We all have great possessions that we have collected over time but sometimes when we assemble them together, they look anything but pretty let alone interesting. So, how can you group them together to make them look expensive, interesting and visually awesome? You don’t have to go and buy an entire bookshelf full of new decor. Although, you may need to buy a few things though to help tie together your beloved possessions. Here’s a few solutions to common problems.
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Bookshelf Styling 101- You have a lot of books, old, new, different sizes, different colours…
Sort your books by size then place the same sized books on one shelf.
You can also sort these books from white to black colours, left to right. Starting with white spines, then yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, blue, green, brown, black.
Don’t be afraid of turning books on their sides to create interest.
Failing all that, if you still think they look terrible, why not make a loose cover with kraft paper or another decorative paper and re- label them!
2. Bookshelf Styling 101 -I need to store books as well as lots of little bits and pieces.
For all those little things that don’t necessarily have to be on display, hide them in decorative boxes, crates or bags. You can use woven rush baskets, cardboard paper storage boxes from Officeworks, wooden crates or canvas/ cotton bags. The trick is to alternate the books with the other storage boxes so they create interest.
3. Bookshelf Styling 101 –I have books, little things as well as larger things like blankets, knitting kits and extra crockery.
So you’ll need larger containers, obviously. If your blankets match your theme you can fold them up neatly and add them to the very bottom or very top of your bookshelf. If they don’t match your theme, you can buy some fabric from spotlight that does and wrap them neatly in that.
Use a stack of side lying books as a pedestal to display an ornament or picture frame.
4. Bookshelf Styling 101 – Create A Theme
If you haven’t already guessed from the previous images, bookshelves look great when there is an apparent theme or colour scheme. If you look at the images in this post, the items and books have been arranged with colour, texture and shape in mind. If you have organised your bookshelf and it still looks dull, go out and buy a collection of new items and create a theme. It could be vintage, cooking, metalware, a particular colour, glassware like vases, organic (baskets, rope, twigs, cactus, shells) etc. Look at all the photos here and see if you can pick the theme, it just might spark a new bookshelf styling bonanza!
