8 Ideas That can Make a Bookshelf More Personal
You don't have to be a bookworm to appreciate what a bookshelf can do for your space
If, in this digital age, you relish the feel of a thick tome and its crisp paper in your hands, this story’s for you. If you swore off books the minute after your graduation ceremony… guess what, this story’s for you, too.
This story is about how a bookshelf can help you put your personal stamp on a space – even if you’re only renting it for the time being. It’s also about how you can take a generic bookshelf – say, Ikea’s Billy or Expedit – and style it so that it becomes completely, uniquely yours.
This story is about how a bookshelf can help you put your personal stamp on a space – even if you’re only renting it for the time being. It’s also about how you can take a generic bookshelf – say, Ikea’s Billy or Expedit – and style it so that it becomes completely, uniquely yours.
2. Be open to unconventional designs
A functional bookshelf can also be a fun bookshelf, such as this diagonally shelved one. It’s sturdy enough to hold hard-bound coffee table books, and allows you to intersperse books with objects in different configurations.
A functional bookshelf can also be a fun bookshelf, such as this diagonally shelved one. It’s sturdy enough to hold hard-bound coffee table books, and allows you to intersperse books with objects in different configurations.
3. Go for a mix of shelving heights, widths and openings
Cabinet doors and drawers allow you to conceal things you can’t be bothered to style (or mundane things like stationery and product manuals), while open shelves give you the option to arrange books and options to your heart’s content. A variety of shelf heights and widths adds visual interest.
Cabinet doors and drawers allow you to conceal things you can’t be bothered to style (or mundane things like stationery and product manuals), while open shelves give you the option to arrange books and options to your heart’s content. A variety of shelf heights and widths adds visual interest.
4. Let other members of your family add their personal touch
Whether it’s your significant other or children helping you style the shelves with their favourite books and objects, or your pets enjoying a little nook of their own, a bookshelf in a social or common space in your home is a lot more interesting when it’s a team effort.
Whether it’s your significant other or children helping you style the shelves with their favourite books and objects, or your pets enjoying a little nook of their own, a bookshelf in a social or common space in your home is a lot more interesting when it’s a team effort.
5. Mix objects with books
Add your initials, framed photographs, travel mementoes, even craft projects you’re proud of, amongst clusters of books. This gives the bookshelf a more personalised and curated look (and yes, bookworms, book selection is very personal, I know!) that’s interesting to you and your visitors.
Add your initials, framed photographs, travel mementoes, even craft projects you’re proud of, amongst clusters of books. This gives the bookshelf a more personalised and curated look (and yes, bookworms, book selection is very personal, I know!) that’s interesting to you and your visitors.
6. Experiment with colour
You don’t have to follow the trend where books are arranged according to the colour of their spine – a true book-nerd (i.e. someone who still knows what the Dewey Decimal Classification system) would lose their mind with that arrangement! But apply a little artfulness to your shelving. We like how pastel books are highlighted by pastel objects on this bookshelf. The bolder colours and random spines are placed on the shelves that are not at eye-level.
You don’t have to follow the trend where books are arranged according to the colour of their spine – a true book-nerd (i.e. someone who still knows what the Dewey Decimal Classification system) would lose their mind with that arrangement! But apply a little artfulness to your shelving. We like how pastel books are highlighted by pastel objects on this bookshelf. The bolder colours and random spines are placed on the shelves that are not at eye-level.
7. Make that Ikea shelf your own
This Expedit bookshelf isn’t unique just because of its curated display. A mirror backing has been applied, making the shelf look much more premium. Try wallpaper or metallic spray paint to put your own spin on it. The shelves of Expedit are also a good size for shoes and bags, so fashionistas can display their style books together with their designer accessories.
A shelf like this can double as a room divider, too.
This Expedit bookshelf isn’t unique just because of its curated display. A mirror backing has been applied, making the shelf look much more premium. Try wallpaper or metallic spray paint to put your own spin on it. The shelves of Expedit are also a good size for shoes and bags, so fashionistas can display their style books together with their designer accessories.
A shelf like this can double as a room divider, too.
8. Provide visual resting spots
Just like white space in a good magazine layout, shelves that are not crammed with books and objects let the eye rest from the busy-ness of the display. It makes the viewer appreciate the books and objects even more when there are visual resting spots.
TELL US
How are you personalising your bookshelf? Share a photo or tips in the Comments.
Just like white space in a good magazine layout, shelves that are not crammed with books and objects let the eye rest from the busy-ness of the display. It makes the viewer appreciate the books and objects even more when there are visual resting spots.
TELL US
How are you personalising your bookshelf? Share a photo or tips in the Comments.
It doesn’t have to be in the study (or you don’t need to have a study in which to place your bookshelf)! Make it part of your favourite space, the place in your home where you hang out the most. If you’ve got a nicely stocked and styled bookshelf, it’ll even be a conversation-starter for first-time visitors to your home.