Expert-Level Decorating Ideas for a Stylish Display

On the surface, adorning a bookshelf may appear to be a simple task. You arrange your beloved books in a tidy row, and you’re done. While this straightforward approach is perfectly functional, it’s important to recognize that a bookshelf offers ample opportunities for creative expression. That’s why we’re excited to present some advanced bookshelf decor ideas that can elevate your bookshelf from functional storage to a visually captivating focal point.

Bookshelves are versatile canvases, capable of displaying cherished knickknacks, framed artwork, potted plants, and an array of other items in a carefully curated collage. The joy of decorating bookshelves lies in the art of styling each object to make it both distinct and harmoniously integrated into a unique and personal palette. If you’re looking for inspiration on how to transform your bookshelves into functional yet stylish displays, you’re in the right place. We’ve gathered eight creative ideas from experts who approached bookshelf design with individuality, resulting in shelves that are not only practical but also visually captivating. Explore their strategies and take away some valuable ideas to apply in your own home.

Elevate Books to Art Status

Architect Nicholas Potts faced a unique challenge when redesigning his 950-square-foot Washington D.C. apartment shared with art curator Aaron Wile. Their vast book collection needed efficient storage while maintaining accessibility for research. Potts devised a solution using a cantilevered shelving support system, creating clean lines of books across extensive stretches of wall. This approach simplified their daily search for books while turning the colorful book spines into a work of art within their otherwise minimalistic space.

Integrate Shelves into the Walls

If you have an extensive book collection like Potts and Wile, you may consider incorporating built-in shelves into your living space. Potts viewed this as an opportunity to sculpt the walls to serve multiple purposes, not merely as storage. The clean lines and contained quality of these shelves introduce personality to the room. Additionally, because the shelves extend from floor to ceiling, they create a sense of height, enhancing the overall aesthetic.

Transform Toys into Sculptural Decor

In children’s spaces, bookshelves often serve multiple functions: playrooms, study areas, and cozy havens for rest. Designer Becky Shea offers valuable advice on styling shelves in such versatile environments. While decorating the shelves in the room depicted above, she incorporated dinosaurs and building blocks, showcasing how toys can contribute to the room’s aesthetics. Shea’s guidance applies to shelving in any room, emphasizing the importance of balancing decor elements with a mix of heights, colors, and textures that harmonize with the overall design. Taking time to assess and adjust placements is key to achieving a visually pleasing arrangement.

Seasonal Rotation for Freshness

When completing the decor for a bathroom’s shelves, designer Becky Shea opted for a mix of practical items like towels alongside more seasonal pieces. She believes in using bookshelves as dynamic displays that can be refreshed with the changing seasons. By incorporating items like spring flowers and holiday candles, the shelves remain vibrant and avoid feeling stagnant. This approach allows for seasonal updates without the need for a complete redesign, offering a delightful and ever-changing home environment.

Explore Unconventional Decor Elements

While it’s common to adorn bookshelves with flowers and candles, Shea introduces an unexpected detail in this bedroom: twigs. These readily available materials, often found just outside your doorstep, provide both height and texture to the shelving display. What’s more, they outlast traditional bouquets. Keep an eye out for uniquely shaped twigs throughout the year, especially around the holidays, to infuse organic visual interest into your decor.

Highlight Small Paintings

Small paintings, whether created by an undiscovered household artist or a professional, can be showcased beautifully on a bookshelf. Leaning or hanging a painting against the back wall adds a touch of sophistication and can be easily swapped out when new art pieces come into your possession. Designer Linette Dai illustrates this by featuring a simple yet striking artwork as a subtle style element, even in a corner. Dai also suggests a styling tip: “Rather than filling the entire shelf with books, try consolidating a stack of books on opposite sides of two shelves for visual balance.”

Maximize Extra Storage Space

When decorating bookshelves, designer Alexandra Gater goes beyond books, greenery, and art—she utilizes them as storage solutions. Gater suggests viewing bookshelves as an extension of your storage capacity. Transform your cutest shoes into a display, introduce decorative baskets, and embrace the concept of blending function with style. This approach allows you to make the most of your bookshelves, turning them into practical and aesthetically pleasing storage solutions.

Illuminate the Shelves

Since bookshelves often hold items you want to showcase and may be situated in dimly lit corners, adding a lamp is a smart choice. In this example by designer Emily Henderson, a round black lamp not only complements the overall style but also provides functional lighting when needed. Even on smaller bookshelves, a small table lamp can create a cozy ambiance and offer ambient illumination to the surrounding area. If electrical outlets are scarce, consider battery-powered options or play with brightly colored cords to add a playful touch while ensuring your bookshelf shines with light.