How to style your bookcase

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So many people struggle with how to style their bookcases or shelves. One of the things I get asked often is for tips on how I style my bookcases. My entertainment center and built in bookcases are a big focal point in our home and I have had so much fun styling them. I like to change out some of the items as the seasons change too. It’s a great way to freshen up the room.

Here are my tips on how to style your bookcase.

And be sure to scroll to the bottom where I’ve linked some of my favorite items to decorate with.

1.) Start fresh – First take everything off of your shelves. Gather all of your decor from your shelves and throughout your home and put it in a pile so that you can see everything in your collection.

2.) Choose your color palette – Think about the color palette in your room and choose pieces that complement it so as to make it look cohesive. I decorate my home in natural colors like white, creams, gray, and greens to give the room an open and airy feel.

3.) Create balance – Balance each side with items of equal proportion. You want it to look balanced, not necessarily symmetrical. But it also doesn’t need to be “matchy-matchy” which I personally think makes it look more staged.

4.) Add books – Stack them vertically as well as horizontally, with some in the center and others to the side to create a mixture. I made these custom books with our names to add a personal touch. Head to my Etsy shop to see some of my other collections or create a personalized set of your own.

5.) Add faux or real plants – My personal favorites are either dried hydrangeas, eucalyptus and boxwood. I added little boxwood wreaths and tied them with some ribbon to decorate the doors. This is a great way to add some color. Using different sized vases and pitchers is another great way to add dimension.

6.) Use decorative trays and baskets  – Not only is this a great way to give your items a home, but it also adds different elements and textures such as metals and woods as well. I like to store blankets in some baskets on the bottom shelves to make the room a little more cozy.

7.) Less is more – Your shelves should not look cluttered. It’s ok to leave some shelves almost bare. It makes it appear bigger.

Shop some of my favorite decor items below:

Baskets

Books

Boxwood Wreath

Decorative beaded garland

Decorative tray

Tiered stand

For more Decor Posts check out:

Best Throw Pillow Covers on Amazon

No Sew Dropcloth Curtains

Whitewashed Brick Fireplace Reveal

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