Struggling with how to decorate a bookshelf? I’m sharing ten simple, tried-and-true shelf decorating formulas that work!
So many of you tell me that you do okay picking out furniture for your home but struggle when it comes to accessorizing. Especially styling shelves. While shelf styling is a bit of an art, I’ve turned it into a no-brainer that anyone can do well with ten simple formulas for how to decorate a bookshelf. So if you have any bare shelves that have been giving you the stink-eye, I hope you’ll find the inspiration and know-how to finally get them decorated! (post includes affiliate links – full disclosure statement available {here})
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:
Other basic principles are to (2) stagger the heights of your objects in each grouping and (3) vary colors, finishes, and textures to keep things interesting. And lastly, have fun with it! Shelves are a great place to put family photos, keepsakes, or just about anything that puts a smile on your face when you see it.
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:
Dress up your bookcases by lining the back of them with wallpaper! Check out my wallpaper installation tips along with other simple wallpaper ideas.
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,
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Teri says
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!
Cynthia says
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
Laurie says
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.
Jo dial says
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!
Annie says
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!!
Kris Jarrett says
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!
Donna says
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
Kris Jarrett says
Long shelves are hard! You can still do these same groupings but do 3 of them per shelf instead of 1-2. 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!
Kris Jarrett says
Kat, since grasscloth is a lot more challenging to trim than regular wallpaper is, 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.
Diane says
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!
Kris Jarrett says
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/
Christin says
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.
Kris Jarrett says
I’m so glad you found the formulas to be helpful!!!
Elizabeth says
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!
Kris Jarrett says
I’m so happy you found it helpful!!! Good luck with your spring refresh!
Janelle says
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!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Janelle – I’m so glad you thought the post was helpful – have fun redoing your shelves! 🙂
Kerri says
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!
Kris Jarrett says
I’m so glad that you found my post to be helpful – thanks for your sweet comment!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Julie! I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
Kris Jarrett says
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. 🙂
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you so much! Enjoy your weekend!
Kris Jarrett says
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!