The Styling Trick To Effortlessly Arranging Decor On A Bookshelf

As an avid reader, I don't think I put as much effort into anything around my house as I do into bookshelf design. My bookshelf is more than just a centerpiece or a storage system. In some ways, I think I see it as a reflection of my heart. It houses the stories that have brought me comfort when I needed it and helped shape my perspective on life. It seems the least I can do is to care for my bookshelves with intention.

On the other hand, nothing catches the eye in a negative way as much as messy shelves with no decor to act as visually appealing partitions. If you've never put much thought into how you decorate your bookshelf, however, you may not know where to start. Styling rows of books can be intimidating, but you don't have to perform your bookshelf makeover all at once. Start with little tricks that will help your shelf design appear intentional as you figure out your personal style.

One of the easiest tricks for organizing your bookshelf with style is to stack some of your books horizontally rather than vertically. You can also make use of unconventional bookends. Picture frames can add pops of personality to the backdrop of your bookshelf while also keeping your rows of books from falling over. Plus, you'll save more space in the long run by making a place for your favorite family photos or art pieces.

The Venn diagram between book lovers and plant parents is often a circle. If you need a space to display your indoor plants, why not store them on the bookshelf, too? As long as your houseplants don't have any maintenance needs that would damage your books, they can help your shelves come alive with a little color.

Have a book or series that changed your life? Display them with the cover facing outward as a conversation starter and to make use of negative space. To make the pages really come alive, you could add a themed book nook next to it — a special kind of bookend showing a cozy scene. Jane Austen fans, for example, might appreciate this book nook from Etsy user HemispheresCo showing a romantic moment from "Pride & Prejudice."

Strategic storage is your decor friend if you own more books than you have space for on the shelves. On her website Smartly Organized, professional organizer Andrea Walker recommends using storage containers in the same style or color as your bookshelves. You can keep delicate or hard-to-stack books there while preserving the vibe you want for your shelves. Not only is this a practical way to decorate your shelves, but it will keep your books organized, too!