How to make a bookcase look good: 11 great styling tips

Written by

10 July 2023

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6 min read

Bookcases are an important item of furniture for many, allowing us to store our favourite reads, past and present, in one location. However, most of us don't pay much attention to how we organise our bookcases until it's too late. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to tidy things up and turn your bookcase into a beacon of style.

A bookcase or bookshelf is a functional furnishing, first and foremost, but one where there is great potential to style and decorate to impress. Many don't, making it a missed opportunity, especially when you realise just how easy it is to make a big difference with little effort.

1. Make sure the bookcase suits the decor

The first and arguably most important factor in making a bookcase look good is to pick one that actually suits your interior styling and decor. Failure to do this can make everything else you do with respect to bookshelf styling, very challenging indeed. On the flip side, choosing something that blends seamlessly with your interior or works in a contrasting but complementary way will immediately put you on the path to success. This doesn't necessarily mean buying a new one outright (as you might have a few in the house that can be moved around) but at the very least acknowledging the fact and thinking about the solutions.

The exquisite Avenue Wall Unit is perfectly matched to the interior styling in this space.

2. Decluttering works wonders

One of the most effective ways to improve the overall look of a bookcase is to give it a thorough tidy by decluttering the space. The temptation with any storage furnishing is to fill every available space but doing so can do more harm than good. Try to remove any unnecessary or unwanted books and keep only what you truly want to display. It'll instantly look better and make your collection more meaningful too.

Clutter-free spaces for class, especially with exquisite solutions like the Pab Storage by B&B Italia.

3. Bring order by categorising your books

Categorising your books is a great way to bring a bit of order to a bookshelf both practically and aesthetically. You can do so by any system or method you like i.e. by genre, type, colour, size — some people like to put their favourite books in the most prized and accessible spots, away from the top and bottom shelves. Whatever system you use to store books, the categorisation of them will naturally make everything more presentable to the eye.

Organisation is fundamental to good styling, seen here with the Library Bookcase from John Stephens & Co.

4. Create a unique feel with personal touches

A bookcase can look a little regimented if you display books and nothing but books. A great idea to break this up is to add a few items that are special to you. Examples can include framed photographs, family mementoes, awards and other personal items that you've acquired over the years. It's a nice way to create interest and impart a bit of personality in your approach to bookshelf styling.

The inclusion of personal items and collections, superbly done here with the West Wall Unit from DeLux Interiors, can add character to a space.

5. Experiment with stacking styles and orientation

Another simple trick to try is to experiment with stacking styles and how you arrange the books on your shelves. Stacking them vertically with the book spines out is the conventional method but is by no means the only option. You can also arrange them in horizontal stacks, overlapping stacks, leaned or tilted stacks and assemble them together at different heights. You'd be surprised how much difference this can make in terms of balance and appearance and how many creative ways you can do it.

There are many ways to display your books and sometimes the design can help, seen here with this unique bookcase in this home in the Wairarapa.

6. Consider your colour coordination

Bookcases present many styling opportunities and an important factor to take into consideration is colour. If you own a large collection of books, you'll probably find the covers and spines come in an equally wide range of colours. How you coordinate these individual colours together on your shelves can have a big impact on the look of a space. Step back and think about how the colour scheme of your bookcase will work. You may want to group colours, pair complementary shades together or create a kaleidoscope of colours together for an eye-catching display. This approach can look great against a blank wall or in a living room with a neutral colour scheme living room.

The stylish X2 Bookshelf by Craftbuilt, decorated with colour choices that create dynamism and depth.

7. Curate a collection of art

A bookshelf doesn't have to just be a space to store a few books. It can also be a place to feature works of art like sculptures, framed artworks, photography, cultural objects, ornamentals and more. Decorating shelves in this way can make your bookshelf seem like a curated gallery which can create an intriguing atmosphere and be a great conversation starter. It also makes it unique and a furnishing that truly represents you, your interests, passions and values.

A mix of books, art and sculptural pieces imparts a pleasing balance in a space, as seen here with this bookcase by Consilio Creations.

8. Plants or flowers for vitality and freshness

As well as works of art, indoor pot plants and flowers can make a fine addition, especially for the upper shelves of a bookcase where they're more likely to catch natural light. Not only are they a pleasing presence from a visual point of view but they are also a calming one too, bringing nature into the home with its sense of freshness and vitality.

The inclusion of some beautiful pot plants brings tremendous vitality to this impressive bookcase in this home in the Port Hills of Christchurch. Photography: Dennis Rademacher

9. Incorporate lighting for mood and functionality

The open shelves on your bookcase can also be used to showcase a trendy table lamp, a great way to incorporate a bit of lighting which can add both functionality and style. Other options for lighting include cabinet lighting in the form of LED lights which can be installed in a discreet way throughout or to highlight specific sections of your bookcase.

LED lighting can elevate and enhance a bookcase instantly, demonstrated with aplomb with this wall shelving system.

10. Play with negative space

Sometimes less is more, a sentiment that rings true when it comes to this next approach to bookshelf styling. Besides simple decluttering, which was touched on at the start of this piece, you can take it a step further by creating pockets of negative space. An empty space, here and there in your setup, can allow the eye to rest, giving it a chance to appreciate some of the more important items in your collection, be it a prized hardcover book, sculpture, plant or any other special item of bookshelf decor.

A comfortable use of negative space, seen here with the stylish Read Bookshelf by Montana.

11. Upgrade with a designer-inspired choice

Last but not least, another way to improve the look of a bookcase is to upgrade it altogether with a new designer-inspired choice. Bookcase design has come a long way in recent years with more and more top designers lending their name and talents to inspiring products. You'll find some exquisite and incredibly unique options to choose from, allowing you to create a real focal point in your space.

Some bookcases are designed to inspire like the breathtaking MHC.2 Bookcase by Molteni&C

Some simple ways to make a bookcase look good

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to make a bookcase look nice including different ways to display books, various items of bookshelf decor to feature, colour combinations to consider and more. Conveniently, they are all fairly easy to do and experiment with which means you can try a few options before settling on a look that suits you best.

Discover a great range of designer bookcases and bookshelves on ArchiPro