Bookshelf Styling Tips 101
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My built-in bookshelves in my living-room had gradually turned into a cluttered, over-stuffed mess. Bookshelf styling, to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing, is something I have always struggled with. If you too have struggled with organizing Your bookshelves, read on to see how I did mine and find tips to transform your shelves.
Bookshelf Styling Tip #1 is to take a photo and assess your shelves...
By taking a photo you will be able to see it with fresh eyes. You will notice things that you have become oblivious to because you see it every day.
Ask yourself:
- What you like?
- What is working for you?
- Is there anything you don’t like?
- Does it need to have certain things?
- How do you need it to function?
- How do you want it to look?
- What is your colour scheme?
- Do you want it to be the focal point or part of the background?
One of the first problems I noticed on my shelves is that they were getting cluttered, as I already mentioned. Over time I have accumulated too many books, binders and other pieces of decor. I also didn’t like the pops of red. On my shelves I have plugs and the internet outlet in them so the modem has to be there. Anything electrical has to be near the plugs too (unless it’s wireless). That also leads to a mess of cords that I need to hide.
Tip #2 Remove everything, declutter and clean...
You know the drill by now… Take everything out and give everything a clean. Decide what you want to declutter. If you still want to keep some things maybe you can find somewhere else to put them. I did manage to fill a box of items to donate. For some of my other newly acquired books, I decided to get another shelf and put it in my closet so they would be handy for me to read when I go to bed.
Tip #3 Organize into zones and categories.
One side is designated as my office side and the other as my entertainment side. My office side has non-fiction, financial, business or self-help type books. The entertainment side has select fiction books, DVDs and music.
You may want to organize your books by colour, genre or author. Some bookshelves organized by the colours of the rainbow are quite striking. Or you may prefer a more neutral colour scheme.
I have organized mine by genre and author. On my office side I have all my Rich Dad Poor Dad books by Robert Kiyosaki, Robert G. Allen, Gail Vas Oxlade and Tony Robbins books. I also have decorating, organizing and self-help type books. On my entertainment side I have an entire shelf of Diana Gabaldon books and DVDs. Stephenie Meyer (Twilight), and J.R.Tolkein (The Lord of the Ring) books and DVDs are on another shelf.
Tip #4 Place large items and items that have to go in a specific place first...
My photo boxes have stayed on the same shelf on the office side. The top of my entertainment shelves have also stayed the same. My parents’ antique radio, statue of David and the bust of Diana the Huntress remained on the entertainment side. On the shelf that has my modem and outlets I switched things around. The DVD player and modem are now on the right side and the cords are disguised with an old grate I had painted white and the picture of my honey. On the bottom shelf all I did was remove a scented wax warmer.
The planner organizer is placed on the bottom of the office shelves, directly behind my desk. Here I can easily access my planners, notebooks and binders. I decluttered my binders and streamlined them. The other bottom shelf with my boxes, picture and scented wax warmer stayed the same. In the boxes I keep papers and electronic accessories and cords.
Tip #5 Place books next...
For bookshelf styling, alternate book placement vertically and horizontally and add a small decorative item on top of horizontal books. This helps to create visual interest.
Tip #6 Hide or disguise unsightly items...
For some books with red or other bright coloured bindings I turned them around so their white pages would show. I also placed an artificial plant in front of some and a picture frame in front of other items I wanted to hide. On the entertainment side I placed a special edition white box of the first Outlander DVDs to hide the worn paperback books behind it. Of course all kinds of small items can be hidden away in baskets, boxes, bins and other containers.
Tip #7 Repeat different textures, materials and colours...
I have used wood, “silver”, “copper” and “gold” throughout the shelves. The color scheme is predominantly white and black with aqua blue and teal accents.
Tip #8 Remember to use the rule of three or odd numbers when creating a vignette...
Try to place items in groups of three. By grouping books together or using bookends with a few books, they will all look like one unit.
Tip #9 Inject bits of green with plants...
If you won’t remember to water them or they will not get enough light, use artificial plants.
And Bookshelf Styling Tip #10 Remember to balance items on all shelves...
You can see my new video on bookshelf styling below...
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