22 Ways to Style Your Bookshelf Like a Designer

Don’t limit your display to books. Take note from design firm Living With Lolo and layer in art, sculptures, houseplants and any decorative items that showcase your personality.

For this slim bookshelf, designer Megan Evans organizes hardcover books in rainbow order, designating one tier to each color. She starts with red on top and swaps purple for pink on the bottom shelf.

A floor-to-ceiling built-in provides the perfect opportunity to showcase decor that reflects your interests and hobbies. Here, designer Bria Hammel incorporates two tennis rackets and a few small trophies.

For visual interest, arrange books of various heights and thickness. Take note from Outline Interiors and weave in decor of various sizes — think meaningful art, sculptures and knick-knacks. Aim for every shelf to have a different number of items to make it look more curated than styled.

From vases and figurines to artwork, this floor-to-ceiling bookcase is full of eye-catching antiques. Design firm JAM adds a rolling ladder to make high-up shelving more accessible, which allows the homeowners to rearrange decor as their collection grows.

If your bookshelf is positioned in a sunny location, it’s a stylish place for houseplants to thrive. Mix small greens and succulents amongst your books, or dedicate the entire top shelf to larger plants like this setup from Outline Interiors.

Overloading shelves can give the illusion of clutter. Instead, leave empty space on each shelf and let the eye focus its attention on your best decor.

Add personality to any bookshelf with funky sculptures, colorful trinkets and books you’ve actually read. Arrange books of various shapes and sizes, even stacking small decorative items on top if you’re going for an eclectic look.

See more at Style by Emily Henderson »

Lean into a traditional approach and let a collection of dictionaries and encyclopedias act as home office decor, just as Maestri Studio does here. Don’t forget to sprinkle in personal items, like family photos, accolades and a college diploma.

From a framed diploma to a brass tea set, this well-styled étagère brings charm to this office space. There are also bins, a large chest and file organizer for extra storage.

Miss traveling abroad? Use your bookshelf to showcase some of the global-inspired curios you’ve collected over the years. Finish the look by placing a few globes on an upper shelf to stay on theme.

From the model rocket and sky globe to moon books, this home office brings in a playful theme that doesn’t overpower the room. The mix of art, sculptures, bottles and faux plants adds a ton of personality to the space.

See more at Christene Holder Home »

Thanks to baby-blue penny tiles, these custom office shelves, which are inspired by a mid-century modern credenza, are the perfect old-meets-new-look.

Accessories boasting pops of soft pink, robin’s egg blue and lemon yellow are a brilliant choice for a spring shelf upgrade.

Use rustic shelves to highlight a treasured china collection. Balance the display with color-coordinated books, then elevate the look with artwork hung over shelves.

Bring in colorful fabric bins to not only elevate your bookshelf, but provide additional storage. Store toys, wire or household essentials in nearby bins without sacrificing style.