In this post: Struggling with how to decorate a bookshelf? I’m sharing my simple tried and true formulas for adding bookshelf decor that works!
Our home is pretty limited on closet and storage space, but we’ve got LOTS of built-in bookcases so I was basically forced to figure out how to decorate shelves and bookcases to keep those rooms from looking bare and boring. And I’ve made it super easy for you to do too by sharing six simple formulas that you can use to jump-start your shelf decorating. So if you’ve got some bare shelves that have been bugging you, hopefully you’ll find the inspiration and know-how to finally decorate those babies up! Let’s head on into the family room first… (post includes affiliate links – full disclosure statement available {here})
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Most of you have been following my blog long enough that you’ve seen this space many times before but if you’re here for the first time, you can check out more pics of it and get a better idea of the layout of the two bookcases in the room {here}. Whoever designed this bookcase made it pretty easy on me because they broke the shelves up in a way that the shelving space on both the left and right sides is perfect for housing a single decorative accessory so for those it was one and done:
The middle shelves aren’t quite as simple but I figured out a few no-fail formulas as takeaways for you to use:
#1. Books + bookend next to filled bowl
Choose 5-8 books (you can bring some color into your space by choosing ones with spines in your favorite colors or by wrapping them in a favorite fabric or you can keep things neutral by turning the books around so the pages show instead of the spines) and add a decorative bookend. My favorite online source for unique bookends is Etsy {here}. Place a bowl next to it (it doesn’t have to be wood – it can be metal, woven, etc.) and fill it with something decorative. These are a few of my favorites:
I threw in a bunch of faux cabbages that I had laying around after using them on my fall fireplace mantel but you could also use decorative ceramic balls, faux flowers, shells…. just about anything!
#2. Leaning books + ball shaped accessory next to vase on books/box
Lean a few books (starting with one or two that are fairly tall) against the end of the bookcase and put some type of ball shaped accessory next to it such as my oyster shell ball (you can find a similar one {here}). The rope whatchamacallit on the bottom right of my bookcase would have worked well in that spot too! Next to it, place a either a shallow box or two stacked books and put a medium sized vase (mine was a HomeGoods find!) on top.
#3. Tray or art print in middle + tall accessory on left + low accessory on right
Start with a sizable shallow round tray (mine was a thrift store find but {this one} is similar) or an art print or mirror (it doesn’t have to be round – square or rectangular would work fine too). Ideally you want something fairly tall but you can always cheat like I did and put a few books under it to add height. Add a tall accessory such as a plant on one side (this is my FAVORITE plant – it’s a type of snake plant and it survives even the worst neglect!) and an accessory that’s fairly low in height on the other. I used {this dried star pod} – it’s kinda weird but I kinda love it and have used it on my fireplace mantel too! I have another example of this formula on our other bookcase too – let’s head that way…
Can you guess which shelf it is? Yep, the middle shelf on the left – there’s a center art print (mine is similar to {this} Let’s Stay Home printable) with a small plant on one side and a large accessory (like {this candelabra} that’s similar to mine) on the other:
And there are two other simple formulas you can steal from this second bookcase:
#4.Tall, thin accessory + smaller accessory next to framed print
Start with a tall, thin accessory such as a vase (mine is a HomeGoods find!) and add a small accessory in front and a bit to the side. Place a framed photo, art print, or a mirror next to it. In choosing your accessories, the important thing is to have some variety in height (my vase is closer in height to my framed photo than I’d actually like – having a several inch difference is best!).
#5. Large accessory next to decorative box + small accent piece on top
Start with a large accessory – it can be a sculpture like mine, a bust, a ceramic horse head…. pretty much anything! Then next to it, place either a horizontal stack of a few books or a decorative box (such as {this black & white striped box that I have}) and then add a small accent piece (such as {this small piece of coral} on top of the box.
Now we’re going to head on into our home office but before we go did you notice that the top middle shelf = formula #1?! It’s definitely a formula that works because I didn’t even realize I had decorated two shelves the same basic way until writing up this post 🙂
I’ve shown our home office on the blog and Instagram many times before but usually I’m sharing pics of our gallery wall that’s on the other side of the room. Today we’re turning the camera round to the big ole built-in bookcase:
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A chunk of the shelving space is already taken up by a TV and two speakers and the area above the desk has little wood cubbies that I filled with {these IKEA KVARNVIK boxes} but there was still plenty of shelving in need of some styling:
I came up with two more shelf styling formulas you can use as take-aways to style your own shelves:
#6. Books + vase (or similar) as bookend + long, narrow basket
Start with a few upright books on the end of the shelf and then use a vase or other decorative accessory as a bookend. Anything that’s the right height and heavy enough to support the books will work so it’s a great spot for something unique and/or meaningful – for ex., I love horseback riding and have used my old saddle stirrups as bookends before. Here are a few vases I love that would work:
Next to it, add a long, narrow basket that you can put books in, fill with something decorative, or use as storage for office supplies, etc. (mine has some of my zillion fabric samples in it). Having more variation in the height of everything (i.e. taller books and a shorter vase) than my shelf does would look better – do what I say, not what I do – ha!
#7. Upright books + horizontal books + small decorative object
This is one of my simplest shelf styling formulas and one I use all of the time (including on the shelf above the TV in this bookcase). You simply stand about 4-6 books upright on the end, then lay 1-2 books down right next to them and put a small decorative accessory on top. I LOVE white coral and have several pieces of it so am using that on top of the book but it can be anything including sentimental pieces like those big ole ceramic pieces that kids make in art class and you don’t know what to do with! Place whatever you want next to this little arrangement on the shelf – I layered a piece of plaid artwork that my youngest daughter made plus a brass pig that feeds my weird love for brass animals.
Update! I’ve started decorating our shelves in our new house – you might get a few new ideas from these too:
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Tips & Ideas for What to Put on Your Shelves
I hope you guys found those formulas to be helpful – I’m a girl who likes to spell it all out! To wrap things up, I wanted to share a few final tips and suggestions to keep in mind when you’re decorating your shelves:
- Odd numbers typically work best – you’ll notice that most of my formulas involve doing things in 3’s
- Keep things interesting with lots of different textures (like chunky baskets, coral, etc.) and finishes (different metals, colors, etc.)
- Don’t be afraid to leave some empty space! My large jug on the bottom shelf in our family room is all alone on a shelf that’s a couple feet long but it works!
- Show your personality, interests, etc. Shelves are a great place to put family photos, keepsakes, or anything that makes you smile. They can be filled with books too but don’t have to be. Whenever I share a pic of our bookcases on Instagram, at least one person says “bookshelves should be for books”. Nope. They should be for whatever you want them to be – it’s your home so do what you love!
- Stagger the heights of your objects (but you guys already picked up this tip earlier, right?!)
- If you don’t have enough light to keep plants alive on your shelves, go with faux! There are some great ones out there:
- Dress up your bookcase by lining the back of your shelves with wallpaper! I used {this grasscloth wallpaper} on my shelves in the family room.
Phew… are you still with me?! Drop a comment and let me know if you have any questions or if I just confused the heck out of you! If you have questions about where anything on my shelves is from I have a FULL SOURCE LIST at the end of the post that details paint colors and where everything is from. Want more inspiration for decorating your shelves? Check out the shelf styling tips and ideas that my friends from Project Design have to share!
Mary Ann at Classic Casual Home
Cindy at Rough Luxe
Annie at Most Lovely Things
Sherry at Design Indulgence
XO,
FAMILY ROOM
Paint color: Walls & Trim in Benjamin Moore Cloud White | Furniture & Lighting: Slipcovered sectional (fabric is Basket Natural) – same manufacturer and similar style to {this sectional} | Acrylic coffee table (similar)| Chandelier (satin bronze) | Glass desk lamp base (large) | Pillows & Throws: Gray and white floral lumbar pillow, Confetti pillow (cream with black dots) | Large chunky white pillow with fringe ends | Cream pillow with tassel ends | Gray & white plaid throw (similar) | Rug: Honeycomb ivory/grey wool rug | Shades: The Shade Store – Robert Allen Fabric in Perfect Stripe (Earth) | Coffee table accessories: Tray (28″ x 28″) | Brass cranes | Shallow shagreen box under glass vase – no longer available | Book: Elements of Style | Book: The Collected Home | Book: Emily Henderson Styled | Book: Dogs | Bookcases: Grasscloth lining the back of the bookcases | Right Bookcase (1st one shown in post): Tall white coral, gray woven lantern, glass vase with woven string and beads, gray horse statue, rope sphere, & white wood elephant – HomeGoods | Brass bowl & Elephant bookends – thrifted | Scalloped wood bowl – not currently in stock but check back in later at {this post} for sources | Oyster shell ball – similar ones available {here} | Round brass tray was thrifted – similar one available {here} | Dried star pod | Gold lantern – no longer available but {this one} is similar | Left Bookcase: Gold candelabra (similar)| Let’s Stay Home printable (similar) | Brass bowl – thrifted | Black and white decorative balls (in bowl) | Gold sculpture with black stand – no longer available | Pinstripe bone box | Small piece white coral, tall brass vase, Black & white squiggle vase, & large round shallow basket – HomeGoods | Glass jug (similar)| Wooden basket – thrifted
HOME OFFICE
Paint color: Benjamin Moore Nightfall (Regal Select Matte finish) | Furniture & Lighting: Desk (which is actually a table) – no longer available | Chair – no longer available but {this one} is similar |Herringbone jute rug – no longer available but {this rug} is similar | Cowhide – {this cowhide} is similar | Semi-flush brass ceiling light |Drapes & Curtain Rod: – see {this post} for the detailed source list | Bookcase: Brass & pearl knobs | Perforated brass lantern, brass pagoda, white pot, & woven basket – HomeGoods | Black and white ginger jar – no longer available but there are some pretty options {here} | Brass pig and whale – thrifted but you can find lots of fun brass animals {here} | Gray burlap boxes & Pineapple decanter – no longer available| Blue and white pot – thrifted | Coral in upper cabinet – {this piece} is similar
Kris….another fabulous job! As with Mary Ann there are a few things I would like to have when you are done with them….like that great black and white vase! I can’t go into HomeGoods with out buying everything I see that is black and white….#crazygirl
Great tips and still loving this wonderful room you did for the ORC:)
Thanks Sherry! And I’m a crazy HomeGoods lady too – I wanted a second one so I could use a pair on my mantel and am bummed that I’ve never seen it again there! It was fun reuniting for another Project Design!
You are amazing. Your tutorials are always so helpful and your design amazing. Funny, I had a long brass tray that I kept trying to make work and couldn’t do it. I am going to try propping up with books like you…why didn’t I think of that? I recognize that oyster shell ball ala marshalls! Love the clean organic look of your shelves. So great to have the old gang back together. We need to do it in person!!
That you Cindy! And YES, we definitely need to have a meet-up – I’m sad that I won’t be there to see you all at DBC.
I love how you can articulate (via formulas) what works so that people can copy. Like there is something pleasing about the taller object on the left and smaller on the right. Also, love that it doesn’t have to be all about books either! GREAT statement about showing your personality. Beautiful job! Thanks for participating.
Mary Ann
Thank you Mary Ann! I so appreciate you asking me to join in – always love working with you guys!!
Kris!
I’ve seen your office/work space, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen the built-in bookshelves in this room! It looks beautiful and I couldn’t agree more, bookshelves are for things, not just books. They all tell a story, your story and it’s beautiful. I Love all of your advice and how you’ve curated each space (shelf)! Looks amazing!
xo
annie
Yes, I think the previous owners were a bit bookcase happy – along with the ones in our office and family room, we have another big built-in upstairs and the built-in hutch in our dining room! I’m not complaining though – they’re great to have and fun to style up! Thanks so much for having me as part of the Project Design group this month!
Kris,
I miss our bookcases from our old house. This house has a mantle and that’s about it for display space on a shelf. Still, I love the inspiration since restless me always changes the mantle with the season and maybe sometimes, just because. 🙂
I’m always inspired by the Project Design posts.
xo,
Karen
Karen I hear you – I think I might be a little lost without my shelves. I’d have nowhere to put the spoils of my HomeGoods addiction 🙂 Thanks as always for stopping by – I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
Great tips and your bookshelves look amazing! Happy Thursday!
Thank you so much! Enjoy your weekend!
I’m never disappointed in your posts – always so lovely! My favorites are seeing sweet little Hope sleeping on those beautiful throws!
You are so sweet – thank you! That is Hope’s favorite little spot – as soon as she sees me setting up the camera in that room she knows I’m going to be in there for a while and she snuggles on in. 🙂
Where are the books!!! Bookshelves are for books but your number of books is minimal to say the least. My money is invested in many, many books and I value them more than my knick knacks. Show me more book storage and less decorative pieces, please.
If “book-shelves” are just for books then Im in trouble as I don’t drink coffee … so what am I supposed to put on my “Coffee-Table” now?!! ?
Your shelving and design is stunning my dear! Keep up the good work and inspiration.
Ha – so true!!!
AMEN! It’s OK to be literate. And to show different colored book spines. Good grief.
Where are the books? Bookshelves are for books, are they not? I needed ideas for arranging books but my collection is much, much larger than what you show. I have more books than I do decorative items. My books are not replaceable, my knick knacks are. You dropped the ball as far as my needs are concerned.
The great thing about decorating is that we don’t have to all decorate the same way – it’s ok if you use books on yours and I use accessories on mine. We should each do what speaks to us and what we love – there’s not a right or wrong here. I don’t use a lot of books because other than kids books, we don’t own a ton – I rarely buy them because I use the library and my husband reads everything digitally. And my “knick knacks” include things like family photos and artwork that my kids made – to me, those are irreplaceable.
Kris, you are right on and I couldn’t agree more. Your styled shelves look incredible and I love the sentiment behind every space you design. You are so inspiring and are always giving such great ideas and valuable content. PS- the person who commented… “dropped the ball as far as my needs are concerned”?! You should probably give them a refund. Oh- wait…
I was sad to see the negative comment posted by Roger. I frankly don’t understand why people take the time to make negative comments like this. Maybe he needs to check his extensive book collection for some information about positivity, or some self help books. Just know that I appreciate this post and it has really helped me, and I am grateful for you sharing!
Kerri, your comment had me rolling in laughter – thank you! 🙂
So, it’s not OK if people who follow this blog actually disagree with the blogger? I’m sorry…I agree with Roger. Some of the beauty of real homes is displaying things you treasure…like books. How dismissive you folks are when someone dares to express an opinion that doesn’t dovetail with an antiseptic display. I don’t want to see homes that could be in a furniture store…I want to see personality and depth. Kerri, maybe you need to go live in a Haverty’s showroom.
I think this was an awesome look. I can easily decorate a bookshelf with “books”; I definitely came here for the decorating idea with addons. You did not disappoint!
Roger get a grip. Put you books on your shelves. Don’t be so negative.
Your bookshelves are really stunning. Each object expresses their presence. Thank you very much dear for sharing such zealous post!
Thanks Julie! I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
I love the texture and warmth that the wallpaper backed shelves added! Did you apply it in the traditional way or by another means?
Kat, I’d hung grasscloth before and had a bear of a time with it – it’s so much harder to trim than regular wallpaper. So for my shelves I actually cheated and cut out my pieces with scissors (it took several times for each strip to hold them up and see where I needed to cut more) and then glued the finished strips up with wallpaper paste. Definitely not very time efficient but it turned out better than I think it would have with my hack trim job!
I only had a few minutes to scan this post, but had to tell you I found it so helpful! I love me a good formula and this is styling gold! I can’t wait to read the whole post later, but for now, I have taken note of the formula and pinned it for future reference! Thanks for sharing!
I’m so glad that you found my post to be helpful – thanks for your sweet comment!
Curious if you wallpapered, painted or put inserts into your family room shelve’s backs for the gray look?
I actually just reread the article and finally found my answer!
Hello Kris, Thank you so much for sharing your brilliant design formulas! Couldn’t have come at a better time since I just installed two new bookshelves this week. Although I have a fairly extensive book collection to display, I love the way you’ve so artfully placed placed your decorative items and I’m going to incorporate your ideas!
I completely agree that we all are free to decorate our homes however we choose… no rules, no judgement.
Thanks again, I love the way you explained each tip!
Thanks Janelle – I’m so glad you thought the post was helpful – have fun redoing your shelves! 🙂
thank you so much for this post! I have lots of shelves and struggle to dress them up. I like to switch things out seasonally and it takes sooooo long to get an arrangement I am happy with. Can’t wait to put these time saving “plug and play” formulas to use refreshing my shelves for spring! You rock girl!
I’m so happy you found it helpful!!! Good luck with your spring refresh!
I love formulas! Something about the openness and freedom of a bookshelf that makes me have a mini panic about getting it to look right. These ideas are so straight forward and doable. Thanks so much for putting this together.
I’m so glad you found the formulas to be helpful!!!
I would love to see something like this for decorating consoles and coffee tables. I just bought a huge console and coffee table from RH and do not know what to do! I want to leave flexibility for holiday stuff on there but what to do everyday is killing me. Also, I need the coffee table to be kid friendly. HELP!
That’s good to know Diane – I will definitely put it on my list for future posts – great idea! In the meantime, this post has some styling ideas that might be helpful: https://www.drivenbydecor.com/coffee-table-styling-essentials-how-decorate/
Beautiful designs! Do you have any tips on styling long shelves? The builtins in our living room are each about 6 feet long without any dividers. I’ve removed a shelf in each one so there is more vertical space, but it still seems to get very busy. Any suggestions would be very appreciated! Love your style! Thanks
Long shelves are hard! You can still do these same vignettes and just do 2-3 of them per shelf. I think that in general, post people try to put too much on long shelves to fill them up so try leaving them with a little more blank space and see if that helps a bit!
I love your shelves and these tips are super helpful! I have a question…do you have any tips for styling an etagere? The open sides provide an additional element. Some of your tips will definitely work but wondering if you have any specific suggestions for shelves with visible sides. Thank you!!
Annie you’re so right – those make styling a bit harder! In that situation I just try to use more things that look good from both the front and sides (plants are an easy one!). Also using two bookends with books sandwiched between and open bowls filled with something pretty work well!
This was awesome. I loved that you broke it down very specifically. I needed that. I think I can decorate my own shelves now. Thank you!
Love your tips for decorating the bookshelves. How would you incorporate photographs into the space.
You can absolutely incorporate framed photos into the space! I love the combination of a larger vertical frame (like an 8 x 10) with a smaller horizontal frame (like a 5 x 8 or smaller) in front of it.
Thank you for the ideas spelled out so clearly. We have a remodeled kitchen/ living room which includes a built in bookcase with no divided sections. Interior space is 76″ tall & 46″ wide, 5 shelves (not evenly spaced), painted in bright white oil-based paint. There is an additional shelf that I didn’t install – too small a space between shelves. Any suggestions on styling the wide undivided shelves? Thank you so much.
I LOVE ALL OF YOUR TIPS! COULD YOU SUGGEST HOW TO INCORPORATE 4 PORCELAIN COLLECTOR PLATES OF CLASSIC AMERICAN CARS BY JIM DENEEN FOR MY BOOK SHELVES?
I can always rely on you for great inspiration. I have a few shelves that could do with a change. It’s fun to change things up a bit with each season. Thanks!
Karen
This is a great detailed post and thank you for helping us learn the tips and tricks to styling, as well as all the links to the beautiful pieces.
I have been looking for direction on how to decorate my bookshelf above my desk for a long time and found your decorating bookshelves above desks tips and ideas. They are perfect and I now feel able to decorate my bookshelves. Thanks for the great tips.
Cynthia Horzen
I have been looking for something to help me decorate my many built-in shelves for years and it’s been overwhelming to me. This formula will definitely make it easier. I like to change things a bit with seasonal decor so now I can have a formula to use to interchange a few things without having to re-do the shelves completely. I was so excited when I came across this post. This is invaluable to me and I will use this over and over again. Thank you so much!
Thankyou for this post! You have provided me with the perfect solutions for my office bookshelves which were custom built to fill up the back wall. I have quite a few books and have done a major purge and now have some lovely space to add beautiful pieces – just have to find them now!
We have a dark greenish gray freestanding bookcase. How should I lighten it up? Paint or paper on the back wall of each nook? Ideas please ?
Gail
Hi – Love all the ideas to style bookshelves – what I’m really looking for is how to style the top of very tall bookcases. Would sincerely appreciate pictures & ideas!! Thanks ever so much! Lyn
Love these ideas! Where do you get the stands to hold your trays/baskets upright?
Hello!
Like many I’m reorganizing rooms, currently it’s my living room.
Is it visually acceptable to place an etagere behind chairs and a end table?
I need something tall to display art in the room and I found a great etagere.
Thank you,
Audrey
Thank you, this is so helpful. We just built a house and will be moving in next month. We have two built in bookcases with a mantle in the middle. I was so overwhelmed with how to decorate the book shelves. I will use your tips and tricks. How would you suggest decorating the mantle in the middle? Thanks so much!
Thank you for such helpful tips. I have a bookcase tgat has been empty for months bc I need to paint and decorate and dreaded to do it. I’ll use your ideas and tackle it once and for all!
I like most of these the design ideas, but I’m curious about how you find the book you need, if they are all facing away from you like that.
I like to collect antique books, and their spines and old bindings really draw the eye.
Definitely face the spines out if that’s how you like it and/or if you have a large book collection that you frequently access! I only use a few of the books on my shelves with any regularity and I know exactly where they are.
Love all your good advice – however, can’t see the practicality and convenience. I would like to use bookshelves for storage of books we actually read (so would want to read the titles on the spines and some are pretty colorful), items that are keepsakes/memories but don’t fall into the style of the moment, and then some family photos (not a lot, but some). Any advice on how to keep them on bookshelves in any sort of decorative way?
Thanks much.
Hi Linda – you can absolutely use bookcases to store books and should if you have a lot of them. I don’t buy books – I get them from the library or read them electronically so don’t have many. Grouping them by color and in order of size will make your bookcases look more put together. And you can absolutely include framed family photos – use pretty frames and put them in some of the groupings I shared in this post 🙂
I find your tutorial very helpful and a great guide for updating the look of a bookshelf or bookcase. I find it very interesting that bookcases cases really don’t hold many books anymore. I guess that’s a result of a digital age we live in.