How to dress a Bookcase

Howdie friends, thank you all for shipping-in on the rug dilemma. I think a resolution is close, but not reached yet, I think I need to do just a little more massaging, if you catch my drift.

In the mean time let’s talk about something else. Y’all remember my guest room makeover don’t you? Well that whole project started with my determination to make an old Ikea Bookcase look good. And I think my Billy Built-in Bookcase project was kind of a success. But after I invested so much time building this wrecked thing work of beauty, I was not going to mess it up by just haphazardly plunking some books back in.

So I decided to do some research on how to dress a bookcase. And I don’t know why, but I thought you would be interested too.

So here are some of the rules I found.

(Click all the pictures to be taken to the source and at the bottom of this post I give all the articles I used to gather this list).

• When dressing a bookcase it is all about line, balance and scale!
• Only put in the books you use often and preferably that look good.
• Large books and decorative items should be placed at the bottom, they are the ‘foundation’.
• Start at the bottom and work your way up.
• Mix books with decorative items.

Chez Larsson’s built in Billies that were the start of my Billy makeover

• Plants work too.
• Use items that in the bookcase that go well with the style of the room.
• It’s important to mix shapes. If you have a horizontal stack of books, try placing a small, curvy objet on top.
• keep books with like-colored spines together (like this example I found on Flickr)

• Size matters! Different sized items are essential. Varying heights will make your display more interesting.
• Don’t make everything too perfect. Keep things off-center and group things in odd numbers.
• Try to make it look relaxed, as well as organized.

• Contrasts add visual interest.
• So add unexpected, maybe even humorous touches
• Don’t over-accessorize. Step back periodically to make sure it doesn’t look too cluttered.
• Give your items some breathing room and give them the space to show themselves off!

• Books don’t have to stand up like little soldiers. You can mix it up with books laying down.
• Add depth by layering smaller items in front of larger ones.
• Ugly spines can be hidden by turning the spine to the back (of course only if you recognize the book that way too)

• Group “like” items together. Arrange objects with similar shapes, textures or colors together to unify your display.
• Colors should compliment each other and the room.
• Books look good in baskets too.

• Hobbies and collectibles are a great thing to display on bookshelves. Anything looks better as a collection.
• Grouping together family photos or arranging books by color will have a bigger impact visually than having the same items spread out.
• Try to create balance, not symmetry. Try arranging things in odd numbers, like five vases on one shelf and two on another.

• Mix up the difference in height between shelves/ or go for a symmetrical ‘all the same height look’.
• Mix up the objects you are putting on your shelves so that not everything is the same height.
• Use a book as a riser for a small object.

• Think about adding sparkle. Glass and silver pieces will make your shelves shine.
• Think about adding a mirror to create depth and enjoy the added benefit of making your other pieces glow.
• Don’t lose storage space. You can keep aesthetic appeal without losing functionality. Try adding large wicker baskets or a small rod and curtain to section off storage space.

Quite an extensive list don’t you think? Useful? Have any more tips to add?

And come back tomorrow to see how I did following up on all of this information and to finally see the pictures of the inside of my Bookcase.

Young House Love ~ How to style a bookcase
Julie Rieman ~ How to dress a bookcase
Suite 101 ~ How to accessorize and organize your bookcase
Overstock ~ Tips on decorating a bookshelf