My relationship with my books is forever. With its dog-eared pages and rust-covered covers, books do well in our tech-saturated world. Every time I look at my little library, I revel in the literary trips I’ve taken. That’s why I love to explore fresh living room bookshelf ideas for inspiration on how to arrange these bound beauties.
Usually, tips for a stylish bookshelf as follows: one-third of books, one-third of home decor and one-third of negative space. I learned this rule of thumb from interviewing countless interior designers. Mine? Go scam. Let the shelves breathe or fill them up until they’re full. Of course, you want to avoid the mess, but you can still play by your own rules. Creating on a clean palette is invigorating — and in this case, the bookshelf is your canvas.
For inspiration, I looked at Archive Visit Home to see how some of the most design-savvy women we know style their bookshelves. Each of these shelf arrangements boasts personality and charm. They are an invitation to mix colors and mementos, mix different titles and genres, and flea market found next to favorite authors.
So, taking Camille’s advice from herself recently renew the living room bookshelf: Put on a great playlist, get creative, and breathe new life into your home with these 10 ideas taken from some of our favorite spaces.
Featured image of Michelle Nash.
Image of Nikole Ramsay
#1: Look up
Leave it for Alex McCabeco-founder of home decor and textile collection Kip & Co, to boast one of the most beautiful bookshelves — ever. Everything about this setup, from the rich black industrial materials to the quirky art, impresses, but what’s particularly notable is the vertical proportions. McCabe utilizes the floor-to-ceiling estate to display her beloved books and memorabilia.
photo taken by Danielle Sabol
#2: Go minimal
A few books. Some noir collector’s items. Three minimally framed artworks. This minimalist bookshelf is set up a la Ashley Robertson is a complete dream. For one, it proves that you don’t need much to create a conversation-worthy bookshelf. It also celebrates the beauty found in allowing negative space to breathe.
Image of Molly Culver
#3: Hug upside down
Austin-based interior designer Emily Kunas She has a knack for combining colors and natural materials, as evidenced by her gorgeous and pleasing personality 70’s apartment. She also adds an unexpected twist to things: Her bookshelf boasts an extra interesting twist with the spines of the books turned inward. This look gives a textured layer of natural color.
Image of Laura Alexander
#4: Put books in the back seat
That’s right. It’s a bookshelf — but it’s also a means of displaying anything you want, be it plant, art, even negative space. Consider adding just a few books to the shelf to let the replacement pieces shine. Christina Cleveland created this decor for her Creative DIY-inspired Austin Loft.
Image of Belathee Photography
#5: Mix and match
There are no rules to be followed By Jennifer Vaughn Miller well, that’s one in a million reasons to love it. This New York-based designer mixes sizes, genres and colors, even stocking a few notebooks in his vertical bookshelf. The result is an equally eclectic and accessible look.
Image of Ashlee fox, fox
#6: Keep it neutral
We know that Anissa Zajac, co-founder of House Seven Design + Build, says to always follow a plan when it comes to interior design. For her alone Little house in Indiana, she adheres to the rule of allowing neutrals and textures to reign, which is beautifully represented in her bookshelf. With minimal books and rich textures, this is a study in the beauty of earthy accessories.
Image of Teal Thomsen
#7: Ladder problems
There is an undeniable ease inside the house of Ashley Merrill. Everything has its place and purpose, including this portable ladder that stacks the living room shelves. Leaning back against a rail that goes from one end of the shelf to the other, it allows easy access to books and memorabilia displayed at high altitudes. Brilliant and gorgeous.
Michelle Nash’s photo.
#8: Color Coding
Grouping books by cover color is an easy way to add instant dimension to a space. And when you incorporate the color-coded look in a taller bookshelf, it naturally draws the eye upwards, thus creating sitting room looks bigger.
Image by Michelle Nash
#9: Two-faced
Get noticed and admired: the two-size shelves display varying amounts of books and collectibles, as seen in Camille .’s cozy, neutral living room. These shelves vary in size while preserving space and provide ample space to display a mix of books, plants, and other small home accessories — all of which can be changed and updated Quick (and affordable) room refresh.
Image of Belathee Photography
#10: Paint shelves
Traditionally, the color of bookshelves is usually neutral wood, black or white. This makes sense, as it is often the books and ceramics on display that attract attention. But that’s not to say the shelf itself can’t attract attention, like the striking Megan O’Neill. sapphire blue bookshelf Work here. A brilliant coat of paint enhances its beauty.
#11: Crisp white
With the foregoing about a brightly painted bookshelf, a subtle array of white shelves will always do the trick for streamlining a room. Here, the combination of low frames and snowy whites ensures that color-coded books, magazines, plants and accessories capture every eye.
What’s your favorite way to style your bookshelf? Share which of these ideas would you love to try, statistics!
