If you’ve ever stood in front of an empty built-in or bookshelf wondering how to style it, without it looking too cluttered or too sparse- you’re not alone. Styling shelves is one of those things that looks effortless, but actually takes intention, layering, and a bit of design know-how. As an interior designer, I’m asked about bookshelf styling all the time, so I thought putting together a detailed guide would be helpful! Whether you’re working with custom built-ins or a freestanding, readymade bookcase, I’m sharing my go-to shelf styling tips that will leave your shelves looking curated, timeless, and unique to your personal style and interests.
In the past, I’ve shared detailed styling posts on this topic… like 10 tips for shelf styling with lots of books, but I’ve never posted a general guide with the basics and essentials. I was excited to pull this together and it inspired me to give my own shelves a little refresh!
How Shelf Styling Elevates Your Home
Built-ins and bookshelves are an extension of your home’s architecture, and they’re often a focal point. When styled well, they can make a room feel polished, interesting, and complete. Think of them as an opportunity to inject personality, texture, and story into your space. However, this doesn’t mean filling every inch with trinkets. It’s all about balance, contrast, and cohesion. That’s where I can help! I’ve got a formula of sorts for you…
My Step-by-Step Guide to Bookshelf Styling
1. Start with a Clean Slate
Clear everything off your shelves. This gives you the freedom to rethink your arrangement and make intentional decisions. It also helps you rediscover items that deserve a spot and those that may not make the cut.
2. Gather Your Shelf Styling Essentials
Before diving in, I like to shop my home and gather a mix of items. When you have everything laid out, in your field of vision, it’s easier to pick and choose which objects make the most sense.
- Books (obviously)
- Artwork or framed pieces
- Vases & vessels
- Decorative objects (sculptural or sentimental)
- Boxes or baskets for texture and warmth
- Candles or natural elements (wood bowls, greenery, marble trays, etc)
Pro tip: I always recommend a mix of vertical and horizontal elements to guide the eye and create movement.
3. Use Books As The Foundation
Books are your best styling friends. Stack them horizontally to act as risers, lean them vertically for height, or use them to anchor other objects. Mix spine colors (I prefer to remove the jackets) or flip books backward for a neutral, monochromatic look (only if you won’t need to read the titles often). I don’t mind the occasional book flip for texture or seasonal styling, but it’s a very controversial and oddly divisive topic.
4. Layer Objects with Varying Heights & Textures
Once the books are in place, begin layering other elements. Pull selections from the objects you gathered:
- A ceramic vase on a stack of books
- A small framed work of art leaning against the back of the shelf
- A decorative bowl beside a vertical row of books, that acts as a bookend
- Sculptural busts or other objects that nod to your personality or aesthetic
- Decorative items you’ve gathered from your travels
Use a combination of matte and shiny finishes, soft and structured shapes- it adds depth and visual interest.
5. Create Negative Space
Negative space is your friend! Not every shelf needs to be packed (unless you’re going for a maximalist aesthetic). Leave breathing room around vignettes so your eyes can rest and appreciate the styling. This keeps things feeling calm and collected- not chaotic.
6. Balance Symmetry and Asymmetry
It’s tempting to make each shelf a mirror image of the next, but a mix of symmetry and asymmetry is more natural. Aim for visual weight to be evenly distributed across the whole unit, rather than making every individual shelf identical. This is where an eye for design is crucial. Make edits so it doesn’t feel predictable or cookie cutter.
Shelf Styling for Different Rooms
These same bookshelf styling principles apply across the board- whether you’re working in a living room, hallway, home office, or even open kitchen shelving. Here are a few quick notes by space:
Living Room Built-Ins
Layer in items with warmth and texture- like wood accents, ceramics, and collected books. Don’t be afraid to add framed art or family photos to make it feel personal or eclectic.
Office or Library Shelves
Function meets form here. Display your most-used or most-loved books that are relevant to your hobbies, interests, or career. You could even consider sorting by category, if you’re referencing these materials often. Use decorative boxes to organize clutter like cords, chargers, or office supplies.
Open Kitchen Shelving
Kitchen shelving is probably the easiest to style because you’re using functional, everyday items that double as decor… cookbooks, dishes, glassware, pantry jars, aesthetically pleasing kitchen tools (like vintage rolling pins), etc.
Common Bookshelf Styling Mistakes to Avoid
- Too many small objects. A bunch of tiny items can feel busy and overwhelming. Group them together on a tray or corral them within a bowl for a stylized look.
- Ignoring scale. Everything the same size is visual snooze. It just doesn’t work. Mix tall, short, wide, and narrow pieces for a collected and curated aesthetic.
- Lack of cohesion. Choose a color palette and stick loosely to it. Neutral bases with pops of a few accent colors tend to work best. You can also find cohesion in texture or subject matter… some underlying thread.
- Lack of books. Bookshelves were built to hold books, and I think too many shelves are styled with too few books. They’re really the foundation for shelf styling, and if you’re into the maximalist look- you can really lean into books for texture, color, and interest.
Timeless Tips for a Curated Look
- Incorporate odd numbers—groups of three and five are more visually appealing.
- Layer in vintage or collected pieces to add character.
- Keep it seasonally neutral so your styling lasts longer without needing constant updates.
- Use consistent spacing between shelves to keep things feeling architectural.
- Take a step back often while styling… seeing the whole picture seriously helps!
FAQ
Stick to a defined color palette, group similar items, leave negative space, and avoid overfilling. Less is more, if you’re trying to avoid clutter.
Shop your home! Rearranging what you already have can breathe new life into your shelves. Thrifted books, flea market finds, or DIY art can also make a big impact.
Use larger objects to scale up the space. Oversized art, larger ceramics, and substantial art work well. Don’t be afraid to stack or layer. Thinking in shapes or “filling forms” can be helpful for styling large-scale shelf vignettes.
There’s no rule! For me, it depends on my mood. My home office shelves stay styled the same year round, while the built-ins in our formal living room change more frequently. I really enjoy restyling those in a more dramatic way for the holiday season. Sometimes I just feel the need for a creative reset and shelves are an easy way to do that. Small changes make a big impact!
I think there is a place for both! Personally, I love the messy (undone) look, even though it gets a bad rep. I took that approach in my home office (pictured below) and enjoy the casual, organic aesthetic it adds.
Related
Looking for more interior and home styling posts? I’m going to link some favorites for you below. Hopefully they’ll give you a good starting point…
- The Best Coffee Table Shapes for Every Sofa Style (With Easy Examples)
- How to Design a Cohesive Home That Flows Room to Room
- Sofa and Accent Chair Pairings
- 10 Tulip Styling Ideas & Arrangements for Spring
- How to Choose the Best Picture Light for Your Artwork
- Designer Tips for Making Outlets & Light Switch Plates Look Better
- Timeless Tips for a Bedroom Refresh- Without Renovating
- Affordable Window Treatments For a Custom Designer Look
- Ideas for Styling Crystal Table Lamps
Bookshelf styling doesn’t have to be intimidating. With a few guiding principles and a little trial and error, you can create beautifully curated built-ins that feel cohesive, timeless, and reflective of your personality and aesthetic. Bookmark this post and come back to it anytime you need a refresh! Speaking of… we’re just getting home from multiple days spent rafting and tent camping- and I’ve never been more thankful for a clean, beautiful, and comfortable home.
The post How to Style a Bookshelf: Easy Designer-Approved Tips for a Curated Look appeared first on Room For Tuesday.
