Styling Your Bookshelves

Contributed by Barb Cook, Interior Designer & The Hive Overland Park Member

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You just installed a new set of floating shelves, purchased a new bookcase or you are looking at some bookshelves you already have and are asking yourself “How can I make these look like my personal designer styled them for me.” 

With a few tips and tricks, your bookshelves, mantle or any other flat surface (think coffee table, counter top or credenza) can have the polished, put together look you are longing for. You may be thinking of a theme - sports, nautical, vacation finds or meaningful items that are a curated collection over time. Don’t be afraid to add the element of surprise; some texture, various shapes, a nod to nature in the form of weathered wood from a beach vacation, a textured piece of pottery or a piece of art. Or, you may be shopping for new items to go with what you already have. Before you make your purchase, be sure to take a measurement of the height and width of the shelves to ensure a good fit and snap a photo of your shelves as a reminder of the area you are styling. Then, take a small tape measure with you to the store to ensure the new items you find will be the perfect fit. Let’s get started styling your bookshelves.

Your goal in styling a bookshelf or any horizontal space in your home is to reflect your personal design aesthetic. Resist the temptation to copy something you see in the store. You might think it is the easy way out, but does it really reflect your personality?  If you have an existing set of bookshelves, remove everything from the shelves and look around your home and gather any favorite items you want to incorporate that are hidden in a cabinet or tabletop elsewhere and don’t forget about the top of your piece of furniture! It’s a great place to add something that will enhance your style with some added height to add a little drama.

Additionally, decide if you want a formal symmetrical look or if you want a relaxed, more casual style. My personal rule is less is more. Be sure to allow some negative space between single items or between a group of items as a place to rest your eye and to avoid a cluttered look. Don’t fill up your shelves completely! As you begin, think about how you will create a rhythm for your eye to travel across the shelf and down to the next while at the same time achieving balance on each shelf or the horizontal surface you are styling. Mixing in a little greenery adds softness, color and texture.

If you want a more modern look, consider grouping the same objects such as a ceramic bowl on a large coffee table book across from each other, or the same object(s) placed diagonally across from each shelf to create balance and rhythm.  Here are some examples from Restoration Hardware.

If your bookshelves have an open back like an etagere, your background will be the wall color that it sets against. The same principle follows- something that contrasts so your pieces will stand out. Another way to style this piece of furniture would be to center items together on each shelf.

In this photo, books were covered in linen dust covers to blend in and create a monochromatic look instead of a bold contrast. Light objects stand out on the ebony coffee table.

When styling your dining table, sometimes a single object is all that is needed to make a statement.

Adding contrasting colors (light against dark, the opposite, or a complementary color) can create dimension and interest and unify the space. This can be achieved in a number of ways; a light frame or picture with a light-colored mat against a darker wood background, light colored ceramic objects, and books with the book spline against the back of the shelve exposing light-colored pages set facing forward (be sure to remove the dust jackets and store them elsewhere) against a dark wood as in the photo.  

When working with metals, coordinate with other metals in the room such as a lamp or light fixture, cabinet hardware or other metallic items. Get curious about how you could vary vertical and horizontal groupings. Work with odd numbers to add interest to groupings or group like items to add emphasis and don’t forget to vary heights!  To soften the edges, use round items like woven bowls, candles and woven boxes. 

When styling with books only, there are a few ways that create that cohesive look and some added interest. Books can be stacked vertically with a horizontal stack with an object on top to serve as a bookend. They can be grouped both horizontally and vertically together to create a pattern. Books can be organized by the color of the book or the book spine can be turned toward the back of the cabinet revealing the ivory pages and creating a contrast between the book and the background. Grouping books by size will create a more uniform look or pattern.

I hope these visuals and guidelines have inspired you and given you the confidence to try something new as you create your personal space that is uniquely you.

Next Month… Let’s get serious about hanging those pictures, art and  objects!