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How do I make my bookcase less boring?

Emmeline Westin

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

I need some creative ideas to spruce up with my bookcase. I can't fit coffee table books without removing shelves and when I do, the space looks empty. I also think it looks messy with lots of stuff piled on top of each other. Any ideas what I can do? It needs to look more fun!

Featured Answer

PRO

Clayton Gray Home

10 years ago

You are off to a great start with already having black + white with pops of red! The blending of prints and objects adds personality. Kudos!

Here are some merchandising tips which also work for bookshelf decorating:
-Remove everything and start with a clean slate
-Organize your items into categories (prints, art, bookends, sculptures, family photos, etc)
-Organize your books by color of spine stacking from largest on bottom to smallest on top
-Pick your "narratives" or items you would like to be the focal points (in this case, it is probably your prints and boxes)
-Now, that you have a blank canvas and have assessed "your products" - decide the spacing of your shelves
-Place narratives in a zig zag format from top left to bottom right. This will guide your eye and keep shelves from feeling too light or too heavy.
-Your base is set to be filled with books! Rotate horizontal stacks with vertical + bookends (try leaning some diagonal or facing cover out)

Once everything is set and you feel you would still like to paint the back wall of the shelves (love black) - take a photo before removing for a quick install later!

Hope this helps + Have FUN!

Comments (27)

indianpatti
10 years ago
You could paint the back of the bookshelf ..

What other colors are in the room?
User
10 years ago
Very common dilemma!

The general rule of thirds is 1/3 books, 1/3 other items, 1/3 open. You don't have much open space there.

Some of your photos are in white frames in a white bookcase. So with the white mats they get washed out. Perhaps more colorful frames, or colored mats would set them off more.

More objects. The boxes on the top shelf aren't helping you there. What are they, cigars? Removing them would give you a bit more space for something tall and colorful. Look around and see if you have any colored glass or plates that could be displayed.

Keep arranging stuff in different ways until you get to something you like.

Might help for people here to see more of the context of the room for other suggestions.

Good luck!
Emmeline Westin thanked User
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User
10 years ago
Or what indianpatti said! That would set off your frames and photos without having to replace them.
qam999
10 years ago
I wouldn't say those shelves are boring...there's a lot to look at and a lot of variety. What I would say is that they could be more cohesive and elegant and look a little tidier too. Actually, they're fairly nice already....I think you want to turn you B+ bookcase styling into an A+!

To create a calmer look, you can:

* Minimize different types of objects (many people use books only in a bookcase)
* Keep each shelf to just 1 type of objects (boxes on 1 shelf, books on next, objets d'art on third, book again on 4th etc.)
* Organize books by size (tallest in middle) and/or color
Emmeline Westin thanked qam999
handymam
10 years ago
Good suggestions.

On first glance, it just looks like too much stuff. It looks more like storage than "decorative" if you get what I am saying.
lwharma
10 years ago
You can always add trim to make it look more custom. Love the idea of adding color to the back panels
Emmeline Westin
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you so much for your suggestions, I'll roll up my sleeves this weekend and will make a change based on your suggestions. I definitely agree that much of it is storage (don't get me started on the cigar boxes you mentioned, jn3344, they are empty wine boxes and need to go!), so I think a clear out might be in order.
PRO
Warner Decor
10 years ago
Instead of painting the backs of the bookshelves, you could also install patterned craft paper (it will look like wallpaper but is way cheaper). I think that you could also eliminate some of the books if that was possible, and maybie make one shelf (maybe the 5th one down from the top on the right) a shelf that simply has three candles on a tray. Here is a suggestion:
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?shva=1#inbox/143b6df099e31a5c
PRO
Warner Decor
10 years ago
p://www.deciture.com/shop/decor/7/cahaya-tray/
try this one instead haha !
silk789
10 years ago
Colour group and remove some of the stuff, far too much for the eyes!

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Emmeline Westin thanked silk789
pcmom1
10 years ago
Looking top heavy right now. When you rearrange be sure to put the lighter color airy looking items on the top. I like the look Indianpatti posted on the right: sort of a monochromatic look. You could cover your books in a matching paper to make them less "busy".
PRO
Lucy Harris Studio
10 years ago
Lay coffee table books on their side. Reduce the amount of stuff. Let art or objects have space. Cluster elements and leave breathing space (see photo of bookcase I designed). Put paperbacks elsewhere (I love the Richard Sapien bookshelf for paperbacks (see photo).
groveraxle
10 years ago
Some excellent advice above. One more: try removing another shelf or two and use some taller objects. Keep it random. Too much symmetry can be boring.
Emmeline Westin
Original Author
10 years ago
Love your advice, thank you all so very much. I'll keep you up to date with an 'after' photo!
chrisinky
10 years ago
If you are still working on this, I have an idea for the larger shelf spots. On the right side, put the shelf back in the bigger spot, but take the one out above it. Leave the one on the left where it is. On the right again, take out the one with the 3 small frames on it. This should make a zig zag with your large openings. I like how you have the two large ones decorated in your picture.

All of the above ideas are good. I especially like painting or putting design covered panels in the back and moving heavier looking items like boxes to the bottom. I think a red and white patterned back would look great.

Have you already rearranged? How does it look?
Crystal Trupia
10 years ago
I would get some narrow moldings and use them to trim the shelves and frame of the cases. Simple, yet adds a little detail.
Emmeline Westin
Original Author
10 years ago
I've made a first attempt to change it now, pic will come later! I've opted for a more black and white look and have also tried to make it more spacious. Like you've recommended, I've moved heavier items to the bottom and it already looks a lot better. Thanks!
Emmeline Westin
Original Author
10 years ago
It took a while to get this in order, but I wanted to show you the latest look - which I'm really pleased with!
handymam
10 years ago
I like it! It looks very neat and modern.
User
10 years ago
I created an ideabook for bookshelves from pictures from houzz. Helped me a lot!
Emmeline Westin
Original Author
10 years ago
Great idea @Angie, I have one too now :)
Momof5x
10 years ago
Here are some ideas from Houzz pages:

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Laraine Clarke
9 years ago
Have you put bookshelf ideas into the search engine here. Always my first port of call.
stabmonkey
8 years ago
I like the wine boxes but maybe you could use them somewhere else - they're great for storing bits and bobs like pens and stationery items.
User
8 years ago
poss a silly question but how do you add things to an idea book?
Natalie Patton
8 years ago
For me the trick is defiantly positioning lay some down and stand some up, add some personal decorative pieces to break up the books Play with height and groupings of things maybe put something tall with 2 smaller things add some pictures or even those little boards with sayings on. Mostly though I think it's important too add some beautiful things that mean something to you and incorporate them with your books.

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