How to Decorate a Bookshelf.
- Start with a blank slate. If at all possible, remove everything from your bookshelf and wipe it down clean.
- Be selective about what you put back in. You don’t want a bookshelf crammed full of items. Sometimes, less is more. Be purposeful and thoughtful about ...
- Utilize different heights and shapes. As much as you can, create different layers to help draw the eye.
- Play with different textures. Try adding items outside of books and paper. Wicker baskets, smooth boxes or textured pottery are all different ways to ...
How to professionally decorate a bookcase?
- Use a carpenter square to make sure the top is square and the edges are flush.
- Apply a bead of wood glue to the top edge of the side panel, then clamp into position.
- Drive screws through the pocket holes.
- Repeat this process for the bottom shelf. ...
How to decorate a bookshelf like an adult?
How to decorate bookshelves
- Greenery: Faux is great – and way easier! Get a variety of sizes/heights. ...
- Vases: Colored glass or anything with a pattern or texture is great. Old wine bottles work, too! ...
- Books: Books can be used on their own or to add height to anything else, so gather a ton of books in the color scheme (s) you’re going with. ...
How do you make a book shelf?
- Measure the space where the bookshelf will sit. ...
- Decide if your bookshelf will have an open or a closed back. ...
- Decide it you'll use it to house paperback, hardback or coffee table-sized books. ...
- Standard bookshelves come in two-, three-, four- and five-shelf varieties, but you can make as many shelves as you want for your project.
How to organize bookshelves attractively?
9 Helpful Tips For Arranging A Bookshelf
- Start With A Clean Slate. You’ll make your own life a lot easier if you start with a clean, empty bookshelf. ...
- “Edit” The Contents. When I say “edit your shelves,” that’s just a polite way of saying “have some self-control!” ;-) The books and other items on your bookshelves should ...
- Add A Basket Or Two. ...
- Make A Statement. ...
- Arrange Your Books. ...
How do you decorate a bookshelf?
1:576:21How to Style a Bookshelf | 5 Easy Steps! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe books the other way so you see the other side of the books is totally up to you then when youMoreThe books the other way so you see the other side of the books is totally up to you then when you place the books into your bookshelf you're going to want to put them horizontally. Or vertically.
How do you beautify a bookshelf?
Bring in strategic stacking. Lay 'em down! ... Add some cute bookends. Keep those books up with style! ... Make sure to include fun lighting. Highlight your book collection by adding some lighting to your shelves. ... Use those colorful covers. ... You do you: Find your own style.
How do I make my shelf look good?
3:3210:51How to style a shelf | 10 Easy tips for bookshelf styling (ad) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo my second tip is to think about height. I'm starting with my biggest pieces first. So I canMoreSo my second tip is to think about height. I'm starting with my biggest pieces first. So I can spread. Them around and get the balance right. So big things like prints.
How do you accessorize built in bookshelves?
Go Big With Oversized Objects. Small trinkets are usually the go-to for bookshelf styling, but large pieces actually work well, too. Just be sure to create balance on each side of your bookshelf by selecting objects in similar proportions.
How do you decorate a bookshelf like a designer?
0:173:03How-to Style Your Bookshelves - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can place pictures in frames. And then don't forget that you can also incorporate paintings andMoreYou can place pictures in frames. And then don't forget that you can also incorporate paintings and prints and laying them at the back of the bookshelves.
How do you stage a bookcase like a pro?
1:182:23Staging Tutorial: How to Style a Bookshelf - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCan go at the top and when you have single items that can stand strongly on their own they can beMoreCan go at the top and when you have single items that can stand strongly on their own they can be placed in the middle of the shelf. Then start placing your larger items. And picture frames followed.
How do you make a bookshelf look more expensive?
Add Molding to Make It Look More Expensive Fine furniture is usually finished with as much trim and molding as the style allows. Thus, you can make a cheap bookcase look more expensive by adding molding—even if it starts as an everyday laminate piece.
How can I make my shelves look expensive?
5 Easy Ways to Make Your Bookshelf Styling Look Expensive01 of 05. Go Hardcover. Not to diss my favorite paperback titles, but hardcover books just display better. ... 02 of 05. Don't Display Everything. ... 03 of 05. Add Accessories. ... 04 of 05. Add Paper or Paint. ... 05 of 05. Incorporate Art.
What do you put on a bookshelf?
Lean artwork along the back of the shelves, and anchor them with books or heavier objects. To decorate the bookcase, place a few small pieces of art near the front of the shelves to give them depth. Bulky vases or decorative plates can hide their heft behind small frames without losing their uniqueness.
How do you arrange items on shelves?
0:443:15Fool Proof method For Decorating Your Shelves | Floating Shelf DecorYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHome. First thing that i'm going to do is style the top shelf from one end of the shelf to the otherMoreHome. First thing that i'm going to do is style the top shelf from one end of the shelf to the other placing decor. Across the shelf. In varying heights.
What to put on empty shelves?
What to Keep on Your Shelves Besides BooksShow Off Your Photos. Less is more is a frequently-used adage for a reason, but it doesn't always apply to interiors — as these eclectic built-in shelves prove. ... Vintage Touches. ... Splash of Color. ... Trendy Elements. ... Modern Accents. ... Curated Collection. ... Playful Sophistication.
How do you display knick knacks without looking cluttered?
Cubby bookcases are close enough to the traditional that no one really pays attention to them, but they also allow extra storage for displaying books and knick knacks on a low-key level....Cork boards. ... Magnets. ... Poster frames. ... Shadow box frames. ... Scrapbooks. ... Hanging baskets. ... Jewelry displays. ... Shelves, shelves, and more shelves.More items...•
How do you make an old bookshelf look new?
Here are a few different ideas for painting bookshelves that will help them look more interesting.1 | Paint It A Pretty Color. by Amy from attagirlsays.com. ... 2 | Paint the Inside A Different Color. ... 3 | Create a Rainbow. ... 4 | Add Some Stripes. ... 5 | Use A Paint Treatment. ... 6 | White Wash It.
How do you refurbish an old bookshelf?
How to Refinish a BookcaseRemove old paint. ... Sand the surface. ... Pay attention to details in the woodwork. ... Fill any dents, scratches or divots. ... Sand the entire bookcase a second time. ... Remove all traces of dust. ... Apply an oil-based stain. ... Seal the bookcase.
How do you dress a bookcase without books?
How To Decorate Bookshelves Without BooksAdd a fresh coat of paint. united photo studio/Shutterstock. ... Add accent pieces. ... Alternate heights and shapes of trinkets. ... Add wallpaper to your bookshelf. ... Include personal photos. ... Display collectables. ... Swap out décor from another part of the home. ... Add plants to your bookshelf.More items...•
What to use as bookcase decor?
As far as bookshelf decor ideas go, this is one of my favorite tips. You all know I love having a good piece of art or two around our home! Wooden signs are another great element to use as bookcase decor since they can be swapped out easily for each season. Of course, photographs in pretty picture frames are wonderful too, especially if they spark your joy.
Can you have a library of books as decor?
Let’s get the most obvious bookshelf decor tool out of the way first: books. Yes, you can definitely have a library of your book collection that can also function as decor.
Is it easy to take down a bookshelf?
Have fun with it. At the end of the day, bookshelf decor is pretty easy to take down and redo, unlike a major remodeling project. Have fun, experiment and switch it up.
Can you stack random books on a bookshelf?
Bookshelves can be tricky. Almost every home has them, but figuring out how to find the perfect bookshelf decor can seem almost impossible. Yes, you absolutely could just cram random books onto a bookshelf then stack random things you like along with them, but when it comes to interior design there is a fine line between curated and cluttered that I try to stay on the right side of.
Can you keep important papers in a basket?
These days, who couldn’t use a bit more storage? You can keep important papers or mementos hidden in plain sight within boxes that also decorate shelves. A stack of magazines or a set of books can be corralled in a wire basket to keep clutter to a minimum. Lastly, wicker baskets are also a great element to add when you are trying to learn how to decorate a bookshelf as they add the winning combination of both texture and storage.
How to decorate a book shelf?
Organize books by the color of their spines to create color-blocked bookshelf decor. Vary heights and create interest by stacking books horizontally as well as lining them up vertically. If you have volumes that don't fit with the others, turn their spines to face the wall so only the pages are visible.
What is the best way to decorate a bookshelf?
The best bookshelf decor often comes from items you already have. Shop around your house to find artwork, picture frames, vases, and other accessories in a cohesive color scheme or style. Place the largest items on the bookshelf first, staggering objects between shelves.
How to make a book spine look more cohesive?
In this living space, black built-ins stand out sharply against the mostly white decor on the shelves and elsewhere in the room. Turning books around so the pages face outward instead of the spine can also help bookshelf decor stick to a more cohesive color palette.
What to put on a bookshelf?
Objects that have special meaning to you or evoke certain memories make great bookshelf decor. Gather souvenirs from travels, flea market artwork, or treasured collectibles to decorate your shelves. For a more dynamic display, arrange stacks of horizontal books to serve as a pedestal for small objects.
What is eclectic style bookshelf?
Credit: Helen Norman. It can be difficult to determine how to decorate bookshelves with an eclectic style. When you have art pieces that span a variety of styles, they can all work together on a bookshelf, as long as colors coordinate .
Why do we use bookshelves?
Bookshelves can be used to create visual interest. Here, a bookended stack on the center shelf mirrors the decor below it, all while contrasting the top shelf of loosely arranged and off-center books. When decorating shelves, offsetting accessories provides the biggest impact.
How to organize bookshelves in an office?
To give office bookshelves an organized feel, gather a wide variety of collectibles. Place your chosen items between books, creating loose symmetry. If you have a picture frame or square shape in one shelf, mirror it with a collectible of a similar shape and size on the opposite side. In a wall of bookshelves such as this, it's important to scatter books here and there to punctuate the look.
What to do with a book shelf?
Plus, the styling opportunities for bookshelves are endless. You can decorate shelves with artwork or lush greenery, dress them up with a trendy paint color or wallpaper, stack books vertically or horizontally — the list goes on and on.
What to do with all white shelves?
Upgrade all-white shelves with unique decor, including a petite table lamp and striking vases. Keep stacks of books to a minimum to let your design aesthetic shine.
How to encourage kids to read?
Curious about how to encourage your kid's love of reading? Complement a playful display of books with some of their favorite colorful toys.
Can you display china on shelves?
There's no reason why you can't use your shelves to highlight a treasured china collection. Balance the display with color-coordinated books.
What to do when styling shelves?
The first thing I always do when styling my shelves, is take everything off. It really helps to start with a blank canvas. Even though you may know a piece is staying, I still like to take everything off, clean the shelves, and start fresh.
Can you use vases as bookends?
After placing larger pots and vases, I next bring in smaller sized vases. I love to use them as bookends, stacked on top of a couple of books, or placed in front of a taller object. Again, some will be filled and some will stay empty.
How to make a cheap bookcase look more expensive?
Fine furniture is usually finished with as much trim and molding as the style allows. Thus, you can make a cheap bookcase look more expensive by adding molding —even if it starts as an everyday laminate piece. Kate from Centsational Girl made a pair of IKEA Billy bookcases unrecognizable by installing base and crown molding. She also added a lattice trim to make the sides and shelf fronts appear thicker.
What to do with a bookcase that doesn't have wallpaper?
If you not have any wallpaper on hand and don't want to invest in an entire roll, no problem. Cover the back wall of the bookcase with patterned fabric. My Third True Love's Ali (now the creative force behind pop-up shop The Garage Collective) spotted this small bookcase at a flea market. She painted it white and added a fun floral fabric to the back. It went from Early American yuck to cottage charmer .
What to do if a bookcase is at the flea market?
If that bookcase you found at the flea market looks like it needs rehab, you can probably give it some TLC and breathe new life into that hunk of junk. What you need is new bookshelf ideas, not new bookshelves .
How to turn a low shelving unit into a bar cart?
In this easy IKEA hack, Sugar & Cloth's Ashley turned a low shelving unit into a DIY bar cart by adding casters to the bottom and handles to the top. If you already have a bar cart, follow Ashley's instructions to transform your bookcase into a coffee station for the kitchen or a craft room cart.
How to make a bookcase prettier?
Before painting or staining, make a plain bookshelf prettier by attaching a decorative applique. The finished look resembles carving. For this dreamy makeover, Jen from Rustique Restoration cut a custom wood valance to back her appliqué. After attaching both, she finished the bookcase in a distressed creamy white. To add raised decoration to a larger surface, such as the bookcase sides, opt for furniture overlays instead.
What are casters on a bookcase?
Casters are furniture wheels. They add visual interest and make it easy to move the bookcase from place to place.
What color enamel did Christy use for her bookcase?
She took it home and gave it a coastal-inspired makeover with paint . She started with a beachy blue enamel and then used her own recipe to turn it into chalk-finish paint .
Why add art to bookshelf?
Art is so personalized to every individual’s tastes. Adding art work to your bookshelf decor is a great way to tell your family’s story!
How to decorate a bookcase without restraints?
Remove everything from your bookcases to start with a blank canvas. This allows you to decorate without restraints and rethink the space.
How to make a coffee table look realistic?
Keep it practical and make it functional. This makes it feel warm and realistic rather than a contrived display. Use baskets and boxes to hold dvd’s, remote controls, etc. Use your shelves to store your favorite coffee table books or display treasures.
Why are bookshelf boxes used?
Similarly, boxes are such a great element for bookshelf styling. They can hide unattractive items or simply be used as a prop to give you more height as you’re styling.
What color scheme is best for a sophisticated look?
A monochromatic or minimal color scheme will help you immediately achieve a sophisticated look. Simplifying the color palette is the easiest way to do this – I like to keep it to three primary color tones!
Can you put family photos in a picture frame?
You can also use family photos in your favorite picture frames, of course, to bring a personalized element to your shelves.
Is there a rule for bookshelves?
Again, please remember that there are no rules. This is simply a guide to help you get started and style your bookshelves in a way that you love!
What to put on a bookshelf?
Bookshelf decor ideas in a room like an office might include more functional objects like boxes, magazine holders, and books along with some art, family photos, and bookcase decor.
What to put on a shelf in a living room?
Shelf decorating ideas for the living room might include art, photos, books, and decorative objects but often need to include some functional decor as well like baskets to organize everyday items like keys or mail.
How to make a shelf height?
Tip: To create height, stack small shelf decor on the horizontal items already on your shelves to add interest and vary the height on each shelf.
What to put on a kitchen shelf?
Kitchen shelf decor will include more functional items like cookbooks, bowls, or platters to keep the items you use within easy reach while still adding style and interest to your space. Even these items will fit your style and be an opportunity to add color and personality to your space.
Why do you put trays on the back of shelves?
trays. Leaning items at the back of your shelves is a great way to layer in color and texture and add depth. This is especially important when decorating built in shelves. The items you choose don’t necessarily have to stand out or have much contrast to the background of your shelves either.
Why do we put things on shelves?
The shelves in your home are the perfect opportunity to tell your story and show off your personality so when thinking of things to put on shelves, some of the items you decide to display should have meaning and be items you love.
Is it better to use larger or smaller shelves?
Larger is sometimes better – To many small shelf decor items can make your shelves look cluttered. Mix it up by using larger items with a few smaller items sprinkled in. White space is your friend – Don’t feel like you have to fill every space on your shelves. Leaving space between items allows them to stand out more.
How to style a shelf?
According to Emily Henderson, it takes 3 easy steps to style a shelf properly: Add books and trays. Add art. Mix it all up. On top of that, you should keep a consistent color palette, and keep items to the minimum (avoid clutter, keep only important items). With that in mind, we’ve collected the best shelf ideas and an easy guide on decorating ...
How to make a shelf look more appealing?
When it comes to shelves, they follow simple rules. Group your books in odd numbers and combine heights and textures to make it more visually appealing. Your shelf should reflect your style, values aesthetic, and storage should be classy.
Why is an open book shelf better than a closed book shelf?
The main advantage of an open bookshelf is it’s easy to organize because the shelf itself don’t have walls. It also increases your storage compared to close one.
Why are bookshelves important?
Extra shelves can actually help make your room look more spacious as they provide more storage.
What is a long bookshelf?
The long bookshelf is used for storing plenty of items due to its size but it is still compact that it can fit in a much smaller room. It’s usually built on the floor, sometimes under a window.
Why is a shallow bookcase important?
That’s why a shallow bookcase is recommended because it can fit a small room. You can even decorate it to make a small room beautiful.
Why is it important to arrange bookshelves properly?
Arranging bookshelves the proper way lets you easily find what you’re looking for saving you time.
