How To Style A Bookshelf

Bookshelves add life, colour and personality to a room. You can create a beautiful focal point in the simplest room by either adding a freestanding bookshelf or using space in the wall framing to create a built-in, recessed one. You want people to ponder over your shelves and spend time discovering things, so make the display personal to you and your interior style. Gather objects together from throughout your home - this can include framed photographs or art, books, ceramics, vases, objects, glassware, plants and candles. Then begin to group and edit them to create one overall arrangement - here are my top tips on how.

1. Imagine your bookshelf like a grid and create separate small settings that together create one complete look - take a look at the image I styled above and you’ll begin to notice the grid layout.

2. Start by adding the larger foundation pieces like books. Stack some horizontally and some vertically to create different shapes.

TIP: IF YOU HAVE ITEMS TO STORE ADD BOXES OR BASKETS TO KEEP THEM ORGANISED

3. Add art – framed pieces towards the back of your bookshelf create depth and pattern.

4. Add sculptural items with organic shapes to break up all the lines of a bookcase.

5. Create a theme for your bookshelf. Add one or two accent colours and group items of similar colour to create a cohesive look.

TIP: LEAVE SOME BREATHING SPACE SO THE OVERALL EFFECT DOESN’T LOOK TOO CLUTTERED

6. Play with scale and vary the heights and sizes of objects to avoid a clutter of similar sized objects.

7. Bring in nature with a plant or vase of flowers.