Bookcases: Not Just for Books

One of my current projects is giving this bookcase a much-needed makeover.

{I can't believe I just showed you that mess!}

And my last post talked a little bit about adding color to the backs of bookcases...

So I guess I've kinda got bookcases on the brain lately.

One aspect of home decorating that can be a little tricky is accessorizing your bookcases,

so I thought I'd write a post offering some helpful tips
on how to make your bookcases more visually appealing.

First of all, bookcases are not just for books.

Unless, of course, you want your room to look like a library...

{Source: Apartment Therapy via Pinterest}

or you can pull off a cool look like this...

 {Source: Elle Decor}

 I know, it's tempting to shove every book you own in your bookcase.
After all, they are meant to store books, right?


Most often, however, a bookcase stuffed full of books makes the shelves look cluttered 

and throws off the balance of a room.

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to decorating...

But, a good rule of thumb is to shoot for filling only 1/3 or less of your bookcase with books.

So how do you know which books to display???

Hardbound books look classier for displaying, so store the paperbacks elsewhere.

Consider the color palette of the room.
Which books will add to the overall aesthetic appeal of your space?

{Source: Real Simple}

{Source: Real Simple}

Don't be afraid to remove dust jackets.

Often times, books are hiding pretty colors under their jackets.

Consider what you love...
your book choices should be a reflection of you, your hobbies, your interests. 

{Source: HGTV}

{Source: Real Simple}

Once you've chosen which books to display, now how do you organize them?

Try to arrange books not only standing vertically, but stacked horizontally as well.

{Source: Room Remix Blog via Pinterest}

For an unexpected look, you can also turn the books around so that they pages are facing you.

{Source: Loft and  Cottage Blog} 

Try placing the books in groups of five or ten.
It adds visual interest and keeps the bookcase from becoming repetitive.

Make sure the books don’t line up shelf after shelf. Place some to the right of the shelf, and on the next shelf try splitting two or three books on the left and the right. 

Placing some books in baskets or bins also breaks up repetitiveness.

{Source: The Lettered Cottage}

If you're going for a cottage-y look, you can cover your books in white or tan paper.

{Source: Southern Living}

I've filled up 1/3 of my bookcase with books. What about the other two-thirds??

To keep your bookcase from looking cluttered,
it's a good idea to leave another 1/3 as empty space.

The final third should be filled with carefully chosen accessories.
Accessories that reflect you and the style of your room.

 {Source: HGTV}

As Nate Berkus says, the best decorated rooms are rooms that have been
"collected over time."
What that means is, don't rush out and buy a bunch of accessories all at once to fill your shelves.
Instead, display objects that you have collected on various travels,
things that are meaningful to you and your family,
family heirlooms,
things you love.

{Source: The Lettered Cottage}

{Source: Phoebe Howard}

When placing your accessories in the bookshelves,
consider height and depth as well as placement.

Vary the height of objects by placing them on top of stacked books or decorative boxes.

{Source: HGTV}

To add some depth, tall objects,
such as plates, framed pictures, trays, and pieces of art
should be placed at the back of the shelves to serve as a backdrop for your display.

 {Source: Real Simple}

{Source: Design Sponge}

Be careful of of tiny tchotchkes as they tend to create a cluttered look too.

Instead, choose bigger bolder accessories that can be seen from across the room.

You can give smaller items more presence by collecting them in a pretty container,
such as a glass jar filled with old photos or a pretty bowl filled with stones.

{Source: Pottery Barn}

And don't be afraid to add some color or texture to spice up your bookcase...

 {Source: Ideal Home Magazine}

Wallpaper and paint are cheap ways to dress up a plain bookcase.

 {Source: Real Simple}

As Elizabeth Mayhew from House Beautiful stated,

"Don't just fill your shelves. Color them, arrange them, decorate them, dress them, personalize them. The books you store on your shelves are just the beginning."