I’m always looking for new ways to decorate and organize the bookshelves in my home. As an avid reader who has accumulated a sizable personal library over the years, I need plenty of shelf space!
Lately I’ve felt my current setup needs a refresh, so I decided to explore some creative bookshelf ideas to liven up my space.
There are so many unique ways to display your book collection while adding visual interest to any room. Whether you want to repurpose old materials, make a bold design statement, or just organize your shelves more efficiently, there are lots of innovative ideas out there.
I discovered 52 book shelf concepts ranging from artsy to practical, so keep reading for inspiration!
1. Hang Artwork
Hanging small pieces of artwork or photographs from the trim and shelves of your bookcase is an easy way to inject more personality. You can give special large pieces room to shine while filling in gaps with smaller accessories. Mixing media types, like ceramics with paintings, creates an eclectic gallery-like display.
2. Make it Multi-Purpose
Why limit your bookcase to books? Combine it with a bar area for entertaining by displaying glassware collections. Or use the shelves to showcase your favorite trinkets and reading materials together. The storage possibilities are endless, especially in open floor plans.
3. Consider Your Surroundings
Make sure your bookcase complements the room’s existing light sources, views, and color scheme for a cohesive look. For example, fill shelves with items featuring natural hues if you have neutral walls and plenty of sunlight. Carefully integrating your bookcase into the surroundings makes the space feel harmonious.
4. Vary Your Book Displays
Get creative with how you arrange your book collection! Stack books horizontally, vertically, or at an angle to add visual rhythm. Intersperse them with eye-catching objects like sculptures or vases so they don’t feel cluttered. Playing with different orientations prevents monotonous shelving.
5. Add Unique Details
Personalize your bookcase with unexpected decorative touches that tie back to the room’s overall style. For example, add scalloped trim and paint colors matching your furnishings. You can also incorporate meaningful travel trinkets or family photos among the books rather than solely relying on built-in features.
6. Rethink Tricky Spaces
Take advantage of awkward nooks and under-utilized areas by installing customized shelving. Transform oddly shaped walls into floor-to-ceiling bookcases or utilize attic space to create a cozy reading escape. This allows you to maximize storage capacity even in challenging room layouts.
7. Forget the Books
Your shelves don’t have to be filled with books! Display your favorite art objects, photos, or curated collections using creatively styled vignettes. Repurposing bookcases is a great way to store items you want to highlight in an organized fashion. Just arrange pieces harmoniously like a gallery wall.
8. Add Picture Lights
Draw attention to special items or collections on your shelves with strategically placed picture lights. Not only does this provide extra illumination, but it also creates a beautiful ambiance. The lighting could spotlight a beloved houseplant, accentuate the textures of a ceramic piece, or cast a warm glow on old book spines.
9. Bring in Texture
Incorporate colorful grasscloth wallpaper or textured materials as the backing for your built-in bookcase. This instantly adds depth and visual interest to contrast the flat shelves. You can also use textural elements like woven baskets, nubby throw blankets, or ceramic vases to display among your books.
10. Utilize Free-Standing Shelves
Take advantage of empty corners and under-utilized space by placing free-standing étagère-style shelves. Use them in various rooms like the bathroom to neatly store folded towels or in the dining area to display glassware collections. The vertical lines add nice height variation and don’t require custom built-ins.
11. Keep it Simple
Embrace minimalism by opting for floating shelves that seamlessly blend into your wall color. Paint them the same hue or a slightly contrasting tone for subtle definition. The simplicity keeps the focus on the displayed items instead of the shelves themselves – whether that’s a carefully curated book and object collection or beautiful artwork.
12. Salvage Old Materials
Give new life to vintage furniture pieces like an old pharmacy cabinet by repurposing them as book storage. The charm of salvaged wood, timeworn paint chips, or antique glass knobs adds plenty of farmhouse personality. This is a sustainable way to create unique shelving solutions while preserving a sense of nostalgia.
13. Make a Statement
Transform any bookcase into an eye-catching focal point by painting the shelves and surrounding walls a bold, dramatic color. Unexpected hues like emerald green, rich purple, or bright orange make the ordinary extraordinary. Just be sure to display decorative objects and books featuring a cohesive color story for maximum visual impact.
14. Vary the Shelf Heights
Customize your built-in bookcase with shelves of varied heights and depths to accommodate different items. Taller shelves are great for oversized coffee table books and collectibles, while short dividing shelves keep items separated. Having this type of flexibility keeps your most-used items within optimal reach.
15. Add a Ladder
A classic wooden ladder placed alongside a tall bookcase instantly amps up the character. Not only does it serve as a decorative accent, but it also provides helpful access to displays on higher shelves. This is ideal for safely reaching beautiful items that you still want visible instead of stored out of sight.
16. Stick to a Color Theme
Paint built-in bookshelves a tone pulled from the room’s existing color palette, whether that’s a neutral, vibrant accent shade, or soft pastel. Fill the shelves with decorative objects and book covers featuring coordinating hues. The cohesive flow of color creates harmony and beautifully ties together the various elements in your space.
17. Surround the Doorframe
Make use of the wall space surrounding door frames to install built-in cabinetry or shelving. Flanking the door with packed bookcases gives the illusion of entering a hidden library or passageway. Painting them the same color as the door trim promotes a streamlined, cohesive look. This also maximizes storage in rooms with quirky transitional spaces.
18. Create Contrast
Make your bookcase a standout focal point against painted walls by using rich natural wood shelves and trim. The warm tones provide appealing contrast to cooler hues like light blue or sage green paint. For additional visual interest, bring in colorful textiles like patterned blankets or vibrant pillows placed among neutral books.
19. Layer in Fresh Touches
Incorporate natural elements to soften book shelves by tucking in a few delicate blooms. The colorful flowers peeking out from stacks of books add a cheerful touch. Use petite bud vases so they don’t overwhelm the shelves. This is an easy way to refresh the look seasonally.
20. Don’t Give it Too Much Thought
The beauty of bookshelves lies in their ability to reflect your personality and interests. Fill them organically with an array of beloved books, photos, trinkets, and collections without overthinking the styling. Embrace the slightly cluttered yet cozy, lived-in aesthetic of a well-loved bookcase.
21. Elevate with Art
Transform any shelf display into a mini art gallery by incorporating framed artwork, prints, or even textiles. For example, hang a beautiful vintage silk scarf for an unexpected pop of color and texture. This is a great way to highlight special pieces that inspire you while showcasing your unique style.
22. Design with Arches
For a touch of elegance, install built-in bookcases with arched trim details. Flank a sofa or bed with matching arched shelves instead of traditional rectilinear ones. The soft curved shape adds architectural interest and a sense of grandeur while creating the illusion of additional height in a room.
23. Tuck in Sentimental Treasures
Share glimpses into your life’s special moments among the book collections. Display sentimental items like family photos, children’s artwork, or meaningful travel trinkets on shelves. Mixing books with personal treasures results in an emotionally connected, cherished space.
24. Be Bold with Color
Make a vibrant color the star of your bookcase by painting the backs and shelves an unexpected, lively hue like coral pink or rich teal. For a coordinated look, fill the shelves predominantly with book covers and accessories in the chosen accent color or complementary tones. The eye-catching bookcase becomes the focal point.
25. Think About the Primary User
If designing kids’ bookshelves, make functionality a priority. Incorporate elements like toy storage or baskets in lower shelves for easy access. Consider child-friendly safety aspects like securing the bookcase to the wall or using soft edges. Adjusting the shelf height to best suit little readers creates an enjoyable space.
26. Take it Floor-to-Ceiling
For avid readers with extensive book collections, maximize every inch of vertical real estate with floor-to-ceiling shelving. Built-in bookcases that fully occupy the wall from top to bottom provide ample storage capacity. The towering packed shelves also create a cozy, library-like atmosphere perfect for getting lost in a good book.
27. Add Interest to the Wall
Break up large expanses of blank, solid-colored walls by installing bookshelves from floor to ceiling. Visually interesting displays of books, artwork, objects, and collections transform boring spaces. The eclectic mix of colors, textures, and shapes creates plenty of eye-catching visual texture on an otherwise flat wall.
28. Repurpose Antiques
Reinvent vintage furniture pieces like an old hutch or apothecary cabinet by repurposing them to store book collections. Adapt antiques in need of some TLC by giving them new life as bookcases. The well-worn, timeworn charm of salvaged wood and antique accents adds loads of character to any space while solving storage needs.
29. Consider New Heights
Install floating shelves super high on the wall to creatively maximize vertical real estate in rooms with limited floor space. The elevated book ledges create visual interest while drawing the eye upward, giving the illusion of higher ceilings. High shelves also prevent tall furniture pieces from feeling cluttered.
30. Style with Plants
Incorporate leafy houseplants like pothos among your book collections to add an organic element. The trailing vines and lush greenery effortlessly soften the shelves. Choose low-light, low-maintenance varieties well-suited for the existing conditions. As a bonus, plants help purify the indoor air.
31. Organize by Color
Create a cheerful rainbow bookcase by arranging texts by the colors of their spines rather than alphabetically. Intersperse the color-coordinated books with additional decorative objects featuring corresponding tones. The orderly ombré effect adds visual impact while neatly organizing chaotic shelves.
32. Make it Highly Functional
Design kids’ bookcases with functionality and practicality as the focus. Incorporate elements like cubbies to stash toys, games, and art supplies. Use an ombré paint technique on shelves from top to bottom for a playful accent. Organize items thoughtfully based on frequency of use for an enjoyable, kid-friendly space.
33. Set a Focal Point
Draw the eye to a specific shelf or set of shelves by creating a bold focal point. For example, paint the interior backs a striking contrasting color or focus on a special displayed object like an eye-catching piece of pottery. Strategically balancing colorful, densely packed shelves with a neutral focal point creates a pleasing composition.
34. Hang a Mirror
Fill what would otherwise be an empty shelf space with a decorative mirror featuring an ornate frame. Prevent packed bookcases from feeling cluttered by incorporating mirrors to create the illusion of more room. The mirror also beautifully reflects light from windows or fixtures, enhancing the brightness.
35. Use Various Finishes
Visually tie bookshelves into a room’s existing décor by using a mix of wood stains, paint colors, and textures that coordinate with the furnishings. For example, combine a grey-stained wood frame with neutral linen fabric backing the shelves. The varied finishes add richness and depth while enhancing the surrounding elements.
36. Strike a Balance
Design a bookcase with distinct sections to add structural balance. Flank artwork or a collection of prints in the center section with books and accessories on either side. You can also incorporate a bar area or concealed storage spaces behind cabinet doors. Breaking up the shelving prevents a cluttered look.
37. Fill in Old Doorframes
Make use of quirky layouts caused by remodeling projects by converting unused doorways into built-in cabinetry or shelving. Customizing storage to fit the existing frame adds character while solving awkward architectural gaps. The clever repurposing of old doorframes maximizes functionality.
38. Keep it Minimalistic
Embrace a minimalist, airy aesthetic with bookshelves featuring plenty of open space between objects. Use plain ceramics and glassware for subtle pops of color. The breathing room allows individual pieces to shine as works of art unto themselves. Avoid overcrowding shelves to maintain the light, simplistic look.
39. Go Beyond the Living Room
Think outside the box by installing bookshelves in non-traditional spaces like the kitchen, hallway, or bedroom. Unexpected places can benefit from smart storage solutions. For example, frame a bed with matching bookshelves or display cookbooks in the kitchen. The multifunctional shelving adds character to various rooms.
40. Pick a Color Palette
Pull a color scheme from artwork or textiles displayed in the room. For example, coordinate blue and white books with Mediterranean tile décor and paint shelves blue to match. Or fill red shelves with crimson-covered books alongside burgundy furnishings. Extending the existing color palette creates a harmonious, put-together space.
41. Create Your Own
Dream up a custom storage solution using unexpected materials like acrylic boxes or wall pockets. Attach the transparent holders at varying heights for visual interest. Get especially creative in kids’ rooms by incorporating colorful containers that complement the rest of the décor. Think outside the box when it comes to personalized shelving ideas.
42. Add Texture with Beadboard
Incorporate beadboard as the back panel of bookcases or shelves for added texture and cottage charm. The distinctive raised ridges create eye-catching contrast from the flat shelves. Paint the beadboard white as-is or experiment with fun colors. The woodgrain finish also pairs well with natural hues like gray.
43. Stain Them
Wood wall shelves make a gorgeous focal point, especially when stained a rich walnut or espresso tone. The bold color variation gives shelving dramatic emphasis while adding warmth and dimension. Choose a stain that complements the room’s color scheme. Dark wood pops beautifully against light walls or neutral furnishings.
44. Face Books Outward
If your book collection features mismatched binding colors, face them outward to show the pages instead of spines. The neutral page edges create a uniform backdrop when books are arranged in orderly rows. This technique also works well for displaying a spectrum of colorful books. The coordinated look is endlessly customizable.
45. Think Beyond Built-Ins
Go for a lighter, airier look than traditional built-ins using wall-anchored shelving units. The floating style gives the illusion of more space while allowing you to assemble configurations to suit your needs. For added functionality, incorporate desk areas or cabinets for concealed storage. It allows flexibility for future room layouts.
46. Hide Storage in Plain Sight
Incorporate covered baskets or fabric bins on bookshelves to conceal items you want readily accessible but not visible. For example, stash remote controls, chargers, office supplies, or bath essentials. The system keeps necessities organized while maintaining a cohesive, decluttered look. Matching your storage solutions to the shelves is key.
47. Design Your Own Border
Make basic bookcases look spectacular by adding a decorative surround. Incorporate meaningful materials into your custom design, like seashells for a coastal home or pressed flowers in a cottage. Wallpaper, beadboard, or moulding are easy affordable ways to enhance plain shelves. Personalize to suit your style.
48. Don’t Hold Back on Color
Boldly paint the backs of bookcases an unexpected color like fuchsia, chartreuse, or cobalt blue as a dramatic contrast to neutral shelves. Vibrant back panels make the ordinary extraordinary. Coordinate brightly colored books and accessories to play up the eye-catching focal point.
49. Wrap Shelves Around a Corner
Maximize awkward corner nooks by continuing shelving onto adjacent walls. Use floating ledges to seamlessly wrap bookcases around corners. The uninterrupted flow of displays enhances visual harmony while taking advantage of wasted space. You can even alternate depths between sides for added dimension.
50. Get Creative in Small Spaces
Make the most of compact rooms by devising smart shelving and storage hacks. For example, convert closet built-ins into a book nook or customize a nursery closet with accessible toy bins. Taking an imaginative approach ensures every inch gets used efficiently even when square footage is limited.
51. Leave Breathing Room
Allow some shelves to remain sparsely styled while densely packing others. The balance of empty and abundant areas lets the eye appreciate negative space as a design choice. Special book collections, artwork, or decorative objects also stand out better with room to breathe rather than competing for attention in tight quarters.
52. Let it Overflow
For book lovers with expansive libraries, don’t be afraid to fill shelves to the brim in an artful way. The overflowing abundance adds to the charm and feels extra cozy. Dense collections make small reading nooks feel especially snug. Embrace the stacks of titles, piled horizontally and vertically, as a badge of honor.