There is an art to styling bookcases - it isn’t just a haphazard collection of books shoved in any old way. It takes balance, depth, and visual interest to get that perfectly styled look. To keep your shelves in lovely form, here are 5 of my best styling tips.

1. Don’t Forget Books

This may seem obvious, but it is a bookshelf, not a Pottery Barn display case. Keep your mix interesting with both books and unique objects. And think about the types of books you’re displaying - hard covers look better than paperbacks, for example. Showing the spine also allows people to get a glimpse of your personality and what you like to read.

2. Use Negative Space

Keep the blank space at the rear of the bookcase in mind. Rather than bookshelves literally groaning with the weight of a million books, think about a mixed shelf of books and objects that keep the negative space in mind. That includes repetitions of groups of bold and varying height objects. A little breathing room is essential for the well-styled bookshelf.

3. Go Monochrome

In the shelves above, I kept the look very monochrome, with serene shades of cream and gray. It’s the perfect calming backdrop for this living room, and it highlights the shape and scale of each shelf.

4. Create Layers

Style your bookcase with your favorite accessories and books, but try placing ceramics in front of books, or objets in front of framed drawings. Just remember not to let things get too crowded or overdone. Creating a layer of great items on your shelves will create depth and dimension and gives you that “professional touch.”

5. Showcase a Collection

In the client’s space above, we used the shelves to showcase a gorgeous pottery collection. This has the dual benefit of letting each piece shine, and keeping them up and away from little hands in a family room. And also note the wallpaper on the back wall of the shelves. That’s another great way to highlight the items on the shelves and add more visual interest.

Try these tips to take your shelves from blah to beautiful!

All the best,

Kara