Beautiful Bookshelves

Organizing bookshelves can be a fun and rewarding task, combining aesthetics with organizing. Here are some tips to help you create beautiful and functional bookshelves:

De-clutter

Start by removing all books and items from the shelves. That literally means all, not just a single shelf, empty the whole area because you need to start with a blank slate. As you take everything off, sort through your books and other items, deciding what you want to keep, donate, or discard.

The best way we’ve found to decide about items is by their significance. If you thought the vase was a cool item when you bought it back in college, but it doesn’t hold significance for you, you can probably part with it, or store it away. If you know you’ll never re-read that paperback, donate it to the library.

Grouping

There are many ways to group books – by genre, author, size, or color – it all depends on your preference. Color is a great way to shelve children’s books – ROYGBIV rainbows! It works for adult books too, but isn’t always the easiest way to find that one book you’re searching for so make sure you choose what’s right for YOU – how do you want to find the book you’re after?

Setup

As you load the shelves again, maintain a balance between open and filled spaces. You want to have breathing room on the shelves to keep them from looking cluttered. Create symmetry by placing similar items on each side or by balancing large books with smaller decorative items. Consider arranging books both vertically and horizontally for visual interest, alternating stacking and traditional vertical placement. Change up how you organize the books, by height from one end, tallest in the middle, or a random mix. Then step back and make sure the overall feel seems balanced.

Style

Intersperse your books with decorative items such as vases, sculptures, or framed photos. If the items vary in height, color and texture it will create more visual interest. Make sure to incorporate personal items like travel souvenirs or family heirlooms to infuse your personality into the display. Bookends can be both functional and decorative. They help keep books upright and can add style to the shelves. Opt for more stylized ones as decor items, or use flat metal ones to simply keep books for toppling over.

If your bookshelves have a backing, consider painting it a complimentary color or using a fun wallpaper to add interest. Opt for a color or pattern that complements your overall room decor. As you style the shelves, keep in mind that they are a big part of your space, and they should help tell your story and represent who you are.

By combining these tips, you can transform your bookshelves into both a functional storage space and a visually pleasing focal point in your room.
Let’s work together to streamline your home. Contact us for home organizing help if you’d like a partner to get you going.