How to effortlessly style a bookshelf

18 Apr

Bookshelves, and shelves of any kind, are a stunning way to customise your interiors, while injecting personality, versatility, style and functionality.

They can be anything from powerful and commanding, to a quieter paired back moment.

Either way, a shelf in my opinion is a dedicated area where self-expression, personal values and prized possessions are able to take front and centre.

With a plethora of shelving options available to suit almost every budget and nook and cranny - elevating your home has never been easier.

Creating an aesthetically pleasing bookshelf look is like producing a finished piece of art. The final product looks like one beautiful image, but it’s the numerous elements that come together seamlessly which make the picture look whole.

So, if you’re after an effortless, high-end look for your room, follow these simple bookshelf styling techniques to curate a designer-worthy finish to your space.

Oh, and if you want to jump straight to the styling items - scroll to the bottom of the page for a full list of curated shoppable links I’ve put together in partnership with Amazon as an Amazon Associate member.

1.Decide on a colour palette

Colour control is the easiest way to create a cohesive and harmonic display. If you’re unsure where to start, look to the rest of the room and see where the dominant colours feature. You may decide to pick out colours from a rug, piece of art, cushions or throw blankets - even the landscape outside. Look for the subtle colour nuances around you that can begin to add layers and warmth into your shelf and therefore the room itself.

2.Mix up materiality

If you stick to one type of material, let’s just say ceramics - you risk your bookshelf or shelf falling flat. Instead, use lots of different natural materials to give the overall display interest and dimension. When we see tactility in visual form, we can interpret what items would feel like, giving us an immersive experience just by looking at certain things. With this being said, add contrasting textures like concrete, fabric, stones, metals, wood, paper mache, terracotta, clay and ceramics etc…

3.Scale is everything

Size is an important component when it comes to any type of styling. You want to ensure you have a lot of variety in your styling objects - think high to low, big to small and wide to narrow.

4.Shape is just as important

Just as you need objects of varying sizes, the same goes for shape. Contrasting shapes in different sizes and materials add layers of interest that will satisfy your eye so contently. When it comes to shape, pairing items that have straight lines such as books, with decor that’s rich in sculptural form can create a beautiful tension of harmony.

5.Composition is Queen

Composition is the art of arranging your items in a way that allows your eye to follow a natural flow and tell a story that feels cohesive and balanced. This can be as simple as grouping items together in clusters of one, twos, threes or more. Odd numbers often work best but stand-alone objects or pairs can also work nicely. The most important part is to mix it up. Use symmetry and a-symmetry, as well as negative space to create spaces that feel just right. Play around with weights, heights and different variations to create smaller vignettes that come together naturally. For example, stack some books laying flat with a small vase or candle on top, and stand some upright for variety.

6.Incorporate objects of meaning and affection

These are the things you’re organically drawn to and deliberately source out time and time again.

It could be the combination of things you’ve collected and stumbled upon versus the things you’ve deliberately sourced through admiration and yearning - the things you still love years later. These should take precedence when styling your home. They could be sentimental or treasured pieces that have been handed down or held onto for a long time . These wonderful pieces add personality and value to your home - seeing and celebrating them everyday is so important.

7.Use a mix of old and new

Mixing and matching old with new always brings a gorgeous synergy. This could be as simple as the items mentioned above, using pictures or art that has special memories, artefacts from travels, collected pieces of personal significance such as pots and vases, small boxes or baskets to store things. A touch of patina is priceless. It brings story, history and culture in a way ‘off the shelf’ items can’t. There are so many ways you can find items with patina, including getting thrifty and checking out your local op shop or vintage revival store. Adding in new designs can be equally as valuable - modern and fresh pieces that inject currency and ‘newness’ can be just the ticket to merging old and new, creating an essence of timelessness.

8. Use go- to styling items that always work

Taking into consideration everything mentioned above, items I find work well for bookshelf styling are as follows…

Books - a no brainer. And the more the merrier. There are so many ways to stack and display them making them versatile and aesthetically beautiful. Books also represent values and make known what you stand for, be it great design, travel, fashion, art or culture - they’re a great way to reinforce what’s important to you as a person. Oh, and if you’re using books that don’t have nicely coordinated spines, try facing some backwards to unify them.