How To Decorate A Bookshelf (+16 Bookshelf Decorating Ideas You’ll Love)

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Decorating a bookshelf is so much more than just stacking books or placing them in rows. It’s about telling a story, setting a mood, and adding soul to your space.

Whether you’re working with a sleek modern unit or a rustic wooden shelf, there are endless bookshelf decor ideas to explore that will make your shelves feel like a curated extension of your personality.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to decorate a bookshelf step by step, highlight common styling mistakes (so you can skip them!), and share 16 creative bookshelf design ideas By Anna Sophie you’ll absolutely love.

So if you’ve ever found yourself wondering how to decorate a bookshelf in a living room or how to bring more dimension and unique charm to your shelves: This is your go-to inspiration for decorating your bookshelf with style and confidence.

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How To Decorate A Bookshelf Step By Step

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you create a beautifully styled shelf that reflects your taste.

Step 1: Clear Everything & Start Fresh
Remove everything from your bookshelf to break free from old patterns and see the space with new eyes. I recommend snapping a photo of the empty shelves. This makes the transformation even more rewarding.

Step 2: Choose A Color Palette
Pick a color scheme that harmonizes with your room. Whether you match your books and decor to the wall color or use contrasting tones for a bold look, having a palette helps the shelf feel cohesive.

Step 3: Arrange Books Creatively
Group your books by color, size, or theme to add structure. Don’t be afraid to mix horizontal stacks with vertical rows, it adds movement and makes your shelf more dynamic.

Step 4: Add Decorative Elements
Now it’s time to style with extras. Think small plants, candles, framed art, or travel keepsakes, anything that brings your own and unique personality.

Step 5: Create Balance
Good styling is all about visual flow. Use the rule of three or create visual triangles with your items, and don’t overcrowd. Free space gives the eye room to rest.

Step 6: Add Personal Highlights
Make it yours. Spotlight a favorite book, add a handwritten quote, or display a framed photo that makes you smile every time you see it.

Step 7: Bring In Light
Lighting can make all the difference. Try LED strips along the shelf edges, fairy lights for a cozy glow, or a focused reading lamp.

By the way, did you know that a bookshelf is a beautiful decorative accessory for your living room wall? If you need more inspiration for your living room walls, you can find it here.

Common Mistakes When Decorating Bookshelves

Even the most beautiful items can fall flat if a bookshelf isn’t thoughtfully styled. Here are some common decorating mistakes to avoid:

Overcrowding The Shelves
Filling every inch can make your bookshelf feel cluttered and overwhelming. Leave some space for breathing room. It helps each piece stand out.

No Repetition
A lack of repeated colors, materials, or shapes can make the shelf look chaotic. Repetition creates visual rhythm and helps tie everything together.

No Varying Heights
Using only items of similar size makes the shelf look flat. Mix tall and low pieces to add depth and dimension.

Too Much Symmetry
While balance is important, overly symmetrical styling can look dull. Try playing with asymmetry to add visual interest.

Bookshelf Decorating Ideas

Ready to take your shelves from simple to stunning? These 16 bookshelf decorating ideas are full of charm, personality, and practical tips to help you style your shelves like a pro, no matter your space or taste. Let’s dive in and get inspired!

The perfect bookshelf also needs a sofa with a coffee table as the perfect place to put your books and coffee. If you need help decorating your coffee table, just click here.

1. Corner Bookshelf

Tucked into a cozy nook, a corner bookshelf can become a true gem (not only in the living room but also in the bedroom or your office).

Personally, I love mixing framed photos, stacked books, and a trailing plant to add a personal touch and life.

This trick works beautifully for both shelf decorating ideas for the living room and shelf decorating ideas for the bedroom.

In my opinion, corner shelves are especially perfect for office bookshelf decorating ideas too. Just balance the practical with the personal, like a candle next to your notebooks or a small sculpture beside your go-to reads.

2. Stacked Vintage Suitcases

If you ask me, stacked vintage suitcases are one of the most unexpected ways to decorate a bookshelf.

I really like the storybook feel they bring, especially when topped with a leafy fern or cascading ivy for a soft, lived-in touch.

For best results, play with suitcase sizes for a layered look and choose a plant pot that echoes the vintage vibe, like a worn terracotta or a simple white ceramic bowl.

3. Bookshelf Decorating Ideas: Succulents

Succulents add a little green color touch to any bookshelf, especially in cozy corners of the living room.

Their sculptural shapes make them a unique plant arrangement.

And the best part? They are very easy to care for and require very little water.

You want a natural yet curated feel? I think grouping two or three in mismatched mini pots and spacing them between books or decorative objects are the best way to style them.

4. Plants, Candles & Bowls

I think, it’s a great way to decorate a bookshelf by combining plants, candles, and decorative bowls as decor elements.

It makes the whole bookshelf look more dynamic and versatile.

I just love how the flicker of a candle softens the look, while a leafy plant brings freshness. A pretty bowl is just an interesting visual object that loosens up the whole decor arrangement.

In my opinion, placing these elements in varying heights and mixing matte with glossy finishes creates a stylish balance.

5. Photo Frames

Slipping a photo frame onto a shelf instantly makes the space feel more personal.

My favorite way to decorate it? By mixing black-and-white memories with colorful snapshots to create a little gallery that sparks joy every time I pass by.

Placing one or two small frames beside books or candles (and even layering them in front of stacked items) is a simple way to tell your own story without overwhelming the design.

6. Building Shapes With Books

If you’ve never tried building shapes with books, you’re missing out on one of the most playful touches in modern bookshelf decor.

I think it’s such a fun way to break the routine, stacking a few books into a triangle or laying them in an arch turns your shelf into a true conversation piece.

For easy and creative DIY bookshelf decor ideas, I love using color-coordinated covers and mixing vertical rows with geometric stacks to keep things visually dynamic.

7. Using Plants As Book Stoppers

One of my favorite little tricks is using small potted plants as natural book stoppers.

As part of my bookshelf decor inspiration I suggest to choose pots in complementary tones and make sure the plant has enough weight (or a wide enough base) to hold your books in place without tipping.

There’s something so fresh about anchoring a row of books with a trailing pothos or a sturdy snake plant.

In my eyes the greenery instantly adds a touch of softness.

8. Personalized Bookshelf

A personalized bookshelf is where you can show your soul, character and preferences.

What I love is mixing in framed quotes and souvenirs from travels because they turn a simple shelf into a story.

You can also add personalized decorative items, such as your initials carved in wood or camera lenses if you love capturing your life on film.

Anything that suits you and defines you is allowed.

If you’re looking for ways to decorate bookshelves with intention, think about what matters to you most and balance it with unique bookshelf decor like one-of-a-kind pottery, DIY artwork, or even a family heirloom or two to make it truly your own.

9. Bookshelf In Special Shape

Bookshelves in special shapes, whether circular, zigzag, or tree-inspired, turn storage into a piece of art, and I think it’s such a fun way.

What I like most about them is how an asymmetrical or sculptural shelf gives natural zones for styling: You could fill a few compartments with books, then add in trailing plants, stacked bowls, or candles.

For anyone looking for open bookshelf decor ideas, I’d suggest using the unique lines of the shelf to guide your eye. Alternate between fuller and lighter sections to create balance and keep the overall look airy and intentional.

10. Maximized Storage

If you’re like me and always short on space, maximizing storage in your bookshelf can be practical and ensures that everything looks tidy.

One way to achieve more space is to use baskets and lidded boxes. They can be real lifesavers and hide everyday clutter while still looking chic, especially when paired with neatly stacked books or a few decorative pieces.

Another way to create more storage space is to purchase either a bookshelf that reaches up to the ceiling or a bookshelf with built-in compartments that you can open and close. Here, too, you can store everyday items such as dishes, tablecloths, and so on.

11. Small Ladder-Shaped Bookshelf

In my opinion, there’s something really charming about a small ladder-shaped bookshelf.

I truly think, this is a cute small bookshelf decor idea and perfect for adding vertical interest.

My suggestion: Use the wider bottom rungs for stacked books or a storage basket, and then letting the top tiers breathe with a candle, a plant, or a favorite photo.

12. Vertically & Horizontally Arranged Books

Mixing vertically and horizontally arranged books instantly brings a special kind of rhythm to any bookshelf, like styling with purpose.

What I like to do is stacking a few favorites flat and topping them with a candle or tiny sculpture.

In my opinion, it breaks the visual monotony and adds a relaxed, curated look.

Try alternating directions on each shelf for a balanced flow.

It’s such a simple trick, but it makes the whole shelf come to life.

13. Bookshelf Decorating Ideas: Monochrome Style

If you’re drawn to a sleek, harmonious look, you’ll adore styling your shelves in a monochrome palette.

This kind of bookshelf decor truly belongs to modern bookshelf decor ideas.

I think there’s something incredibly calming about sticking to one color family, whether it’s crisp whites, moody charcoals, or soft beige tones.

If you like it, try layering matte ceramics, linen-bound books, and sculptural objects in the same hue. It keeps things clean and visually rich.

14. Uniform Shapes & Colors

You’re craving a calming and cohesive look? Then pay attention on this one!

Decorating with uniform shapes and colors might be just the right thing for you.

Matching tones and similar silhouettes, like round bowls in muted shades, pictures that repeat the same pattern or a row of cream-colored books, can instantly bring order to an otherwise busy shelf.

In my opinion, the trick is to play with repetition while varying textures just a bit, so everything feels polished but never flat.

15. Bookshelf Decorating Ideas: All White

All-white bookshelves express serenity and calmness and are a true eye-catcher at the same time!

Every piece, from the shelving to the decor, whispers calm and elegance.

In my eyes, this look works beautifully when you play with textures: Pair glossy ceramics with matte vases, and add white books with rough linen covers to keep things interesting.

I believe the magic lies in soft layers, think sculptural objects, framed pressed flowers, or even a tiny alabaster lamp, to make the whole setup glow.

16. Showcasing Special Books

Showcasing special books that hold meaning, whether it’s a vintage novel, a childhood favorite, or a beautifully bound edition, not only shows what means a lot to you, but it also adds a personal touch to your bookshelf.

I think they deserve center stage, so I like to prop them up on mini easels, stack them with intention, or place a delicate decorative object beside them for extra flair.

Another option is to dedicate a section of the shelf solely to them.

In my opinion, adding a soft spotlight or placing them at eye level turns these beloved reads into a visual love letter.

Final Thoughts On Decorating A Bookshelf

No matter if you’re styling a bold statement shelf or keeping things calm and minimalist, decorating your bookshelf is the perfect way to reflect your personality.

I believe it’s all about mixing your favorite reads with decor pieces that inspire you.

From greenery and vintage touches to curated color schemes, there are endless ways to make your shelves uniquely yours.

So don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with it!