How to Style a Functional Bookshelf

I love books. Like seriously love books. So my bookshelves are, of course, filled with books. It’s a functional thing… but it doesn’t really catch the eye the way a well-styled bookshelf does. You know the ones I’m talking about – when you visit someone else’s home, and their gorgeous bookcase has about 10 color-coordinated books on it along with beautiful matching decor? It’s a magazine-worthy look, to be sure. But when I see those kinds of bookcases, I can’t help but think, seriously… where would I put ALL my books on that thing? So today I’m showing off how to style a functional bookcase, and show you mine!

You don’t have to give up your books in favor of style, but don’t give up style over function, either! There truly is a balance, and these five tips will help you find it.

1. Variety. The key to a great-looking bookshelf is visual variety. There is exactly one type of person out there who loves neatly alphabetized rows of books, and that’s avid book lovers. But when it comes to home decor, variety is important – and remember, you can choose accents that speak to you, personally. There’s more to YOU than the books you love, after all! I also love nature, so I incorporated natural elements that I picked up at Target! Wood bookends, faux succulents, stone, linen, and animal figurals all tie together nicely.

Another way to add variety to your bookshelf is to play around with the orientation, and try stacking some horizontally! If you’re a hardcore book lover, then you already know you can fit more books stacked horizontally than those you stack vertically, and the titles are easier to read, too. But another great advantage to horizontal books is that you can use them as bookends to stabilize your vertical books. Arranging them horizontally next to bins that you pull out often is a great way to keep your books from falling over

2. Incorporate storage. Storage is totally practical and a great way to hide those odds and ends you can’t figure out where to put. A large basket or bin can hold a blanket, smaller bins hold movies, mementos, supplies like flash drives, gaming controllers, papers, and more! Everything that clutters up the top of your bookshelf now can be put into a bin instead to tidy up.

3. Lighten things up. I added this fabulous white porcelain lantern that I found on my last trip to Target with an LED candle to my bookshelf. It’s a gorgeous shape, it matches the white elements I added to brighten up the dark wood for spring, and it’s a great size to balance the other home decor items. If you’re not the lantern-type, you could also store real candles when they’re not in use on your bookshelf, especially if you enjoy candles in decorative holders.

4. Make the most of your space. You may think of this as a 3-shelf book case, but you actually have 4 shelves to work with – you can put books on top, too! Stack books, or use a pair of bookends to support the titles you love to have right at eye-level. Adding a blend of things you need, like lamps, and things you love, like planters, photos, and more helps you make the most of your storage space. Use books to vary the height of your favorite elements (which you can change seasonally) so that the eye is drawn to a well-balanced collection.

5. Finally – be yourself. People will learn a lot about you by looking at your bookcase, like what (or if) you like to read, and the elements and themes that are special to you. A great mix of decor AND your favorite books is a great way to show off who you are, so don’t be afraid of picking up home decor items that appeal to you by wondering where you’ll put them, or what they might match with. You know what I’m talking about, I bet you’ve been there! I can picture it now: you’re on your weekly Target run, browsing the decor aisle, and you’re thinking about putting that vase or figural into your cart, because you just love it, and Target has such great prices on trendy decor. Don’t second-guess where it will go. If you love it, get it! Your bookshelf is a GREAT place to show off those treasures because they’re surrounded by all your other favorite things.

Do you have any other tips for styling a great bookshelf? Let me know in the comments below!

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