Styling a bookcase is one of the last steps in creating a beautiful interior, but it can take some work to get it right. For some, styling comes naturally, but for others, it can be a real head-scratcher.
Here are my 5 secrets to styling a bookcase, so you can easily create a beautiful bookcase to finish your room.
Bookcases can be more than just for books. They can be a great way to show some of you more treasured items and be a space to show your own personality and make sure that your home reflects you and your family. But it can be difficult to take it from a plain bookcase to a focal point within a room. I will break it down here into easy-to-follow steps so you can style a wonderful bookcase that perfectly finishes your room.
Styling a bookcase
Finding your styling pieces
To get started, you need to think about what you will display. It is always good to stick to a colour scheme, as this will make the overall bookcase look more cohesive. Make sure you have a selection of various shapes and sizes. You probably have a lot lying around your house, so you don’t need to rush out to buy more! I suggest having some pieces that are statement pieces and having others that are plainer. These will fill the gaps without taking away from the pieces you want to show off.
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Art and photos
Art and photos are a great place to start when finding pieces to style a bookshelf with. They can bring some instant personality to a bookshelf, so make sure you choose images representing you. Now is also an excellent time to consider the colour palette you want for your bookshelf. This will help determine the frame you choose for your art/photos. Remember the shelves’ height, as only some art pieces will fit on a bookshelf. If you want to use a piece of art, it is better to use a landscape format, as this will impact the shelf more. Family photos will work better in a portrait format, as they can be placed in groups without overwhelming the shelf.
Best places to buy beautiful frames
Vases, Bowls and Pottery
Vases, bowls, pottery, and plates are all great pieces to use when styling a bookshelf. Collect pieces that will work with the colour scheme you have decided on. It can also be a great idea to collect pieces as you travel. This will give the pieces more meaning, reminding you of the places you have been. Look for ones with different finishes and textures to add interest to the bookcase. Make sure you have a range of sizes; a large vase can sit on its own, while a smaller bowl can be stacked on a pile of books.
Best places to buy decorative pottery
Baskets
Larger pieces on shelves will help balance out your design, but this doesn’t mean that those shelves will become redundant. Baskets are an excellent way to add variety to the shelves while incorporating storage into your design. They could be placed on lower shelves for children’s toys so they can easily reach them or on a higher shelf to keep collections together. If you want a more formal style for your bookcase, linen-covered boxes can be a great way to incorporate storage stylishly.
Best places to buy stylish storage
Books
The obvious thing to put on a bookshelf would be books, but you can use them within your design. The books will need to be sorted into colours, as this will help you stick to your chosen colour palette and keep the whole bookcase looking cohesive. Another option is to place the books the wrong way round. This is annoying for the books’ use but will mean that the book covers don’t disrupt the colour scheme of the bookshelf. A leather-bound book is always a classic look for a bookshelf, giving your bookcase a feeling of history even if the books are new.
Best place to buy decorative books
Plants and flowers
Plants are always good to include within your home as they can lift the room’s mood and make it look like someone cares about the space. Succulents are a good idea for someone who has yet to get the best track record for keeping plants alive! Trailing plants are also an excellent choice for bookshelves as they can add some texture. If your bookcase has little natural light, faux or dried flowers may be the way to go, as you will still get the same effect.
Best place to buy easy-to-look-after flowers
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Ornament and sculptures
This category is where you can show your personality the most. It could be something you have collected while travelling abroad or a piece passed down from family. Whatever it is, it will tell your story, so it is important to showcase it. Another way to choose ornaments is to pick something you are drawn to. This could be an artistic sculpture or a beautiful ornament that brings a smile to your face.
Best place to buy decorative sculptures
5 Steps to styling a bookcase
Now to the good stuff! What do you do with all the lovely pieces you have just picked?
Step 1 to styling a bookcase
Think about splitting your bookcase into three sections vertically. You should try not to put similar items in the same third and ensure that all of your pieces that add colour are spread out evenly through the thirds.
Step 2 to styling a bookcase
Start with your key pieces. This may be the more oversized items, such as baskets or plants. It could also be the items you have a more personal connection to, such as photos and ornaments. Place these on the shelves, work within the three sections we spoke about before, and avoid putting two pieces directly above each other. It is okay if some shelves are still empty at this point.
Step 3 to styling a bookcase
Next, we need to fill in some of the gaps. 3-4 pieces per shelf should be the maximum. It is also okay to have just one piece on a shelf if it works well by itself. The pieces you should be using now will be the pottery or books that won’t take away from your key pieces.
Step 4 to styling a bookcase
Now we will need to look at varying the height of the displays. This step is key to creating a bookcase that works well overall. If everything is the same height, then it will all blend together. Piles of books are a great way to help raise a smaller piece to give it a different height.
Step 5 to styling a bookcase
The last step is to add some finishing touches. Plants are an excellent way of adding some life to a bookcase. Still, it could be easily achieved with more miniature pottery or ornaments.
This post has been all about styling a bookcase. This formula will work wherever the bookcase is within your home kitchen, living room or bedroom; the only thing that will change is the pieces you are using.
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