Whether you love getting lost in a good beach read or curling up with a buzzy historical fiction title, you can appreciate a well-styled bookshelf. It’s not easy to pull off, though. Should you color-code your books? Are bookshelves the place for family photos? What’s the best way to show off a few potted plants?
If you’ve ever had these questions, you’re in luck. We tapped four pros—HGTV’s Galey Alix, Lauren Covino-Smith of Styled Ivy Interiors, Seattle-based designer Becky Ducsik from The Phinery, and Taniya Nayak, a home style expert for Marshalls and T.J. Maxx—for their top bookshelf styling tips and tricks. Consider their pointers to make your bookshelves the focal point of your space once and for all. If you ask us, revamping your bookshelves is the perfect weekend project!
1. Overlooking the purpose
In order to arrange visually appealing bookshelves, Nayak says you need to consider your intention. “Before styling, I always identify the purpose: Is it meant to be a functional storage system or a creative design moment that brings the space together? From there, books can be organized by genre, author, size, or color, depending on the look and functionality you want to achieve,” she says.
2. Not considering the overall design
It might be tempting to tackle one shelf at a time, but Ducsik adopts a different approach for a more unified setup: Look at your bookshelves as a whole. “A cohesive layout ensures that every item works together harmoniously and creates a balanced distribution of visual weight,” Ducsik says. It’s the best way to prevent a shelf from looking “disjointed and visually unbalanced.”
Covino-Smith agrees, sharing that bookshelves give you the opportunity to tell your story. She suggests treating them like a coffee table: “Try to steer away from mass-produced pieces that feel like a copy-and-paste repeat of something you saw on Instagram,” she says.
3. Skipping a clear color palette
You’ve chosen a color palette for every other area of your home, so Covino-Smith always urges clients to do the same for bookshelves. “Committing to a color palette that complements the rest of the space brings a curated yet calming effect, like the bookshelf is a piece of artwork!” she says.
She has a color formula to consider when picking decorative objects, like a candle, or sea glass vase, or a faux moss bowl: “I typically suggest three colors to clients: one for neutral grounding (ivory, linen, bone, light gray), one for a pop of color that corresponds with the room (greens, blues, reds), and one for beautiful contrast (black, charcoal, espresso),” she explains.
4. Failing to leave breathing room
Like any room in your home, your bookshelves need a spot for your eye to rest. “Instead of covering every nook and cranny of a bookshelf, leaving empty space or visual rest helps the eye travel effortlessly without clutter and overwhelm,” says Covino-Smith. “For example, I often find unique matching bookends and place seven to eight color-coordinated books standing upright, and then leave it be! The empty spaces on either side of books help draw the eyes directly to the books as a central focal point.”
Alix is all for carving out empty space as well. “I find people have a proclivity to fill all of their shelves and display as much as possible in order for it to feel ‘complete.’ In the same way that ‘No.’ is a complete sentence, a shelf with a single vase positioned in the center of it is also a complete shelf,” says Alix, author of the upcoming design book, You Can Do Beautiful Things.
5. Sticking to small decorative accents
Covino-Smith says a “go-big-or-go-home approach” is the key to eye-catching bookshelves. Don’t settle for shelves full of random knickknacks—think teeny travel mementos or collectibles that don’t have any sentimental value. A better way to refresh your bookshelves? “Opt for larger statement pieces that can be appreciated from further away and offer the proper scale. My favorites are large pottery and ceramic vases, sizable picture frames with minimal detailing, and a stack of hardcover books,” she says.
6. Going overboard with framed photos
A room filled with family photos can feel welcoming, but when it comes to your bookshelves, Ducsik says it’s best to practice restraint. “Displaying a variety of framed photos on a single shelf is generally not recommended unless the frames, photographs, and sizes complement one another and create a cohesive look,” the designer explains. “Thoughtfully coordinate them to maintain a display that feels intentional.”
7. Ignoring the principles of balance and contrast
Any professional designer will confirm that contrast can take your bookshelves to the next level. Nayak swears by a simple tip to nail any arrangement: “Step back and look at the shelf as part of the room composition to get a fresh perspective,” says the designer, who often enhances shelves with handcrafted pieces and pops of color. Something as simple as a wooden picture frame or ceramic vase can add visual interest.
And when it comes to balance, Alix says symmetry isn’t always the answer. “I find that while styling matching bookshelves on either side of a TV or fireplace, people often think you need perfect symmetry on both sides,” Alix says. “I always prefer balance over symmetry to create a more elevated look.” For instance, she suggests placing a stack of books on one side of the shelf and a decorative basket with similar dimensions on the other. “This is how you achieve a calming, custom look without feeling too matchy-matchy and uninspired,” she explains.
8. Not displaying greenery properly
“Greenery is an excellent accessory for bookshelves, as both natural plants and high-quality faux picks introduce an organic element that softens the clean lines of shelving and decorative objects,” Ducsik shares.
But proceed with caution—it’s important to leave vertical space above the plant, the designer warns. “Make sure to allow room around the foliage to create a lighter, more balanced composition,” Ducsik says.
9. Skipping the back of the bookshelves
It’s easy to overlook the back of a bookshelf, but it’s a chance to express your style as well. Feel free to paint it in one of your favorite hue’s or install graphic wallpaper. “Painting or wallpapering the back of a bookshelf is an effective way to add depth, color, and personality to a space,” explains Ducsik. “However, it's important to choose the paint color or wallpaper with the shelf decor in mind—or select the decor to complement the backdrop.”
She adds that if the wallpaper pattern is too busy or the paint color is too intense, it can detract from the decorative objects on the shelves. “The most successful bookshelves strike a balance, allowing the backdrop and accessories to enhance one another rather than compete for attention,” she says.
10. Forgetting lighting
One way to give your shelves a “flat, shadowed” look, according to Nayak? Neglecting lighting altogether. “Thoughtful lighting is one of the most important elements of a well-designed bookshelf,” Ducsik says. “Directional lighting that highlights decorative objects and architectural details adds depth, creates visual interest, and allows the display to be appreciated both day and night.”
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
