How to Style Bookshelves: Simple Tips for a Collected Look
Do you have one of those things you keep putting off even though you know you need to do it? Writing a blog post about styling my bookshelves has been that for me!
Part of me wondered if I really had enough to share, and another part thought, What if everyone has a different opinion? But I’ve had enough of you ask about our living room bookshelves that I decided it was finally time to share them—and a few of the simple tips I use when styling them.
When we first bought our house, I knew I wanted to add built-in bookshelves to our living room. Here’s a before and after so you can see just how much they changed the space.
Choosing White Built-In Bookshelves
A warm and inviting living room features a stone fireplace with a TV above it, flanked by white shelves. A dog sits near a large ottoman adorned with magazines and a plant. Brown leather chairs and a white sofa with blue pillows offer seating, while a red-patterned rug enhances the traditional ambiance.- A warm and inviting living room with a high ceiling and tall stone fireplace. It features a large gray sofa, two light-colored armchairs, wooden furniture, and a tall window. Decor includes framed art, plants, and a rug on the light wood flooring.
- A cozy living room with a stone fireplace, built-in white shelves, a large painting above the mantel, two sofas, a tufted ottoman, a houseplant, and family photos. The room feels bright and welcoming.
When we decided to add the bookshelves, one of my first decisions was whether to paint them a fun, bold color or use the same white as the trim throughout our home. As you can see from the BEFORE picture above, the previous owners had the bottom cabinets painted a dark color.
I chose white, and I’m so glad I did. It creates a beautiful neutral backdrop for all of my colorful pieces, especially my collection of blue and white. I also love the simple brass hardware.
I considered adding picture lights above the shelves, but since I thought of it after the bookshelves were finished, it would have required changes to the trim and ended up being pretty expensive. Maybe one day!
What to Put on Your Bookshelves
- A shelf displays a bowl of artichokes, a blue-and-white jar, a floral plate, books, and a framed landscape painting with trees and mountains.
- A colorful ceramic pitcher with floral patterns sits in front of a blue and white jar, next to a framed painting and a book titled “The Joy of Decorating” on a white shelf.
- White shelves display a blue and white plate, a floral jar, framed family photos, books, a potted plant, and a blue-toned art print. Items are neatly arranged on three shelves.
You know how much I love blue and white! I’ve collected blue and white pieces for years, and one of the reasons I wanted these bookshelves was to have a place to display some of my favorites. (Shop my Living room + Blue and White Favorites HERE.)
But blue and white certainly isn’t the only thing you’ll find on our shelves. I love mixing decorative pieces with books, artwork, family photos, greenery, and pieces we’ve collected over the years. (SHOP my SHELVES HERE.)
- Books
It sounds obvious, but books belong on bookshelves! I have a collection of antique books from my grandparents in the prettiest light navy blue, along with several beautiful coffee table books.
I like using books both vertically and horizontally. Stacking a few books is also an easy way to add height to a smaller decorative piece. - Artwork
Artwork is one of my favorite ways to make bookshelves feel personal. I have a beautiful piece my daughter painted for me, a watercolor of Steamboat—our favorite mountain town—and two abstract pieces Scott and I bought on a trip to Scottsdale.
Not only does artwork add color and interest, but these pieces also remind me of people and places I love. - Family Photos
I think it’s so important to make your bookshelves feel like your home, and family photographs are an easy way to do that.
I love incorporating framed photos throughout our shelves. Some of my favorite frames are simple bamboo-style frames I found on Amazon. They’re classic and work beautifully with the other pieces in the room. - Plants and Greenery
Plants bring so much life to a space! I have some type of greenery in almost every room of our home.
Pothos ivy is one of my favorites because it’s so easy to care for. I also have preserved boxwood topiaries that I’ve owned for years. Both are great for adding a little softness and natural color to bookshelves. - Decorative Boxes
Decorative boxes are another favorite. Most of mine are antiques I’ve found at different antique malls over the years. I love stacking them and especially love the warmth and character they bring to the shelves.
I also have a large rattan box that fills a good amount of space and a smaller rattan box from HomeGoods. Boxes are especially helpful when you have a larger shelf that needs something with a little more visual weight. - Plates and Bowls
Don’t be afraid to use pretty dishes outside of the kitchen or dining room! Plates and bowls can add beautiful color and pattern to bookshelves. I also love that they’re easy to switch out seasonally. Right now I have several colorful Williams Sonoma pieces on our shelves that feel perfect for spring and summer. When the weather gets cooler, I’ll switch those out for some of my antique pieces.
Simple Tips for Styling Bookshelves
Once you’ve gathered the things you want to display, the next question is how to put everything together.
I’m certainly not an interior designer, but there are a few simple rules of thumb I use whenever I’m styling bookshelves, a tabletop, or really any area of our home. (SHOP my SHELVES HERE.)
Vary the Heights
Try not to have everything on a shelf at the same height. Mixing taller and shorter pieces keeps your eye moving and makes the display much more interesting.
Books are one of my favorite tricks for this. If two decorative pieces are similar in height, place one on top of a small stack of books to instantly add dimension.
Decorate in Odd Numbers
Most of the time, groupings of three or other odd numbers are especially pleasing to the eye. You’ll notice that many of my shelves have three main pieces or groupings.
You don’t have to follow this rule on every single shelf, but it’s an easy place to start when something doesn’t look quite right.
Mix Different Shapes and Textures
Try mixing smooth ceramics with woven rattan, books, greenery, artwork, and warm wood or brass accents. Using different shapes and textures keeps shelves from feeling too matchy or one-dimensional.
Display Collections Together
If you have something you love collecting, bookshelves are the perfect place to show it off.
For me, that’s blue and white. I have several jars displayed throughout our shelves. On one shelf, I even use a lidded jar as a vase for ivy and display the lid separately nearby. Here’s a blog post where I shared some of blue and white favorites on Amazon.
You don’t have to spread a collection evenly across every shelf. Sometimes grouping several similar pieces together makes more of an impact.
Use Things That Mean Something to You
This might be my favorite tip of all.
Your bookshelves don’t need to look like they came straight from a showroom. Fill them with things that tell your story—family photographs, heirlooms, art from your children, books you’ve collected, and treasures you’ve found while traveling.
Those are the things that make your home feel like your home.
Give Everything a Little Breathing Room
You don’t have to fill every inch of every shelf. Leaving a little empty space around your groupings gives your eye somewhere to rest and helps the pieces you love stand out.
If a shelf feels too busy, try removing one thing. Sometimes that’s all it takes!
Creating a Collected Look Over Time
- A white built-in bookshelf displays blue and white porcelain vases, a basket, books, framed photos, decorative plates, a small green plant, and a framed landscape painting.
- A blue and white decorative vase, a framed painting of birch trees, and a small potted plant are displayed on a white shelf above white cabinets with gold handles.
- A white shelf displays blue and white porcelain vases, potted plants, decorative plates, a wooden box, and a framed painting, next to a stone wall.
One of the things I love most about our bookshelves is that they didn’t come together in one shopping trip. They’re filled with things we’ve collected over many years—antiques, family pieces, travel finds, photographs, books, and things I simply love.
I really believe a beautiful home should feel collected over time rather than bought all at once. Don’t worry about getting every shelf “finished.” Add things you love as you find them, move pieces around, and change things with the seasons.
Most importantly, have fun with it!
I hope these bookshelf styling ideas give you a little inspiration for your own home. If you have any questions—or a bookshelf styling trick you love—I’d love to hear from you!
You can shop many of my bookshelf favorites HERE, follow along with me on Instagram here, and find all of my latest favorites on LTK here.
Grateful for you,
Julie
If you shop through links on this post I will earn a small commission. Thanks for supporting SMG!
