Bookshelf Styling 101
Are your bookshelves an eyesore? Check out these 8 tips from Domestic CEO that will help you make your bookshelves stylish, chic, and functional.
Pietro Bellini // Flickr
Bookshelves are a piece of furniture that can be both a blessing and a curse. The blessing portion, of course, is that you can store a lot of stuff on your bookshelves. The curse? If your bookshelf is so crammed full of your belongings, it just looks like a giant mess and quite frankly, it becomes a big eyesore in the room. Today I have 8 tips for utilizing this fantastic storage piece without sacrificing style. Within just a few hours, you can transform your messy shelves into design-savvy works of art!> The first order of business is to remove everything from your bookshelves. Sort items into piles of similar things. When I cleared out my bookshelf, I wound up with groups of books, personal pictures, collectibles (mine are figurines), storage boxes, candles, and other small knick-knacks. As I did my sorting, there were a few books and other things that I decided didn't need to be saved anymore. You may want to do the same thing. Either move those items to a different room or, if you no longer want them, donate them to your local thrift store. Now comes the fun part - restocking and styling your bookshelves. I'll give you 8 tips and ideas so you can personalize your shelves. Select and implement the ideas you like and toss out the rest. If it looks good to you, do it!
distelfliege // Flickr
Tip Decorate the Shelves Use wallpaper, craft paper, contact paper, or paint to breathe new life into a tired, old bookshelf. If you're looking for a quick refresh, try papering just the back wall of the shelves. Use all the same paper or mix and match some coordinating craft papers for an interesting design. You can also add a pop of color by painting the back shelf wall.
Stewart Butterfield // Flickr
Tip Keep the Books Simple Don't load shelves with books only. Divide your books in one of three ways: by size, by color, or by subject. It's totally up to you! Next, take a portion of those books and fill half a shelf with books stacked vertically (like in a library). Then take a few more books and stack them horizontally; right next to the vertical group so this smaller stack serves as a sort of bookend. Depending how many books you are storing, you may be able to do this on a number of shelves. Mix it up! Put only horizontal stacks of books on a few shelves and some vertical groupings on another. Be sure to leave room for the little bits and pieces of decor that we'll use to finish the styling.
www.ProFlowers.com // Flickr
Tip Add Artwork Small artwork adds an eye-catching detail to bookshelves. Whether your art is framed or not, leaning it against the back of the shelf will add another dimension to the design. If you don't have any special art, try painting a few empty frames with an eye-popping color and then propping them in the back. This adds a young, playful feel to what could be just some boring old bookshelves.
RITVIK CHAURASIYA // Flickr
Tip Use Photo Frames Personal photos in various frames add a wonderful hominess and personality to your shelves. Some people like all the frames to match; others like a more eclectic look, with frames of various style, color, shape, and feel. Again, choose what speaks to you. If the thought of mismatched frames makes your head spin, go for the other option. Remember, if you have lots of different frames and they don't match, spray paint is a great option. Rather than spending money on all new frames, purchase a can of spray paint in a color you like that works with your decor. Spray your existing frames and you've got a new, coordinated look!
yoppy // Flickr
Tip Store with Baskets Stylish baskets and boxes provide great storage options for all that little stuff that needs to be on the shelf but doesn't need to be seen. I store our CD collection in some trendy boxes I purchased at Ikea. By adding some vintage-looking, hand-written labels, these boxes have been transformed from utilitarian storage to beautiful decor. Placing one of these storage pieces next to a stack of books makes your shelf more eye-appealing and original.
ds4832 // Flickr
Tip Display Your Collections Do you have an interesting collection? Your bookshelf is the perfect place to highlight your treasured items. Grouping things together creates a better visual appearance. I recommend displaying items in odd number groupings; usually 3 or 5. This tactic attracts the eye so much better than displaying just a single item. If you have a collection of small things like beach glass or old wooden spools, think about filling a large glass vase or some old mason jars with your collectibles. This gives more visual weight to those little items. Place that vase or jar next to books as a bookend or top off a small stack of books with that treasure-filled container.
Nini Violette // Flickr
Tip Add Accents Finishing your shelf styling with a few knick-knacks or tchotchkes is one of the final personalization steps to your bookshelf styling. That small, jeweled box you received from Aunt Mildred can get lost on a shelf by itself, but when it's added to the top of a small stack of books, it suddenly holds center stage. Add belongings that pull at your heart strings and stir up memories of people and places. Even draping a beloved old necklace over a frame of grandma suddenly adds interest and evokes memories. Go ahead - use your imagination to see what you can come up with!
m kasahara // Flickr
Tip Look for Quirky Adding something whimsical is always a fun finishing touch. I love to hunt through thrift stores for unlikely items. Have you ever looked at the big assortment of interesting figurines at the thrift store? Sometimes I love the lines and shape of one of those odd birds or modern sculptures, but the garish colors are just plain hideous. Again, spray paint is your friend! Painting that ugly figure in one solid color gives it a new life. I love using a glossy finish paint for projects like this. If you have color phobia and are afraid to choose a bold color for your walls or sofa, this little project gives you the freedom to add that pop of color without a giant commitment!
romanlily // Flickr
Remember, styling your shelves doesn't have to be a scary project. Just follow my tips and you'll find your inner design diva!
Until next time, I'm the Domestic CEO, helping you love your home. Originally posted here: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/house-home/interior-design/bookshelf-styling-101
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Stacking books on their sides will cause the bindings to break and that wear can cause binding cracks and pages 'loosened'. I suppose if you are using books for decor only (and as a decorator, I have) you can pile them however you wish. But treat those you love and plan to keep with care.
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This is totally off - subject but I'm not sure how wise to get this info out. I cut my finger and it bled all over my favorite shirt. I finally remembered that my mom had told me that hydrogen peroxide will rinse the stain out. It might take a couple doses, especially if it died first but does work well.
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