookshelf is usually the piece of furniture that drawers your eyes up, it is easily noticed and needs thoughtful styling.
Play with the books!
2. Shop your home!
3. use variety!
Play with the books
Like I said before, long gone are the days when bookshelves are only used for books. However, that doesn’t mean you CAN’T use books. In fact, you SHOULD use books, just not ONLY books.
When you do use books, have fun with them. Maybe you take the cover off of hardback books to display the more classic-looking binding. Maybe you stand 3 books up on one shelf, but lay a stack of 4 books down on the shelf below. Maybe you mix colors and sizes or maybe you place similar books together. As long as you don’t repeat whatever layout you choose on consecutive shelves, you will get a curated, high-end look!
** if you want to go the monochromatic route with your books, booksbythefoot.com sells books by color**
2. shop your home
One of the best things about shelf styling is that you truly do not NEED to buy anything new. I guarantee you have items you can use currently in your home. Some of my favorite home goods to use are: small plants, baskets, photos, candles, and vases.
Sometimes the home goods that you use need to be set in threes, and sometimes they can stand alone. That will all depend on your items. Typically large items can stand strong on their own - think vases, picture frames, etc. But, as the design world typically goes, it really is up to you. Sometimes there is nothing more dramatic than a small item standing alone and drawing in your eye.
When in doubt, throw some stuff on the shelves and then take a photo. If you like the way the shelf looks in the photo - then keep it just like it is. Interior design has a lot of tips, but there truly are no rules. At the end of the day, do whatever makes you happy!
3. use variety
There are 2 main ways to incorporate variety into your shelves that have an immediate impact on your shelves: 1. use a variety of old and new and 2. use a variety of colors/textures.
Design tends to fall flat and feel lifeless when everything looks the same (we will talk a lot about this when we talk mixing metals).
Ways to incorporate “old” in your styling: vintage vase, classic book, framed old artwork or image
Ways to incorporate “new” in your styling: frames with clean lines, glossy vases, plants
Ways to incorporate color in your styling: plants (fake or real, if you find good fake plants no one will ever be able to tell and they never die), bright colored photo, multiple color book binding
Ways to incorporate texture in your styling: vases, baskets, linen books
Hopefully you find these tips helpful! Tag me on instagram to show me how you use them in your home!!
