What to put on empty bookshelves?
TIPS & IDEAS FOR WHAT TO PUT ON YOUR SHELVESPlants, plants and more plants. Plants are super on trend at the moment. ... Texture. Look for fun woven baskets, wooden prayers beads and little boxes to add texture to your shelves.Candle holders. ... Books. ... Vases. ... Pictures, art prints and photos.Candles.Risers.
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.
What goes on bookshelves besides books?
7 Things You Can Put on Your Bookcase Other Than Books1 BASKETS. Baskets are perfect if you have a lot of knick-knacks and small trinkets of sentimental value that you don't want to throw away. ... 2 PLANTS. ... 3 CANDLES. ... 4 GLASS JARS. ... 5 PICTURE FRAMES. ... 6 FIGURINES. ... 7 CHALKBOARD. ... 8 BONUS: PAINT.
How do you style bookshelves?
Arrange the bookcase so that the largest, heaviest books are at the bottom; the smaller books at the top. Stack books on their sides, some on their ends, leaving space around them to create a neat display. Leave room for accessories to be displayed alongside your books, too.
How do you arrange items on a bookshelf?
The basic rule of thumb for decorating bookshelves: one-third books, one-third accessories, and one-third empty space per shelf. If you're short on storage, fill the bottom shelf with identical boxes or baskets. Organize 60 percent of books vertically and 40 percent horizontally to create both balance and spontaneity.
How do I organize my bookshelf?
There's no one-size-fits-all approach to organizing a bookshelf....Edit your book collection. (Image credit: Future / David Lovati) ... Order books alphabetically. ... Group by genre. ... Create a rainbow effect. ... Reserve prime space for favorite books. ... Organize books by height. ... Stick to the two-thirds rule. ... Build stylish stacks.More items...•
How do you style a bookshelf like a pro?
0:353:29How to Style a Bookshelf Like a Pro (3 Easy Steps) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou want to put the big items in first because. It they're the things that are going to take up theMoreYou want to put the big items in first because. It they're the things that are going to take up the most amount of space. So you want to know what space you're going to have left.
How do you spice up a bookshelf?
Bookshelf Display StrategiesIdea #1: Balance books with decorative items. ... Idea #2: Create symmetry. ... Idea #3: Leave some empty space. ... Idea #4: Add interest with leaning books. ... Idea #5: Stack books for variety. ... Idea #6: Use a limited color palette. ... Idea #7: Cover books in uniform paper. ... Idea #8: Arrange books by color.More items...•
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...•
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 style a bookshelf like a pro?
0:353:29How to Style a Bookshelf Like a Pro (3 Easy Steps) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou want to put the big items in first because. It they're the things that are going to take up theMoreYou want to put the big items in first because. It they're the things that are going to take up the most amount of space. So you want to know what space you're going to have left.
How do you stage a bookcase like a pro?
1:505:45Arranging Bookcases for Staging - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou also want to layer your decor add varying height stand back to look at the shelf. And make sureMoreYou also want to layer your decor add varying height stand back to look at the shelf. And make sure it's visually appealing.
What do you put on top of bookshelves?
How To Decorate The Top Of A BookcaseAdding Lighting.Having Statement Art.Show Off A Collection.Hanging Art Above The Bookcase.Adding Floral Accents.Books On Books.
What should I put on my bookshelves?
Show your personality, interests, etc. Shelves are a great place to put family photos, keepsakes, or anything that makes you smile. They can be filled with books too but don’t have to be. Whenever I share a pic of our bookcases on Instagram, at least one person says “bookshelves should be for books”. Nope. They should be for whatever you want them to be – it’s your home so do what you love!
How to dress up a bookcase?
Dress up your bookcase by lining the back of your shelves with wallpaper! I used {this grasscloth wallpaper} on my shelves in the family room.
What keeps things interesting?
Keep things interesting with lots of different textures (like chunky baskets, coral, etc.) and finishes (different metals, colors, etc.)
Is the middle shelf simple?
The middle shelves aren’t quite as simple but I figured out a few no-fail formulas as takeaways for you to use:
How should I style a bookshelf?
Go personal: 'Books are personal items—place other personal items on your bookshelves such as framed photographs, decorative objects, and real or artificial plants for it to look less like a book store and more like a space dedicated to the things that you love and appreciate, ' suggests Murray.
How do I organize books like in a library?
Books in a library are often organized by the Dewey Decimal system in addition to being shelved in alphabetical and/or numerical order from left to right. 'Unless a person owns hundreds of books, it’s rare to see a numbering system in use in a home,' says Murray. 'To resemble a library, consider categorizing books on shelves by topic or alphabetically by author or title.'
What to put on a stack of books?
Pair With Accessories: Put those makeshift risers you just created to good use. Atop the stacks of books is an ideal place to display thrift store finds, travel souvenirs and other favorite items. Style gaps in between with lush plants, memorable photos or fun figurines.
How to make a book collection look more polished?
Make Visually Appealing: To give your collection an uncluttered and polished feel, group books with similar heights and widths together. This will create a streamlined look while still remaining functional throughout. Freshen up worn or tattered books by wrapping them in coordinating paper for an updated facelift.
Can you alphabetize books by author?
You can either alphabetize your reads by author or by title. If you have a fairly large collection, arranging by the author’s last name will help make finding what you're looking for a little easier. It’ll be like having a mini library for you (and your pals!) to choose from right in your own home.
Reading for Self-Education and Improvement
Revisiting my shelves reminded me how much efforts toward self-education and improvement have motivated my reading. According to my reading journal, at age 23 I made a list of (coincidentally) 23 authors I thought I needed to read to be considered well-read and properly educated. This would not be the last time I would make such a list.
Aspiring to Completion
I’m a completionist, or at least I aspire to be. Some authors grab and take hold in one book, compelling me to read everything they wrote. I can’t remember if it was A Farewell to Arms or For Whom the Bell Tolls that crossed my path first but whichever it was led to my attempt to read everything Ernest Hemingway wrote.
Honestly, the Movie Was Pretty Good, So Good It Made Me Read the Book
Some books I kept because they reminded me of my childhood, but I’m not referring to children’s books. I was what used to be called latch key kid. This more or less means I spent many afternoons at home alone waiting for my parents to get home from work. A significant amount of those afternoons involved watching movies.
Beautiful Blue, Cheerleaders, and Poetry
Some books I remember vividly. Often times it is story, but sometimes is something else entirely. The image of a woman in the cornflower blue skirt with the orange-red hair against a blue background was why I bought and kept Paulo Coelho’s The Witch of Portobello. I loved the story, but even if I hadn’t, I would have kept the book anyway.
How to balance books on a shelf?
At an individual shelf level, meanwhile, arranging by height with taller books on each side of the shelf can create a balanced impression.
What is a deep book shelf?
These bookshelves are deep enough to accommodate baskets as well as books and porcelain, providing additional storage for items that wouldn’t necessarily be appropriate on display .
What is a base cabinet?
A base cabinet below a bookshelf adds small living room storage for items other than favorite volumes and leaves the books themselves locatable and reachable without bending down. But there’s a further advantage to a bookshelf like this one in an interior by Sara Cosgrove Studio.
Why do you need space in the kitchen for cookbooks?
Consider, too, creating space within the kitchen for cookbooks to free up precious shelving real estate elsewhere. It’ll ensure these books are readily to hand where they’re needed , too.
How to make a contrast between books on shelves?
If there’s only space for books on your shelves? While straight lines will dominate, think about placing some books horizontally as well as shelving them vertically to create a contrast.
How to maximize book shelf space?
To maximize bookshelf space, use the area from floor to ceiling for the shelves, as well as going as wide as is possible. Go above doorways, too, for extra stash room for beloved tomes.
Do bookshelves have to be fixed?
Bookshelves don’t have to be fixed at the same height across a wall, and moving away from the expected can result in a handsome accent wall as well as accommodating collections better.
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.
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 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 .
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 .
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.
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 .
What to put on a bookcase?
Fill up your bookcases entirely with books, but reserve the top surface of the shelf for decor like artwork, plants, and interesting vessels. This can look beautiful with lower bookshelves lined up against a wall or under a window.
What was the original purpose of bookshelves?
Contrary to what Pinterest and interior design magazines would have us believe, bookshelves were actually originally made to store books (the name sort of gives it away).
What about organizing my children’s books?
Though your child may have fewer books than you, it’s surprising how quickly kids books can accumulate!
Why do you put backwards books on a bookshelf?
Look away if you’re a diehard bibliophile who needs to see every title in your collection! The “backwards books” method, ie with the book spines facing the wall, is purely for aesthetic purposes but can really help tie a bookshelf together. Especially when you have a collection of mismatched book colors, sizes and thicknesses.
What is the rule of thumb for a shelf?
A good rule of thumb is to never add any items that are smaller than an orange. Anything too small will just make the shelf look cluttered.
What to do if you have several books lined up?
If you have several books lined up that you are planning on reading, but struggle to locate them in your collection, this is a great idea. You could have a dedicated section where you group all your future reads, new purchases, or anything you’re planning on reading in the near future.
How to keep books on a deep shelf?
Don’t do this! Instead, keep the spines close to the edge of the outside edge of the shelf.
