How to Decorate a Bookshelf: 10 Simple Formulas That Work!

Before we get to my ten formulas, I want to share a few basic principles of shelf styling. (1) Instead of lining up a series of objects along your shelves, think in terms of groupings. For most standard length shelves, you’ll have two groupings of accessories. For example, on the shelf below, the books + decorative owl make up one grouping and the plant + frame + star pod make up a second:

And with that, let’s get going with my formulas for how to decorate a bookshelf, starting with several that I used when decorating these shelves in our family room (you can see more details on this room in my recent post on mounting a TV above our fireplace):

Sources: Wallpaper  |  Oak shelves (Nature finish) | Large faux coral (similar)  |   White bubble planter  |  Fern art  |  Star pod  |  White candlesticks  |  White square frame (8.3″ x 8.3″) |  Burlwood frame (11″ x 13″)  |  Elephant bookend  | Decorative black & white box  |  Coral “topper” (similar)  |  Bust planter  |  Round basket

1. Tall Plant + Framed Print + Short Object

Formula #1 involves grouping three objects of varying heights, including a tall plant in a decorative planter, a framed print or photo, and a third accessory that’s shorter than the plant and frame. The objects at the ends should overlap the edges of the frame. You don’t necessarily need to use a horizontally oriented frame – you can use a vertically oriented or square frame too. What’s important is that none of the three objects are exactly the same height. Here’s that formula in action:

2. Books Standing Up + Books Lying Down + Topper

This is one of my simplest shelf styling formulas for how to decorate a bookshelf and one that I use all the time. You simply stand several books upright on the end of your shelf in order of height, stack two books laying down right next to them, and add a small decorative accessory on top. I call these accessories “toppers” because they’re perfect for placing on top of books and decorative boxes, both on shelves and when styling coffee tables too.

Any small object can work as a topper (your child’s latest clay art creation, a small framed photo, a small decorative bowl, etc., as long as it’s shorter than the shortest book standing up and narrower than the narrowest book lying down. I couldn’t resist the darling woven owl for my topper – so cute!

3. Candlesticks + Small Square Frame + Larger Rectangular Frame

It’s always nice to incorporate some family photos into the mix, and formula #3 is perfect for that! Layer a pair of candlesticks, a square frame, and a rectangular frame. You can tweak the sizing of the frames as long as the smaller frame is at least a few inches shorter than the larger one. On our shelves, I used a 11″ x 13″ burlwood frame and a white 8.3″ x 8.3″ square frame:

4. Books with Decorative Bookend

You can’t get any simpler than this formula that includes several books arranged by size plus a decorative bookend. The key is to have fun with the bookend by choosing something unique instead of a boring, basic one. I used vintage brass animal bookends on my shelves, but you can use just about any decorative accessory that’s the right height and heavy enough to support the books.

It’s a great opportunity to add something meaningful to you or your family. For example, I love horseback riding and have used my old stirrups as bookends before.

5. Decorative Box + Topper + Tall Accessory

Formula #5 is a no-fail favorite that you can use with a variety of different objects for an endless number of looks. It involves placing a low “topper” on a decorative box (or you can substitute a stack of books for the box) with a tall accessory next to it. That accessory can be a sculpture, a ceramic jar, a tall vase, or, in my case, a bust planter with faux florals:

Now let’s move on to the other bookcase in our family room to share a couple of more formulas:

Sources: Large handled vase (medium size)  |  Cane wrapped vase  | 12″ Square white wood frame  |  Coral  |  Brass pig bookend  |  Fluted white bowl  |  Faux succulents  |  Wood knot  | Wood trimmed box – no longer available  |  White ginger jar (similar) |  Stacked boxes  |   Landscape art  |  Blue planter – no longer available

6. Books + Filled Bowl

A filled decorative bowl next to a series of books is another super simple formula for how to decorate a bookshelf. I used faux succulents in a fluted white bowl on my shelves:

but you could use any type of bowl (wood, metal, etc.) and get creative with your filler. Ceramic or moss balls, pinecones, shells, faux flowers… just about anything can work!

7. Stacked Boxes

A group of 2-3 stacked boxes not only looks great as shelf decor, but it can be useful storage space too! You can mix and match your boxes or use boxes with the same design but different sizes, such as I did:

8. Single Standalone Item

Don’t underestimate the power of a single standalone accessory, and don’t be afraid to leave some empty space! If your shelves aren’t very wide, or you have a situation like mine where there’s an arch over the top shelf, a single sizable accessory can do the trick. I used a large white handled vase on the top shelf of one of my bookcases and a large piece of coral on the other:

9. Tall Object + Round Tray or Basket + Short Object

If you have a round tray or shallow basket that you’d like to include in your shelf decor, this formula for how to decorate a bookshelf is for you! Start with a round tray, mirror, or shallow basket (such as one of {these}). It should be the tallest of the three objects in this grouping (if it’s not, placing it on a stack of two books does the trick!). On one side, add a plant or other tall object that’s slightly shorter in height than your round piece. On the other side, add a decorative object that’s the shortest of the three.

10. Plant + Tall Vertical Frame + Smaller Horizontal Frame

Formula #10 for how to decorate a bookshelf is perfect when you have a lot of height above your shelf. It includes a plant and a framed horizontal print or photo layered over a taller vertically framed print or photo in the center. It’s a great way to bring some favorite art pieces into your space, such as these that I used on our family room shelves in our previous home:

You can tweak the frame sizes that you use to choose ones that best fit for your space, but just as a point of reference, in my bookcase the center frame is 18.5″ x 24.5″ and the smaller horizontal frame is 15″ x 12″.

By using all ten formulas (or just picking the ones that work for you), you’ll have all of your shelves decorated in no time!

Room Sources: Rug  |  Rattan chair  |  Tripod lamp  |  Block print pillow  |  Sectional (similar) |  Acrylic coffee table (similar)  |  Coffee table tray  |  Bookcase wallpaper  |  Cabinet pulls  |  Oak shelves  | All bookshelf accessories are linked earlier in this post

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What other helpful decorating formulas would you like to see? Table centerpiece formulas? Entryway console decorating formulas? Let me know!

XO,