Bookcases are styled in all kinds of ways with not just books, but all kinds of accessories. You can create little vignettes to showcase your style, add baskets and decorative boxes for extra storage or be a traditionalist and create a library with tons of books.
Often bookcases flank a fireplace which is the focal point of the room. Using a mix of accessories and storage with your favorite books always creates a really interesting wall. Arranging these items is where the problem starts with a lot of us. How do you tell your story or showcase your style? How do you create storage that has style and is interesting?
Here are a few examples of some beautifully styled displays.
Home Stories A to Z beautifully tells her style story with her vignettes. She uses books, candles, pictures, floral arrangements and artifacts. Notice how she places some things in front of others to create depth.
This is such a petty display and mix of elements that Room For Rent created. She shows how a basket can create storage and still be part of a lovely vignette.
Craft-0-Maniac uses a mix of elements that show off her client’s personal style and taste. Grasscloth used as a background to add texture and interest is subtle but gives the bookcase more depth.
I love how Bliss @ Home lined the back of her bookcases with dark grasscloth. This creates a really dramatic focal point to showcase all of her displays. Notice how she uses family photos and collectibles mixed in with her books and accessories.
Thrifty and Chic uses her bookcases to showcase her style as well as make it function by storing wood for the fireplace and a basket for hidden storage.
I like to mix mine up with books, collectibles and all kinds of different accessories and elements. You can use the same things over and over, just shuffle them around for a different look. I lined the back of mine with beadboard and totally changed the appearance of the whole unit. You can see that post here.
By just moving a few basic pieces you can create a totally different look. I like a mix of books, plants, pictures and collections. Stagger heights, elevate some things on books and place a few items in front of others to create depth.
Use your bookcases and shelves to not only hold books but to create a focal point in your room that allows you to display family collectibles and memories. Create something that you love to look at and others will too.
