Styling your bookshelves might seem straightforward, but it’s a stressful task. It becomes more daunting if you’re trying to maximize space for more collections. Book lovers have a bias for books and end up filling their bookcases to the brim. A bookshelf can be a great way to store and display your favorite books, but it can also be a great way to add a touch of style to your home.

Your bookcase doesn’t have to be all cramped and uninspiring to the eye. There are a few things to keep in mind when styling a bookshelf, such as the size and shape of the bookshelf, the type of books you want to display, and the overall style of your home. Here are great tips on how to style bookshelves.

Some common questions to consider before you start styling your bookshelves are:

• What is the primary purpose of the bookshelves?
• What feeling do you want to evoke?
• Do you want the bookshelves to be a focal point in the room?
• What is your overall design style?
• Do you have any existing furniture that needs to work with the bookshelves?

How to Style Bookcases For Maximum Storage?

Book enthusiasts use bookshelves for storing all kinds of books. But how do you fit in all books and get space to display your adorable stuff?

Step 1

Start by emptying your shelves. It might look trivial, but you have to style your shelves from scratch. When clearing out books, you’ll find collections or volumes you may no longer need. Try having a book sale or donate them to add more space.

Step 2

The next step is selecting a consistent colour palette. A dull colour will suck the life out of your bookshelf and make it look unorganized. Instead, opt for a colour pattern that blends in with your décor. This means using storage bins and boxes of almost similar colour. Books might be of different colours, but you may need to do away with dust jackets.

Step 3

The organization of books plays an important role when learning how to style bookshelves. To organize your bookshelves, first consider what type of books you want to display. Do you want to organize them by genre, author, or color? Once you know how you want to organize your books, begin by grouping them together.

If you're organizing by genre, group all the fiction books together, all the non-fiction books together, and so on. If you're organizing by author, group all the books by the same author together. And if you're organizing by genre, group all the books of the same genre together. This will make it easier for you to find the book you're looking for, and it will also make your bookshelves look neater. Another trick is start filling your bookcase from the bottom, then proceed to the top. Heavy and oversized items like boxes and bins should occupy the base. The top half should carry light books and magazine files.

Step 4

Create space for displaying decorative items. You can commit a shelf or two for artwork, natural objects, air plants, and any artistic item. The average length of time it takes to style a bookshelf is 1.5 hours.

How Should Bookcases Be Arranged?

If you’re a bibliophile, you need bookshelves that accommodate more books. Here is how to style bookcases with lots of books.

Step 1

The first step is to choose the right bookshelf for your space. There are many different styles and sizes of bookshelves available, so it is important to find one that fits well in your space.

Once you have the perfect bookshelf, it is time to start styling it! Start by adding in some of your favorite books. If you want to add a bit of color to your bookshelf, try adding in some colorful bookends or a few small decorative items. Place heavy books on the bottom shelf, then ascend to the next shelf if the books don’t fit. The arrangement doesn’t have to be uniform. You can incorporate both vertical and horizontal layouts on the same shelf. Visually break these books by including an adorable vase between them. Consider placing small and less visible books on upper shelves.

Another option is sorting the books by colour. Always arrange books of a particular colour in one area. This layout might be problematic to individuals with many titles. You’ll find it challenging to find a specific book.

Step 2

Add glamour to your bookshelves by creating vignettes. Horizontal/vertical book lines can sometimes be boring. Vignettes break up these lines without sacrificing the storage space. Whether you’re adding flowers or lamps, ensure the decor doesn't distract the focus from the books.

Step 3

Create enough breathing space. You don’t have to pack all the books together. Instead, stack them in batches while leaving ample spaces in between.

Step 4

Keep your favourite titles easily accessible. Ensure all the books you love reading are on reachable levels. It will save you the trouble of messing up your bookcase during frequent book searches.

Shelves Display Ideas: Mementos, Collectibles, and Colour

A casual reader is unlikely to have a library of books. Fewer books translate to more negative space and impact how to decorate shelves. An ideal way of filling empty spaces is showcasing your collectibles. Be aware that bookshelves aren’t thrift stores. You don’t have to store unnecessary items. Here are some ideas on how you display alluring objects.

Step 1

The bottom shelf carries heavy and oversized collectibles. Anything that you deem awkward should be at the bottom. A massive box of decorations will raise eyebrows if it appears at the top of your bookcase.

Step 2

Your bookcase should contain personal items. Collect all the pretty things you own and would like to display. It could be:

• Souvenirs
• Your grandmother’s antique cups
• Eccentric jars
• Unique vases
• Charming ornaments

Get creative on how to arrange collectibles and bookshelves styling. Never be afraid to experiment on which items go where. You can place items on books, tuck others in the background, and prop some in front of tomes. Swap them around if they don’t fit naturally or appear blurry.

Step 3

Group collectibles in batches. This prevents your bookshelves from appearing too chaotic. Create packs of three to five items that share unique features. They could be recent collectibles, precious relics, or animal carvings.

You’re unlikely to place everything in the right place on the first try. Perfection comes after several trials and errors. The key is tweaking everything until you find the ideal combination.

There are different ways and ideas to style bookcases. The final choice comes down to the number of books you want to store. More books translate to less space for personal items. You might sacrifice collectibles to provide breathing space for your treasured titles.

How to style a bookshelf like a pro?

We hope the above bookshelves styling ideas will help you to create the ideal space to house your many books. RJ Living has a wide selection of designer shelves, bookcases, and wall shelves decor to choose from that is modern and affordable to add storage to your space. View them online or visit our showroom in Melbourne, Australia today!