7 Tips to Style Your Bookshelves Like a Pro

As an interior designer who serves lots of busy professionals, I've seen many homeowners grapple with how to make their homes feel put together while also being reflective of their unique personalities. 

Sometimes, they struggle with where to begin. Other times, they’ve invested in some incredible, high-quality furniture that looks beautiful but it’s just not enough to make their rooms feel complete. 

If this second scenario sounds like you, one way to quickly infuse more personality and cohesiveness into your home is to style your bookshelves. 

Bookshelves are an ideal place to showcase not only books, but photos, keepsakes, and other decorative accessories that reflect your personal taste. Also, styled shelves instantly elevate a space.

Here are some tips to help you style your bookshelves like a pro.

Tip 1: Take Inventory of What You Have

Before you start styling, it's important to take inventory of what you’ve already got. Group your items by size: large, medium, small, and tall. 

Keeping scale and proportion in mind, “you want to make sure your decorative accessories and books vary in size and height,” as I shared with the Washington Post. If everything is the same size, it’s just not as interesting.

If you already have a good mixture of items, amazing! You may be able to style your bookshelves using only your current books and accessories. However, if everything you’ve taken inventory of is roughly the same height and size, it’s time to bring in new elements.

Tip 2: Use the Rule of Thirds

The Rule of Thirds is a design principle that helps create balance and visual interest. It involves dividing your bookshelf into three sections, both horizontally and vertically. You can imagine a grid of nine equal rectangles superimposed over your bookshelf, with the lines dividing it into thirds.

Placing your largest items in the outer sections and your smallest items in the center section makes the shelf feel balanced while also drawing the eye to the center of the shelf. This focal point anchors the eye and gives the viewer a place to rest.

When placing items on your bookshelves, consider the visual weight of each item. Large, heavy items like sculptures or picture frames have more visual weight than small, lightweight items like candles or bookends. Placing a large item in the center of your bookshelf can create a feeling of imbalance while placing it in one of the outer sections creates a sense of stability.

The Rule of Thirds is a useful guideline to follow when styling your bookshelves, but it's also not a hard and fast rule. You can adjust the placement of items as needed to create a look that feels balanced and cohesive to you. The key is to use the Rule of Thirds as a starting point and then adjust from there based on your own personal taste and style.

Tip 3: Mix and Match

When everything on your shelf is made of similar items, they tend to all blur together. By mixing and matching different textures and materials, you add visual interest to your bookshelves.

You could pair a shiny ceramic vase with a matte bookend or a wooden figurine with a metallic picture frame. By mixing and matching, you create a layered look that adds depth and dimension to your bookshelf.

Also, remember that you don’t have to keep all of the books on your bookshelves grouped in one space. I suggest spreading them out between other accessories of various textures and materials.

Tip 4: Use Color 

Don’t be afraid to embrace some color in your bookshelves! This can instantly make a more neutral room stand out and let the playful, fun aspects of your personality shine. 

Also, using accessories in coordinating or contrasting colors really pulls the shelves (and your entire room) together.

BONUS TIP: You can also pull in these colors in small ways throughout your room with items like throw pillows, candles, or lamps.

Tip 5: Don't Forget About Negative Space

Negative space is the empty or blank space around and between the objects on your bookshelf. It's an essential element of design and can be used to effectively create contrast.

When it comes to bookshelf styling, negative space is just as important as the objects you place on the shelf. It can help break up the visual clutter and give your eye a place to rest. Leaving some negative space between your objects can also create a sense of airiness and openness, making your bookshelf feel less crowded.

To create negative space on your bookshelf, try grouping objects together in clusters rather than spreading them out evenly. 

Ultimately, the key to using negative space effectively is to strike a balance between filled and empty space. Too much negative space can make your bookshelf feel sparse, while too little can make it feel excessive. Experiment with different arrangements and try to find a balance that feels right to you.

Tip 6: Add Some Greenery

Adding a plant or two to your bookshelf is a great way to bring life and more color into the space. 

You could use a small potted plant or a vase with some fresh flowers. Just be sure to choose a plant that will thrive in the amount of light your bookshelf receives. Alternatively, you could choose to add artificial plants and flowers to the space.

Tip 7: Bring In the Pros

If you're still feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of styling your bookshelf or pulling together your rooms in general, consider working with a professional. 

Our decorative styling service can help bring your home to life without having to replace any major pieces of furniture. 

With this high-touch service, our team will provide an in-home assessment, a décor color palette for future reference, and done-for-you shopping to select accessories suitable for your space. We'll then schedule a Styling Day to professionally style your space with your new decorative elements.

Our Decorative Styling Service is for you if:

• You already have high-quality furniture in great condition but still don’t have a cohesive look yet.

• Your home needs a refresh but not a permanent change.

• You find accessory shopping overwhelming.

• You’ve made accessory purchases only to get them home and find that they don’t work well at all.

• You want a professional to take care of the shopping and styling for you.

If you're ready to take your home to the next level, schedule a complimentary introductory call with our team today. We can help you create a space that reflects your unique personality and style without all the stress and overwhelm.