Maybe you are not using your shelves for books (no judgement, I have Netflix too), but there are some definite tricks and tips for a well-styled bookshelf. Some people go ham on their bookshelves and use them as a hoarders paradise. Avoid this trap, bring order and incorporate your style on your shelves.
Best practices for styling bookshelves are as follows:
Avoid Book Overload: Sometimes too many books can look haphazard and unorganized (like we get it, you read) and when all stacked together they blend and appear to be a deep shade of brown. As an avid bookworm myself, I am attached to my books (YOU KNOW those Harry Potter books are front and center in my house…AmIRight) BUT get organized.
Fun book styling tricks:
- Position: Turn your books spine facing in to display pages out for a rustic look and a nice touch for industrial and transitional styles as well.
- Color: If you love your spines like me, color code! Go rainbow or choose book colors that match your palette. If you like neutrals go with all your white or black books.
- Placement: Make sure to clump only small groups of books together and distribute them evenly if you have a lot shelving space.
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Add Incognito Storage: Baskets, bins and stylish boxes will help you cover shelf space but allow you to indulge your OCD. A perfect place for remotes (now you know where it is), extra batteries and even your guilty pleasure magazines, use patterned catchalls or fun boxes to stow things away and incorporate color. This especially goes for us apartment dwellers: now you know where to stash away your winter sweaters. Shelves are the best way to use your vertical space and create additional storage as stylishly as possible.
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Incorporate Metallic Touches: Now this could totally be just my general rule of thumb, but who doesn’t love some shiny objects on a shelf. And remember, light fixtures are an easy was to add metallic flourishes and serve the dual purpose of lighting as well as shelf brackets. Personally, I like unique gold objects (these live on my shelves and probably come alive at night).
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Line Your Bookshelves: A good Sunday afternoon or rainy day DIY activity, lining your bookshelves is pretty easy. Choose some fun wallpaper (or even use fabric) and go crazy. This in no way looks cheesy, but adds a chic touch and is a unique opportunity to bring in some fun and funky patterns.
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Strategic Lighting: A detail often overlooked, the whole presence of a room depends on its lighting. AND it is actually not expensive as you would think, check these overhead lights out.
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A Carefully, Crafted Palette: This is an obvious one, but it is worth a mention. Be choosy with the decor and books you display and conscious of your accent colors. Incorporate objects as gentle nods to your chosen color palette. OR go the other way and find objects in neutral colors like whites and tans which works well on lined bookshelves and in painted rooms.
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Hopefully that gets your wheels turning. Stay saucy,
Jenn
