How to Style your Bookshelves like a Design Pro

To style your bookshelves and built-ins like a design pro, follow these straightforward steps.

Decorating and styling a bookshelf is a wonderful way to showcase your personality and interests while adding charm to your space. Here are some creative and practical tips to help you transform your built-ins or bookshelf into a stunning focal point in your room.

Declutter and Organize

Start by completely clearing off your shelves and create a blank canvas to work with. This is an opportunity to declutter and only keep the books and items that bring you joy or serve a purpose. Any books or pieces you don’t plan on incorporating back in can be donated to a local nonprofit organization. Group your books by genre, color, or size to create a cohesive look.

Add Personal Touches

Incorporate personal items such as framed photos (use a matted frame for an elevated look), travel souvenirs, or sentimental objects to make your bookshelf feel more personalized and inviting.

Mix Books and Decor

Arrange books both vertically and horizontally to add visual interest. Intersperse your book collection with decorative items like vases, plants, or small sculptures to break up the monotony. You can enhance the appearance by removing the book jackets.

Play with Heights

Create visual appeal by varying the heights of the items on your bookshelf. Use bookends, decorative boxes, vases, or small trinkets to add height and dimension. Smaller matted and framed art pieces add interest, as well. Place larger items first to anchor the shelf and build from there! When arranging items, keep in mind the "rule of three" to achieve a harmonious and natural appearance. Objects grouped in threes tend to create a more visually appealing look. Odd numbers challenge our minds and provide increased visual interest. Avoid duplicating shelves; instead, aim to match the scale of groupings while maintaining variety.

Use of Color

Choose a color palette for your bookshelf decor to create a cohesive and harmonious look. Mix and match colors that complement each other to tie the whole display together, but try to limit yourself to a maximum of 3 colors. If your shelves have a dark tone, consider adding lighter pieces to create contrast. Conversely, if the built-ins are painted white, you can incorporate bolder or darker colors for accentuation. For a pop of color and fun you can paint the back of the shelf a different color or use peel and still paper.

Consider Lighting

If your bookshelf is in a dimly lit area, consider adding small LED lights or a table lamp to illuminate your display and create a cozy ambiance. Many options are battery operated these days, so you don’t need to have an outlet to plug into.

Embrace Negative Space

Don't overcrowd your bookshelf. Embrace some negative space to allow your items to breathe and to prevent the display from looking cluttered. 

Rotate Items Seasonally

Keep your bookshelf fresh and interesting by rotating items seasonally. Swap out decor pieces, add seasonal touches, or showcase holiday-themed items to keep your display dynamic.

By following these tips and adding your personal flair, you can create a beautifully styled bookshelf that reflects your style and interests. Have fun experimenting and let your creativity shine!

And of course, we at Bluebird Design Co. can help style any space in your home with our customizable design services. Contact us for any of your decorating needs!

Happy styling!