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    Home » Home Decor And Tips

    How To Style A Bookshelf

    Published by Pam Kessler | 856 words. · About 5 minutes to read this article. - 3 Comments

    Since I had a number of people email me asking about how I decided what to put on my heftier-than-it-looks bookshelf and how I decided how to arrange it, I thought I'd throw together a quick set of steps I normally do when I decorate a shelf.

    And oddly enough, I didn't know I was going to write about this when I was taking the photos for my previous post, so I sort of un-decorated it and decorated it again so I could share some "process" photos.

    You are welcome!

    bookshelf styling tutorial

    Steps To Style A Bookshelf

    Start With A Blank Slate

    how to style a bookshelf

    Assuming you have had the bookshelf for a while, go ahead and clear off everything you have on it right now and set the stuff to the side. Yep, just pile it all on your coffee table or floor for right now. Neatness does not count.

    While the shelves are empty, give them a good dusting and waxing if needed, so you can start fresh and clean.

    And spider-free.

    It also gives you a chance to view your shelves without the distraction of the previous clutter.

    Decide On A Theme Or Color Scheme

    It's easiest if you have a color scheme or theme in mind, just something to start you off with so you can gather some like-minded pieces from around the house.

    Do you want to decorate for a holiday? Or a Season?

    Do you want to decorate in a style? French Farmhouse? Boho? Mid-century Modern?

    Any special color you want to feature?

    I wanted something with a vintage decor style with a nod toward spring. And I also wanted to use a few pieces of green as a focal color throughout the shelves.

    Place Key Pieces 1st

     

    arranging bookshelf decor in a triangle

    Place a few large, focal pieces on the shelves. I like to have at least 3 substantial pieces to decorate around.

    Stagger them by putting them on different shelves and on different sides of the bookcase. I try to go for a loose triangle look (one to the right, one to the left, one to the middle).

    If I remember my geometry correctly, the "loose" triangle is a scalene triangle.

    Add Some Secondary Filler Pieces

    using filler pieces on the bookcase

    Your secondary filler pieces are not meant to be focal points, but just little bits of interest. To take up space, but also be decorative.

    I added a few vintage baskets with a nice texture, a piece of artwork with birds on it and a wooden crayon box.

    Books Are So Versatile

    bookshelf styling

    I hate to say you should put books on a bookcase, but yeah . . . put books on a bookcase.

    Your books can be either stood up side by side in a traditional fashion or stacked on their sides to create "pedestals" to give height to other items.

    using books to style a bookshelf

    I think it's fun to go with a color scheme if you can.

    I went with a turquoise and green color scheme for books in varying shades, but you can easily just go with a bunch of books you have regardless of color.

    Or with books you enjoyed reading (go figure).

    And if you don't like the look of different colored books, you can turn the books around so the pages show and the spines of the books face the back of the bookcase. Boom, color problem solved.

    Seasonal Items

    vintage spring home decor

    Add in some light seasonal items. I didn't want my bookcase to shout "Hey, it's spring", so much as giving a suggestion of spring-ish-ness.

    Bird nests, bunnies, and ducks give the nod to spring I was looking for.

    You can certainly be bolder in your seasonal decor. Honestly, this year I just wasn't into being as festive as I normally would.

    Heck, I'm not sure what day it is right now.

    But if it makes you feel better go all out, girl!

    adding spring decor on the bookshelf
    Notice how I used some of the books as pedestals for the bunny planter and birds nest planter.

    Finish It Up

    At this point, I stood back and scanned the bookcase for empty areas that needed a little more help.

    I added in another bird (bottom, left) and some chalkware lambs (bottom, right), and the little print of bird eggs (middle of the middle shelf).

    I also added a small green pitcher to the bottom right to give a little more balance to the green color of the shelves. And also added a small round seagrass basket to that area to mimic the look of the baskets on the top shelf.

    how to style a bookshelf

    This is not a science, it involves a lot of trial and error.

    Stepping back and seeing what doesn't look right.

    Rearranging.

    Stepping back and rearranging again.

    Hopefully, my tips for arranging your bookshelf decor help you out. I am not an interior designer (as you can tell) or an expert, but I do love my vintage junk and love to play around with it!

    how to style a bookshelf

    Edited To Add: For Christmas this year I added some fun vintage holiday pieces!

    Vintage Christmas decor styled on a hutch.

    You can see the whole Christmas Home Tour HERE.

    Other Posts You May Enjoy:

    Upcycled Spring Home Decor Projects

    DIY Industrial Pipe Shelves

    Spring Decorating Farmhouse Style

     

    « New Bookshelf To Decorate For Spring
    Thrift Store Decor Bird Nest DIY »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Melinda Lickteig

      April 02, 2020 at 2:59 pm

      looks great!
      I think we all need a distraction right now and this is a
      great one.

      Be safe.

      M : )

      Reply
    2. laura

      April 02, 2020 at 4:19 pm

      I loved your comment about first world probs. My kids tell me that about 90% of the time when I am complaining! It's a good reminder! But, I love your bookshelf post! laura in Colorado. Stay healthy +connected,

      Reply
    3. Cheryl

      April 07, 2020 at 7:45 pm

      Enjoyed the post You do have a lot of neat vintage stuff!

      Reply

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