Tips and Ideas for Styling Bookshelves (And How to Keep Them from Looking Cluttered)

Something that was clear from my reader survey a few months ago is that while I show a lot of styled areas, I don’t necessarily explain as to how I “arrived” at the finished “moments”. I had requests for a lot of how-to’s and my method for styling areas like console tables and coffee tables but one space that showed up repeatedly was how I style my built-ins. So today, we’re gonna do just that. I’ve rounded up areas around my house over the last year and I’m gonna give some tips and ideas for styling bookshelves. 

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Tips and Ideas for Styling Bookshelves

Before you even look at your bookshelf, you’re gonna need to determine what you consider as the “purpose” of shelving in general. I say this because there are some people (you may be one) who 100% believe the only intended use of a bookshelf is to hold books. That’s it. I have seen bookshelf extremists actually become offended if they don’t see what they deem as “enough” books on a shelf (or Heaven forbid, they are turned backwards). If you are in this group of people, consider this your warning to head up to the “x” at the top of your screen and skip this post haha. Or, do you have a lot of special family moments you like to display? Special memories from travels? Do you view your bookshelves as an opportunity to create “art”? I fall in the latter category. You may too and you just don’t know it 😉 If you like the look of simplified, cohesive bookshelves but don’t think you can do it because you have too many “special things”, you totally can. You have have functional and pretty shelves. We’ll talk about how you can incorporate a lot of the sentimental items but look for other homes to display them, also. You don’t have to have every family photo piled on three shelves. Maybe think about creating a gallery wall. Or keep a select few and coordinate their frames.

Ok, so now that I’ve given fair warning, let’s jump into my method of designing my bookshelves. The built-ins in our great room probably see the most “action” and rotation throughout the seasons. I have had a lot of styling practice on these; when we first moved in, I filled them up, and then had to edit down. Because they frame the focal point of the room, I don’t want to make them look like a jumbled mess (or even too collected). Sometimes I carry a mirror image of items over to the opposite shelf, and other times, I just try to coordinate similar scales and styles. Here are some general tips to keep in mind.

Beautifully styled built-in bookshelves


SCROLL & TAP TO GET THE LOOK


1. First, take everything off your shelves. EVERYTHING. You want to start with a blank canvas. It’s easier to start from scratch without trying to work around what’s already in place. Plus, it will help you get a little more creative.

2. Decide on your “look”/color scheme and gather items of varying sizes. If you prefer to mix finishes/textures, that’s great! Just try to make sure each finish repeats itself somewhere else.

Styling bookshelves in the living room for fall

3. Group like items by size/scale

4. Start with placement of your heaviest items. I stagger weighted items throughout each shelf. Some may be in the center, some may be off-center, and some may be on the side (IF the other items on the shelf end up also being large-scale)

How to style pumpkins on bookshelves


SCROLL & TAP TO GET THE LOOK


5. Layer up and layer the depth but go easy on styling straight across (it’s ok to leave room on your shelves 😉 ) Just because they can hold more doesn’t mean they have to.

6. Instead of trying to style an entire shelf, try to create small vignettes within each shelf.

7. Use books horizontally and vertically. It’s ok for the vertical books to lean. Use them to boost smaller items/vignettes and use some objects as faux bookends.

Bookcase styling tips for fall

8. It’s OK to use books based on their spine color; it’s even ok to turn them backwards. (I realize a lot of these sound like permission haha- I suppose I am just trying to e-bunk myths along the way. No rules are the best rules!) Second hand/thrift stores are great places to look, plus, you can sometimes score super unique books that become conversation pieces. If you aren’t going for one spine color, group the same color spines together as you position your books throughout the shelves (white books together, a block of blue books together, etc.)

9. Work all sets of shelves simultaneously. If you have a pair of shelves, work on scaling them at the same time. If you work to get one set perfect, you may be disappointed that the second set only gets the leftovers with items that may be sized disproportionately.

Pumpkins on a bookshelf with styling ideas

10. If your shelves seem a little cold/too ceramic/not varied enough, look to nature (flowers, pinecones, moss, leaves branches, etc.)

11. If you have a really tall object and put something really short next to it, use books/a stand/stackable items to bridge some of the gap as though the smaller object is coming up to meet the tall object. This will make your vignettes into more of a triangle and less of an “L'” with uneven bare spots

Shades of Summer Home Tour with Neutrals and Naturals- White Built-In Shelf Stylying

12. Invest in pieces that can be used across seasons and be made to take on a new look with a slight update- boxes, lanterns, vases, etc.

13. If you are looking to create a monochromatic statement, don’t discount pieces you previously discarded. Have ceramic pieces in red? Spray paint them. The Dollar Store is a great place to hunt for inexpensive pieces too, if you plan to spray paint them.

Shades of Summer Home Tour with Neutrals and Naturals- shelf styling

Shades of Summer Home Tour with Neutrals and Naturals- Two story living room with coffered ceiling and stacked stone fireplace with builtins

14. If you have a difficult time making your shelves seem balanced, start with an identical heavy piece on top of each. Once you get used to the scale, it will be easier for you to identify other appropriate pieces throughout your house or when you’re shopping.

15. Resist the urge to fill big shelves with tiny knick knacks. If you do have special littles, gather them together in a tray or use something to corral them into one focal point. This will make them appear collectively as one unit instead of a bunch of scattered collectables.


SCROLL & TAP TO GET THE LOOK


16. If you are styling office/casual/super functional shelving, it can be pretty, too! Take measurements prior to shopping for bins and baskets and make sure to take them with you. Come up with a list of shelving storage necessities before you shop, also. This will help determine what kind of baskets and organizers you may need,

How to Hide Computer Cords with a Desk in the Center of the Room-how to style office built-ins

17. Treat yourself to some new supplies. You don’t have to use an ugly binder and put it on display, just because you already have it. Save that for a hidden drawer or make the decision to upgrade.

18. If you aren’t careful, supply shelves can quickly take a turn to looking more like an office supply closet. Stagger and group like items throughout to make your shelves look more intentional.

Shades of Summer Home Tour with Neutrals and Naturals- home office with built-ins and chandelier


SCROLL & TAP TO GET THE LOOK


19. Use other objects as you would on less functional shelves. Just because they’re in your office doesn’t mean that Staples is the only place you can shop for your pretties 😉

20. Upgrade your hardware. If you finish styling your shelves and think they may look too plain, take a look at your knobs/pulls. Those are super easy to update! I still need to in our great room 😉

 

Lastly, if you plan to take on a shelf styling overhaul, take a before photo so you can compare it to the after (and, I’d love to see your transformations!). My next shelving transition will be happening soon as I start to prepare for Christmas. You can subscribe to my emails at the bottom of this post to see all the festive Christmas-y things ahead!

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14 Comments

  1. 11.7.17
    Tracey / @porchdaydreamer said:

    Awesome post Kelley! Great tips. I was just FaceTiming with my mom doing a bookshelf and she helped me “edit down”. As always, you’re the best at what you do!

    • 11.7.17

      Tracey, THANK YOU! Moms are the best for things like that and I love that y’all had a FaceTime date! ONE MORE WEEK! I hope you’re getting there 😉

  2. 11.7.17
    Gretchen Thomas (Nan) said:

    These are all such superb tips! I know I have too many things on my shelves… definitely need your help!

    • 11.7.17

      Nan, your shelves are well loved- I could learn a thing or two from you 😉

  3. 11.7.17
    Robyn said:

    Thanks for the great tips, Kelly. If I can get my husband to remove enough books to give me some to work with, I will use them. ?

  4. 11.7.17
    Michelle said:

    Love this post! What would you say is your type of style through out your house or when you are looking to style certain areas in your home?

  5. 11.8.17
    Joni King said:

    Awesome arrangements Kelley Nan! Thanks for some really great ideas!
    Hugs!

  6. 11.8.17
    Jen said:

    I love the way you’ve styled your shelves! Would you mind sharing what size your West Elm Accordion vase is please? I can’t tell if it’s the small or the medium and I like the way yours looks on the shelf. Thanks!

  7. 11.8.17
    Carol Heartfelt Whimsies said:

    This post is extremely helpful and great at explaining styling techniques!!

  8. 1.14.19
    Tami said:

    Love love love how you stacked the pinecones in the bowl in the first pic. It drew me in and made me want to look closer.

  9. 11.9.20
    Janey said:

    This is so hard for me to get done! We have 2 built in’s with cabinets on EACH side of our fireplace. There’s so much shelf space AND the countertop is a perpetual catch all. Grrr.

    • 11.11.20

      Hi Janey, Thank you so much for stopping by! I totally understand your issue with the tops becoming catch alls. That struggle can be so real. I hope this helps!