In the living room, an entryway, or even in the bedroom, the bookshelf is a piece of furniture that easily finds its place in our interiors. Whether you prefer it to be massive or, on the contrary, rather slim and discreet, it should not be neglected to avoid becoming too visually overwhelming. Books have a strong decorative potential, so it is necessary to know how to use them correctly to fully enjoy them!
Discover our decor ideas to style your bookshelf with flair (and even make it Instagrammable!).
Priority to beautiful books
Let’s face it: the paperback books of our youth do not have the same aesthetic value as a beautiful art or photography book! The best thing to do is to place your beautiful books at eye level and in the upper part of your bookshelf. Your gaze will be automatically drawn to them.
For a more dynamic look, feel free to play with different stack formats: we are used to placing our books vertically, but you can also create horizontal compositions or display some beautiful copies face out to showcase the cover.
Mix books & decorative objects
Sure, you lose a bit of storage space for your books, but you gain decoratively! A bookshelf is an invitation to relax and enjoy moments of pleasure. Therefore, it is imperative that it is pleasant to browse through.
Pictures, mirrors, small sculptures: your most beautiful decorative objects will surely find their place alongside your favorite books.
Add a touch of greenery to your bookshelf
Yes: green plants also have their place alongside decorative objects and beautiful books! You can opt for small specimens, but also for trailing plants, cacti, or succulents. The advantage is that they will bring a touch of life to your space while also making it more dynamic.
And if you happen to not have a green thumb, think about artificial plants! You can find some very beautiful ones on the market. Also consider dried flower bouquets, paired with a nice designer vase.
Organize your books by color
Absolutely adorable in a child’s room, but also totally trendy for adults, organizing books by color takes time and precision, but the result is so lovely that you might be tempted to try it!
Add ambient lighting
By playing with ambient lighting in your bookshelf, you will make your space even cozier. For this, you can use various light fixtures: a table lamp, a small string of lights, a wall sconce directly integrated into your bookshelf, or a beautiful floor lamp to define a reading corner.
Bookshelf decoration: adopt beautiful boxes
We always have small things lying around that we don’t know where to put. If your bookshelf allows it, adopt a few pretty decorative boxes that can serve as catch-alls.
This tip will help you maintain order in your room while also bringing a certain dynamism to your bookshelf.
Refine the decoration of your bookshelf with personal objects
Finally, nothing beats personal objects with great sentimental value to refine the decoration of your bookshelf. Whether it’s a frame with family photos, your children’s drawings, or travel souvenirs, these little elements will give even more character to your space.
Featured image: a bookshelf designed by Maison Sarah Lavoine.