By Maggie York
Bookshelves are one of my favorite surfaces to style but I know sometimes it can be overwhelming to achieve the look you want. They are a huge focal point in any room so it is important to get it right! Here are simple tips to help you create functional yet balanced shelves with personality!
- Remove everything from your existing shelves. It is always best to start with a clean slate and then gather your materials. Books, vases, baskets, bowls, and boxes are great! Sculptural objects and artwork are also really interesting to incorporate. I love to lean small framed artwork in the shelves or even hang a larger piece on the bookshelves themselves.
- Place your larger items first such as baskets, vases, and coffee table books. You can stack your books vertically or horizontally. Look for affordable coffee table books that are slightly used on amazon or thrift stores.
- Fill the spaces in between with your smaller items. Create groupings of 2 objects and groupings of 3 objects to keep your shelves looking well balanced. Don’t be afraid to mix metals and use texture such as baskets to soften them!
Photography by Erin Westermeyer Miller
- Keep it collected! I love to mix old with new, shiny objects with dull, and color with neutral. This will keep your shelves from looking too one note and don’t use anything you aren’t in love with. Fill your shelves with the items you love!
- Take a step back and take a look. Make adjustments until it is just right and then take that perfect shelfie!
