Whether your bookshelves are built into the wall or you have bookcases as separate furniture pieces, they can be challenging to decorate. Some people may have an abundance of books they need to figure out how to stack, while others may want to incorporate more knick-knacks and decorative objects.
Fortunately, Furniture Mall has plenty of bookshelf décor ideas you can try to implement in your home. Because bookshelves can be both functional and decorative, they are a great element that adds style and sophistication to any room.
10 Practical Bookshelf Design Tips
Bookshelves can add a lot of visual interest to a room, as well as highlight your own personal style and decorative touch. With these tips, you can learn how to decorate shelves to impress your family and guests.
We are excited to share a few of our favorite bookcases below to help you start creating a more beautiful and comfortable home. Oh Yeah!
1. Choose a Style or Color Theme
When first deciding what to place on your bookshelves, it’s always a good idea to limit your color palette and find a color scheme that matches the rest of the room. This will create a higher sense of unity in your home and help to maintain your decorative style.
Consistent styles and colors can also give certain spaces in your home, like office spaces or reading nooks, more cohesion. With a limited color palette, the room will feel less chaotic, more focused, and simplistic.
If contemporary style speaks to you, this vase is a must-see. With its shimmering amber finish and sleek, modern silhouette, it’s a true visual delight. Whether showcased on its own or filled with your favorite blooms, this stunning piece adds elegance and charm to any indoor or outdoor space. Shop Amber Glass Vase Now
2. Create Symmetry and Balance
Like other decorative spots in your home, it’s best to stick with designs that have symmetry since they play a large role in anchoring your room and making it appear uncluttered. Balanced bookshelf décor has a more organized look and feel, even if you’re implementing a wide variety of items.
To unify a bookcase or other shelves, keep your design simple yet flattering. One side of your shelving should not be packed with books or feature an abundance of empty space. Instead, larger objects like vases, books, or figurines should be spread so that no area is left totally empty and everything is symmetrical.
You can then help balance larger items by placing smaller objects between them to complement them and create loose symmetry. For example, mirror a picture frame on one side with a similarly-shaped collectible on the opposite side.
This set of textured round-bottom vases is a versatile addition to your living room, bedroom, home office, or bookcase decor. Blending modern design with timeless elegance, these vases are perfect for showcasing your favorite flowers or standing alone as statement pieces. They’re sure to become a cherished highlight in your home. Shop Set of Textured Vases Now
3. Paint the Back Wall of Your Bookshelf
Adding paint to the back of your bookshelf can create a pop of color to further illuminate the decorations and other objects on your shelving. You can also match the color of your bookshelves to the color scheme in the room.
If paint isn’t to your liking, you can also wallpaper the interior of your bookshelf for a pop of color. Wallpaper is also a great option if you want to add metallic or glossy décor items since they tend to stick out and shine a little bit more than they would against a blank wall.
4. Start With Large Items
The best way to create balance on your bookshelf is by starting with larger objects. It’s easy for your decorative theme to come undone if you start by using smaller pieces of home décor to put on shelves. If you start with larger items, such as vases, woven baskets, or artwork, you can fit and scale smaller items to balance the design and fill in blank space.
The perfect "missing piece" for your stylish display! This unique and playful sculpture is a must-have for adding a touch of charm and sophistication. Its striking gold tone and black finish makes it a standout addition to any space. Shop Sculpture Now
Shown displayed on Rowanbeck Bookcase (see description & link below)
Add casual charm to your shelf, mantel, or tabletop with this stylish vase. Crafted from clear seeded glass, it beautifully captures a weathered, timeless appeal. Whether placed indoors or outdoors, this versatile vessel looks enchanting on its own or filled with your favorite florals. Shop Vase Now
5. Use Artwork
Artwork pieces work great for deeper bookcases or bookshelves since they can be used as background pieces, with smaller objects placed in from of them. This design adds depth to your shelving and creates more visual interest. You can also easily change prints or photos whenever you want, so your decorations can match your mood or the seasons.
This set of four tranquil landscapes captures the beauty of each season, featuring a stunning field and the natural transformations it undergoes. Each piece is framed in pine wood with a soft white wash and finished with a natural linen liner. Artwork by Paul Duncan. Shop this Set of 4 Now
6. Mix Up Book Placement
Books can act as great decorative pieces, mainly because there are many different ways to orient them to change up your shelving design. Having variety in how the books are stacked, such as horizontally versus vertically, can create more interest. You can also try leaning your books instead of stacking them to give a more unique look to your shelving.
Books can also be arranged in other ways, such as by color. You may consider pairing spines together that are similar in hue to create a rainbow effect across your bookshelf. For those with a lot of books, this is a great way to create more order. If your volumes don’t seem to fit together, consider turning their spines to face the wall so that only the pages are visible.
To maintain the balance of your bookcase design, be sure to align some stacks of books to the left, right, or center, depending on what other objects you plan to use.
This set of three decorative boxes is designed to resemble vintage books, offering a timeless, classic touch to your shelves. Not only do they enhance your decor, but they also provide discreet storage for small items, blending style with practicality. Perfect for keeping your essentials organized while adding an elegant, literary-inspired charm to any room. Shop Decorative Box Set here
7. Use Decorative Objects
There are many decorative objects or accessories to choose from when designing a shelving layout. You may already have homewares, souvenirs, or heirlooms that you want to display on your bookshelf. Don’t be afraid to play around with whatever items you have at your disposal; you may be surprised at what objects can bring together the design just to your liking.
When finding home décor for shelves, it’s best to find items you can offset to create symmetry and balance. Decorative objects can vary depending on your style, so it’s really all about what you like and what looks good in your room.
This unique vase features an abstract interpretation of the human profile, with an antiqued bronze-tone finish that adds subtle sophistication. Its artistic form stands out on its own but is equally striking when paired with other decor, making it a versatile and contemporary statement piece for any space. Shop Unique Sculpted Vase Now
8. Add Plants
Indoor plants are both stylish and offer many health benefits. They can add a pop of color and life to your bookshelves, especially because there are all sorts of visually pleasing pots that you can choose from to place your plants in.
Don't worry if you don’t have a green thumb; you can also use artificial plants and get the same visual effect.
A vibrant arrangement of lush fuchsia peony cuttings elegantly displayed in a fluted, clear glass vase filled with faux water. The rich, bold petals of the peonies bring a pop of color, while the delicate fluted design of the vase adds a touch of sophistication. Perfect for brightening any space with a timeless, natural beauty, this arrangement requires no maintenance but delivers the same fresh and lively charm as real flowers. Shop Peony Floral Now
9. Use Boxes and Baskets
If you have an excessive number of things you need to store, you can always hide away clutter in a box, basket, or other storage item that matches the design and style of your bookshelf. These can then be incorporated into your design with other objects, like books or decorative items.
This set of three keepsake boxes combines functionality with style. The sleek marble design is enhanced by a brass-tone metal inlay on top, adding a touch of elegance to your decor. Perfect for storing your most cherished items, these boxes bring both beauty and organization to any space, offering a refined way to keep your treasures close at hand. Shop Marble Design Boxes Now
10. Leave Room for Empty Space
When you’re figuring out how to decorate a bookcase or bookshelves, it’s always best to leave some empty space. Sparsity is a characteristic of a more contemporary look, so try grouping together small items to leave a portion of your shelves unoccupied.
Incorporating these accessories into your bookshelf decor can add depth, texture, and a personalized touch to your living space. Choose pieces that resonate with your style and complement your existing decor to create a harmonious and inviting atmosphere.
At Furniture Mall, we offer a wide range of decor to enhance your home. Shop Decor Accessories Now
A Few of Our Favorite Bookcases
Rowanbeck Bookcase
Inspired by art deco design, this softly shaped bookcase blends graceful curves with sleek geometric lines for a timeless, sophisticated look. A stunning statement piece that combines both form and function, adding a touch of elegance to any room.
Shop the Rowanbeck Bookcase here
Starmore Bookcase
If you love urban industrial design, it's easy to see why this bookcase is a bestseller. The blackened gunmetal frame offers a sleek, sculptural look with ultra-modern appeal. Featuring five gallery shelves in a rich oiled walnut-tone finish, this piece beautifully combines form and function, providing both stylish display space and practical storage. Perfect for adding a bold, contemporary touch to any room.
Bergton Bookcase
This bookcase features spacious shelves and a sturdy frame, making it ideal for showcasing your curated items. With its modern straight-line design, it adds a clean, contemporary touch to any room while offering practical storage and display space.
Shop the Bergton Bookcase here
Orleans Six Tier Shelf
Featuring six spacious shelves and a durable marble laminate surface, this shelf combines style with practicality. The sleek design provides ample storage for books, decor, and essentials, while the marble finish adds a touch of sophistication, making it a perfect blend of form and function for any space.
Shop the Orleans Six Tier Shelf here the Orleans Six Tier Shelf here
Blariden Small Bookcase
Perfect for compact spaces, this bookcase offers ample storage while maintaining a streamlined, minimalistic design that won’t overwhelm the room. Its thoughtful proportions allow it to fit seamlessly into smaller areas, providing both practical storage and an elegant display space without sacrificing style or functionality.
Shop the Blariden Small Bookcase here
Janismore Bookcase
This bookcase seamlessly blends classic design with modern elements, creating a sophisticated and timeless look. Its clean lines, elegant structure, and thoughtful details make it a versatile addition to any room, effortlessly enhancing both traditional and contemporary decor. Perfect for displaying books, decor, or cherished items, it adds a touch of refined elegance to your home.
Shop the Janismore Bookcase here
At Furniture Mall, we offer a diverse selection of bookcases in various styles and price ranges. From modern and sleek to rustic or traditional, our collection suits every taste and budget. Whether you're looking for compact options or larger statement pieces, you'll find the perfect bookcase to add both style and function to your space.
Visit Us Online and Shop Even More Bookcases
The Furniture Mall has plenty of accent pieces and artwork to choose from, so you can know how to decorate shelves like a pro. We even offer Complimentary Design Services if you’re unsure where to start. Visit one of our stores today in Topeka and Olathe, Kansas, and Lee's Summit, Missouri.