Shelving that makes a space feel unique
Bookcases are such an easy and satisfying way to add personality to your space. As well as offering practicality in spades, they make a gorgeous centrepiece for your favourite novels, ornaments and sentimental items. And - as if you needed any more reason to love them - we’re obsessed with the endless possibilities they offer, giving you the chance to make a statement piece that’s well and truly you.
If you need any help with how to style a bookcase, we’ll get your project off to a flying start at Sharps. Whether you want shelving that’s packed end-to-end with books or you want to create a sophisticated display that brings the whole room together, there’s plenty here to get your bookcase styling on point.
1. Choose your style of bookcase
Before you even get started adding things to your shelving, let’s consider the bookcase itself. The type of shelving you choose will have an impact on the entire display, so if you want something crisp and minimalist, you might want a wood finish like our elegant Nordic Oak.
Want your ornaments to really stand out? A soft neutral will do the trick, so go with white, cream, stone and other earth tones. Or how about a vibrant colour that calls attention to the entire design?
Think about the types of ornaments you want to display because that will help you work out what depth you need for your shelves.
If you find that you need shelving that’s particularly deep, it’s well worth considering a made-to-measure bookcase to make sure everything fits nicely.
And the beauty of going bespoke is that you can tailor the fit and finish down to the smallest detail!
2. Pile up books for a stacked effect
Your books don’t always have to be regimentally lined up. Try piling them up horizontally to create a more casual feel and to guide the eye upwards in your final layout.
But don’t just stack them willy-nilly.
Always begin with the largest book on the bottom of the stack and work up, placing the smallest at the top. It’s neater, more aesthetically pleasing, and means your pile won’t fall over at some random interval!
For a little extra flair, place an ornament on top of the stack as the finishing touch. This way it will be raised up and have more prominence in your design.
3. Add extra lighting for drama
When you’re turning down the lights for the evening, bookcases can often fade into the background unnoticed. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Adding lights is a fantastic way to bring a bit of glamour to your bookcase styling.
You could add wall sconces either side of your bookcase to create a moody reading room ambience. Or you could even include a small lamp on the shelving itself to bring some warmth to your composition.
But for absolute luxury, in-built and dimmable LED lights are unbeatable. They look absolutely stunning during the evening and let you create just the right atmosphere for relaxation, reading or a night of entertaining.
4. Blend in statement ornaments
When you’re evaluating bookcase ideas, there’s one thing you should never be without… Statement ornaments are what will make your design pop, adding in bold dashes of visual interest that bring colour, structure and vibrance to the whole look. Before you begin, think about the kind of style you want to create.
For example, a luxe bookcase can benefit from warm metallics, so you can add in things like jewellery boxes, gold-painted sculptures or trinket dishes.
If your bookcase has a more naturalistic style, go for ceramics or wood-carved ornaments to add a zen feel to your look.
It’s good to have a mix of textures in your bookcase styling. You could bring in shimmering glass bottles, matt stoneware, polished glazes and wicker baskets.
The great thing about ornaments is that they can also be used as creative and stylish bookends to stop your books from slipping out of place. So a great tip is to use any heavier objects as a brace to keep everything in order.
5. Picture frames bring personality
Everything in your home is an expression of your life, so when you’re styling a bookcase, it never hurts to add in some more sentimental items.
Photos are a fantastic way to bring in a nostalgic and cosy feeling but are also a great excuse for beautiful picture frames!
Whether you’re framing family and friends or some breath-taking photography from your last holiday, placing them on your bookcase can be a much more visually appealing way to display them rather than just hanging them on the wall.
And you don’t have to go with photography - artwork can also make a bold contrast in your design so find a style you like and run with it.
6. Choose bookcases with cabinets to hide things away
If there’s things you’d rather not keep on display - like board games or old and tatty books - it’s well worth looking for bookcases with cabinets in the base.
They’re a super convenient way to hide anything that might spoil the look you’re trying to create, and on a practical note, great for storing away any stray odds and ends that might clutter up the rest of your living room.
7. Plants make it perfect
No stylish bookcase design would be complete without a little bit of plantlife.
Trailing houseplants are great for adding some vertical interest so look for vines like satin pothos and string of hearts, or more unusual succulents like burro’s tail.
If you want to keep your bookcase fairly maintenance free, small and easy to care for plants like cacti or air plants will make a fuss-free alternative.
And you can even add them to glass terrariums that look fantastic on shelving.
8. Colour-coding books brings a scheme together
When you’re learning how to style a bookcase, this is perhaps one of the best and easiest ways to make an impression. Colour coding your books - as in grouping the same colour spines together - can create an absolutely stunning rainbow effect.
And the great thing about this is that it works best when you’ve got a really extensive collection.
That being said, you can still create a chic look even if you have a smaller amount to work with.
If you’re going for a more mature or moody design, you might not want to decorate your shelves with a lot of colour.
In which case, grouping together darker book covers or plain white covers will elevate the design and create a more high-concept aesthetic.
9. Don’t forget negative space
What do all good shelving designs have in common? They’re not overcrowded.
Resist the desire to cram in every ornament and every book volume - an elegant shelving design always looks better when all of its elements are given breathing room.
The negative space around your objects will allow you to see and appreciate them as standalone features, rather than becoming visually overwhelming.
Grouping objects together in small clusters can create a particularly pleasing effect.
But give them some wiggle room before bringing in other ornaments.
10. Display books in a creative way
You might be thinking ‘should I stack my books horizontally or vertically?’ but the truth is you don’t have to stick with just one or the other. The best way to decorate shelves is with a mix of the two orientations, peppering in ornaments in-between to break up the visuals.
You can even give it a playful, more casual feel by having some of them leaning to one side, as if you just pulled a book straight off the shelf, ready for an afternoon of reading.
This looks especially captivating when you have a large library and you want to give it a touch of extra character.
Keep it varied. Keep it interesting. And let each shelf space be its own unique composition.
11. Work vinyls into your design
Aside from reading, let’s not forget that other great soul food: music. Your vinyl collection will make a wonderful addition to your bookshelf decor, so make sure you get all of your favourite albums and EPs on show to really bring in some flavour.
And the great thing about modern vinyls is that they come in so many stunning colours. From glow-in-the-dark records to bright neon designs, they can be added to special frames that will really make your bookcase stand out.
12. Don’t be afraid to edit
When you think you’re done, stand as far back as you can to get the full effect.
When you take in the complete view of your design, it’ll give you a better idea of what to keep and what to change.
Is it too saturated with colour or feel a bit flat and lifeless? Does it look crammed in or sparse?
Take your time and tweak the finer details until you’re happy with the visual balance. Sometimes just switching around the elements can make all the difference.
High quality shelving designed to last
To summarise, when looking at how to style a bookcase you should consider the finish of your shelving first, then start to add in features that will enhance its style.
Add in your books (as if we needed to remind you!) and then work ornaments, plants and other decorative features in between to break up the overall design and create interest. And if there’s anything you want to change, don’t forget to tweak and edit as needed.
If you want more inspiration, make sure to take a look at our elegant fitted bookcases at Sharps. Our team can help you to make storage that’s truly bespoke so you can enjoy one-of-a-kind furniture made around your home’s personality.
