8 Tricks for Killer Bookshelf Styling

Design Inspiration & How to Get the Look at Home
August 12, 2015
Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye
Filed Under > Living

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There’s no denying it: a well-styled bookshelf, whether big or small, is one of those defining design factors that evokes major room envy. Your bookshelf styling can be an easy extension of your interests and personality, and there are no rules or limits to how you customize yours. My favorite bookshelves are the ones full of souvenirs from past adventures, favorite books (even the ones with cracked spines!), and conversation-starting statement pieces. 

The possibilities are virtually endless when styling your shelves. You can read beautiful bookshelf styling ideas and find inspiration galore on Pinterest. It can be as simple as color-coding small stacks of books to artfully showcasing accents collected over the years. It can involve pristine order and uniform stacks, or a strategic variety of favorite reads and random knick knacks.  No matter how expansive your home library is, your bookshelf can tell any story you wish to share. 

Click through the slideshow above for a handful of breathtaking bookshelves, and catch the eight tricks to styling your shelves at home. Cheers, Kat

SHOP THE STORY / CLICK LEFT & RIGHT ARROWS TO EXPLORE

 

 

SHOW OFF YOUR COLLECTION

SHOW OFF YOUR COLLECTION

HAVE A LOT OF BOOKS AT HOME? DON'T BE SHY WITH THAT COLLECTION; INSTEAD SHOW IT OFF WITH A WALL-TO-WALL BOOKSHELF. ALLOW THE BOOKSHELF TO TELL A STORY OF YOUR INTERESTS, YOUR TRAVELS, YOUR PASSIONS & YOUR DREAMS.

SHOP THE LOOK:




VIA MY DOMAINE
INCLUDE STANDOUT PIECES

INCLUDE STANDOUT PIECES

A WALL-TO-WALL WONDER ISN'T ALWAYS IN THE CARDS. IF NOT, STYLE A SMALLER SHELF BY ADDING STANDOUT PIECES SUCH AS A PLANT, STATEMENT ART, A UNIQUE LAMP OR ITEMS TIED TO A GREAT STORY FROM YOUR PAST.

SHOP THE LOOK:




VIA FRENCH BY DESIGN
USE IT AS AN EXTENSION OF DESIGN

USE IT AS AN EXTENSION OF DESIGN

THE BOOKSHELF CAN TRULY SERVE AS AN EXTENSION OF THE ROOM'S DESIGN IF CONSIDERED AS SUCH. INCORPORATE BOOKS AND ACCENT PIECES THAT FURTHER THE ROOM'S VIBE. BOOKENDS CAN BE USED BOTH AS A PAIR, BUT ALSO SEPARATE FOR A LESS-PREDICTABLE LOOK.

SHOP THE LOOK:




VIA MY DOMAINE, BY ERIN SWIFT
VARY THE STACKS

VARY THE STACKS

BREAK UP THE SHELVES BY VARYING HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL STACKS.

DON'T LIMIT YOURSELF TO ONLY USING BOOKENDS EITHER; INCORPORATE ACCENTS, JARS, VASES AND HORIZONTALLY-STACKED BOOKS TO HELP SPACE OUT ITEMS ON THE SHELVES.

SHOP THE LOOK:




VIA MY DOMAINE, BY JULIA LYNN. DESIGNED BY ANGIE HRANOWSKY
CREATE A COLOR SCHEME

CREATE A COLOR SCHEME

VINTAGE, LEATHER-BOUND BOOKS AND BRASS ACCENTS PAIR PERFECTLY TO CREATE A COHESIVE COLOR SCHEME ON THE SHELVES AGAINST THE RICH, BLUE PAINT COLOR.

ONE KINGS LANE HAS A WONDERFUL SELECTION OF VINTAGE BOOKS IN COUNTLESS COLOR SCHEMES.

SHOP THE LOOK:




VIA TRADITIONAL HOME, DESIGNED BY DANA GOODMAN INTERIORS
USE DECORATIVE BOXES & INTERESTING OBJECTS

USE DECORATIVE BOXES & INTERESTING OBJECTS

A SET OF DECORATIVE BOXES CAN HELP KEEP YOU ORGANIZED IN A STYLISH WAY. INTERESTING OBJECTS, SUCH AS SMALL SCULPTURES AND PLANTS, ARE A GREAT WAY TO ADD HEIGHT AND TEXTURE TO YOUR SHELVES.

SHOP THE LOOK:




VIA TUMBLR, GLITTER GUIDE
ADD FRAMED ART

ADD FRAMED ART

LAYERING FRAMED ART CAN BE A GREAT WAY TO ADD INTEREST TO A PREVIOUSLY-TAME BOOKSHELF. ATTACH FRAMES TO THE VERTICALS OF THE BOOKSHELVES, AND CONSIDER STICKING TO THE SAME STYLE FRAMES, THEMED ART SUBJECTS AND SIMILAR SIZES TO KEEP THE LOOK COHESIVE.

SHOP THE LOOK:




VIA ELLE DECOR, BY ALYSSA ROSENHECK
KEEP IT TIDY

KEEP IT TIDY

IN THE SAME WAY VARIETY COMPLETES THE DESIGN, A VERY UNIFORM LOOK TO STACKS HELPS BRING SOME ORDER TO THE BOOKSHELF. GROUP SIMILAR SIZES AND STYLES TOGETHER TO CREATE SPACE THAT'S INCREDIBLY EASY ON THE EYE.

SHOP THE LOOK:




VIA APARTMENT THERAPY, BY ANNIXEN
ADDITIONAL CREDITS:

Featured image, Rustic White for Waiting on Martha – “One Room Challenge, The Big Office Reveal“

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  • 204 Park / 08.12.2015

    Ugh SO much good design inspo here! I’m constantly re-arranging my bookshelves trying to get them just right, it’s a never ending process! haha XO, Diana

  • Stephaine / 08.12.2015

    Great post, always looking for new ways to update my bookshelves.
    Thanks, Stephaine

  • Kat Neunaber / 08.19.2015

    Thanks so much! xo

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