• Home
    • Recipes
      • Breakfast
      • Hors D’Oeuvres
      • Entrees
        • Beef
        • Chicken
        • Lamb
        • Pasta
        • Pizza
        • Pork
        • Salads
        • Sandwiches
        • Seafood
        • Soups
        • Vegetarian
      • Side Dishes
      • Desserts
      • Cocktails
    • Style
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
      • Winter
    • Home
      • Two Lakes Lodge
      • The Thomas House
      • DIY
      • Entertaining
      • Home Decor
      • Organization
    • Travel
    • Holidays
    • Shop
      • Shop Instagram
      • Shop Liketoknow.it
      • Shop DeLeon Midwest
    • About
      • About
      • FAQ
      • Disclosure Policy
      • Let’s Collaborate!
    • [ NSALE 2023 HUB ]

    The Charming Detroiter

    Home Decor•Organization

    How to Style a Bookshelf

    September 17, 2015

    How to Style a Bookshelf | The Charming Detroiter

    Sometimes home decor can be a big challenge. Like styling a bookshelf: I can look at a shelf and know that I got it “wrong” in terms of decor, but how do you know when you get it “right?” It can be quite a challenge to find that piece like that fits just perfectly in your vignette. Here are some tips I’ve learned along the long road that has been the process of decorating our home!

    Styling Tips

    How to Style a Bookshelf | The Charming Detroiter

    Recently I wrote a post about how to style a dining room buffet. That article has a few tips for how to style a buffet, and these can be applied to other areas of your home as well. Here are a few more pieces of advice for styling bookshelves:

    1. Group similar objects together. This helps to create a cohesive look on the shelf, which is pleasing to the eye. For example, grouping books together creates spaces to display memorable items, such as in the above photo. Grouping bottles together allows you to store several collections of objects together, connecting them within one vignette.

    2. Use similar color schemes. This goes hand-in-hand with tip #1. Using objects that are in the same color family allows your shelf to have an overall cohesive look, while allowing individual items to pop on a neutral background. For example, on these shelves I kept all of the books within the same cool blue and neutral beige/gray/white tones for the most part. This allows items like my black alarm clock and nautical rope ball to stand out.

    3. Look for functionality in some of your pieces. At the end of the day, you will love your shelving unit even more if it not only looks beautiful but functions well for your lifestyle. Think about the things that you do in this room: what can you store here that would be useful? For example, we have wooden boxes that I hand-painted in which we store photos from our travels. I love having them within arms reach whenever we want to reminisce about our first ever vacation together (Playa del Carmen, Mexico!).

    4. Create a theme that is meaningful to you. Throughout this shelving unit I have items that are not only beautiful but thoughtful. A large oversized bowl holds drift wood we have found together and a set of beautiful nautical glass buoy balls that we purchased at a small local shop near my fiancé’s family cottage. A small glass jar holds sand from a vacation we took to Anna Maria Island several years ago. A piece of white coral reminds me of my love for the water and my fiancé’s love for all things saltwater-fish-tank. This nautical/water theme is not only cohesive throughout the shelving unit, but something that is meaningful to both myself and my fiancé. Having such a connection to your decor can make it more beautiful than anything!

    How to Style a Bookshelf | The Charming Detroiter

    Items to Look For

    1. Coffee table books. Check under the book jacket so you can see 1) what the condition of the actual cover is, and 2) what color the actual cover of the book is. I prefer to style my books without the dust jacket, but that is just my style preference, it is totally up to you! If you aren’t sure, you can always give it a try. Take all the dust jackets off your books and style your shelf. Keep it that way for a week or so to see how you like it. One tip: I have a bag up in my office closet filled with all my book dust jackets in case I ever change my mind or ever want to sell a coffee table book in my Etsy store. My favorite place to go for great coffee table books is estate sales and antique stores. Etsy also has some great options!

    How to Style a Bookshelf | The Charming Detroiter

    2. Regular sized reading books. This can be a challenge, because for me I like to have books that are both interesting to me and the fiancé in terms of their content, and also that fit into the color scheme I am working with. I always check under the dust jacket of these books also to see their colors, and tend to stay towards the neutral tones because they will go in any room. The exception is if I find a book I absolutely love in terms of the content or author, I will usually buy it and try to fit it in somewhere. After all, design isn’t about perfection, it’s about loving your home and all of the things you have collected within it!

    How to Style a Bookshelf | The Charming Detroiter

    3. “Bookends.” This category is in quotations because it can mean actual bookends, or it can mean other objects that you love that can serve the dual purpose of acting as a bookend. For example, I purchased a set of brass hunting dog bookends because my fiancé and I both love dogs and both had family dogs in the past who were in the hunting family. However, our boxes filled with photos also can serve as bookends. This is a great area in which to get creative!

    4. Jars and bottles. I love to find pretty mason jars or bottles at thrift stores and estate sales. This is a great way to showcase your collections of smaller items. For example, on our office bookshelves I have a collection of corked jars that hold office-y items: paperclips, pushpins, etc. Buy bottles or jars with a similar style in order to give your collection a cohesive look!

    How to Style a Bookshelf | The Charming Detroiter

    Now it’s your turn: what are your favorite bookshelf styling tips? Share with me by commenting below!

    How to Style a Bookshelf | The Charming Detroiter

    bookshelf styling home decor living room

    1
    4 Comments
    Previous How I Stay Organized on a Daily Basis
    Next Our Home: A Front Porch for the Fall

    Related Posts

    A Powder Room Remodel: Check out my DIY remodel of our powder room into an elegant oasis!

    Before and After: A DIY Powder Room Remodel...

    After half a year of waiting, it's finally hear: our modern farmhouse windows reveal! I'm sharing what we would do again next time (and what we wouldn't)!

    Our Modern Farmhouse Windows: The Big Reveal!...

    Sharing all my favorite modern farmhouse holiday home decor for the 2020 holiday season on the blog today!

    Modern Farmhouse Holiday Home Decor for 2020!...

    Reader Interactions

    Trackbacks

    1. dedicated server windows says:
      March 5, 2023 at 10:05 pm

      dedicated server windows

      How to Style a Bookshelf

      Reply
    2. keto diet downsides says:
      November 9, 2022 at 5:10 am

      keto diet downsides

      blog topic

      Reply
    3. Ismp.Cpatu.Embrapa.Br says:
      October 6, 2022 at 2:47 am

      Ismp.Cpatu.Embrapa.Br

      How to Style a Bookshelf

      Reply
    4. situs slot online terbaik says:
      July 10, 2022 at 1:09 pm

      situs slot online terbaik

      How to Style a Bookshelf

      Reply

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Find me on Instagram @thecharmingdetroiter!
    Sharing what’s in my cart for fall 2023! Visit m Sharing what’s in my cart for fall 2023! Visit my stories for more details or comment LINKS for the details!

Follow my shop @thecharmingdetroiter on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!

#liketkit #LTKSeasonal #LTKstyletip #LTKHoliday @shop.ltk https://liketk.it/4jJj7 ⁣
#fallfashion #instastyle #womensfashion #fallseason #autumnvibes🍁 #autumnvibes #sweaterweather #streetstyle #autumnstyle #falltime #outfit #october #falloutfit #falltrends #fallstyle #fashionstyle #styleblogger #falloutfits #fallvibes #casualstyle
    Today I’m embracing the charm of the fall season Today I’m embracing the charm of the fall season with a beautiful autumn tablescape! I partnered with English Gardens to create an autumn oasis for the dining room. From rustic burlap to pumpkins, muted florals to crisp ornamental corn, our dining room is a now cozy haven for autumn gatherings and I could not be happier! Comment COUPON and I will send you a coupon for your next English Gardens trip!

@english_gardens #ad #sponsored #englishgardens #farmhousetable #falltablescapes #tablescapestyling #tablestyling #tablesetting #tablescape #tablescapes #modernfarmhouse #thanksgivingtablescape #autumntable #homesweethome #pumpkindecor #pocketofmyhome #frenchcountrystyle #fallvibes #thanksgivingtable #seasonaldecor #falltablescape #cottagestyle
    Core memories: activated. ❤️🥰 #disneylife Core memories: activated. ❤️🥰

#disneylife #familytravelblog #wanderlust #familyvacation #disneygram #travelwithkids #familytravel #explore #traveltheworld #familytravelblogger #disney #disneylove #disneyparks #travelholic #familyadventures #travelgram #corememory #waltdisneyworld #disneyaddict #disneylifestyle #travelfamily #disneyworld #instadisney #familytime #disneylover
    The weekly edit - comment LINKS for details! Foll The weekly edit - comment LINKS for details!

Follow my shop @thecharmingdetroiter on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!

#liketkit #LTKfindsunder100 #LTKstyletip
@shop.ltk https://liketk.it/4jcgu #weeklyedit #theweeklyedit #weeklylooks #ootdshare #outfitideas4you #fallstyle #fallwardrobe #falllookbook #autumnstyle ⁣#fashionstyle #autumnstyle #streetstyle #ootdfashion #falltrends #fashioninspo #fallfashion #instastyle
    Photo dump from our #mackinacisland trip earlier t Photo dump from our #mackinacisland trip earlier this month! It was a whirlwind 4 days but so fun and staying at @grandhotelmichigan is without fail the best way to end the summer! I shared a couple of these outfits on my LTK page too so head over to my stories for all the details ❤️

Follow my shop @thecharmingdetroiter on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!
https://liketk.it/4jq9C

#shopltk #ltkfall #falloutfits #fallstyle #grandhotel #mackinacislandmichigan #midwestinfluencer #puremichigan #northernmichigan #michiganliving #midwestliving #travelingram
    Sharing my home finds from Amazon for the fall sea Sharing my home finds from Amazon for the fall season! Comment LINKS for the details on your DM!

Follow my shop @thecharmingdetroiter on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!

#liketkit #LTKhome #LTKSeasonal #LTKHoliday
@shop.ltk https://liketk.it/4j3qU ⁣#homedecoramazon #pumpkinseason #farmhouse #pumpkinspice #falldecor #sweaterweather #homedecor #amazondecor #amazonfinds #farmhousechic #falldecorinspo #amazonkitchen #falldecorations #modernfarmhouse #farmhouseinspired #cottagestyle #farmhousedesign #amazonhome #interiordesign #homesweethome #autumnleaves #neutraldecor #autumndecor #farmandhousefriends
    Fall is in the air, friends! Today I’m partnerin Fall is in the air, friends! Today I’m partnering with English Gardens to share my fall front porch makeover! I am loving these autumn vibes, and English Gardens makes it so easy to pick up everything you need for your front porch this season. From a variety of mums in all different sizes and colors, to the best selection of pumpkins, it’s your one-stop-shop for an autumn update! Comment COUPON and all send you a coupon for your next trip!

#ad #sponsored #autumnvibes ⁣#puremichigan #pumpkins #fallfrontdoor #frontdoordecor #autumndecor #itsfallyall #frontporch #seasonaldecor #pumpkinseason #fallfrontporch #doormatsofinstagram #frontporchliving #pumpkindecor #fallporchdecor #homesweethome #frontdoor #midwestliving #happyfallyall #frontporchinspo #farmhousestyle #fallvibes #farmhousedecor #fallporch #falldecorating #frontporchdecor
    Copyright © 2023 The Charming Detroiter
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • Style
    • Home
    • Travel
    • Holidays
    • Shop
    • About
    • [ NSALE 2023 HUB ]
    Theme by SheShoppes

    Copyright © 2023 · Avondale for Genesis on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in