Yeah, that's the one thing that has kept me from framing in my individual bookcases to look like built-ins. I'll be interested to see if anyone has a good solution. I always figured I'd either put books I never use there or books I use so often that I'd remember where they were.

First thing that came to my mind is an empty stationary box - you know, because we all have so many of those around the house with all our letter writing! But a small piece of wood would work. You could buy a long length of 2 x 2 and cut it into lengths of 6: or so, stand on end as have that as your 'starter piece' for the books.

Good idea, DLM. I am slightly paranoid at the thought of anything scratching the shelves, though. (I'm sure I'll get over that soon enough, once the "new" wears off and we really start using these things day in and day out!) I had thought about putting one of those L-shaped metal bookends at the start of each row, but worry about them moving around and potentially scratching the wood.

Empty stationery box ... Hmmmm. I might actually be able to dig something up from around my office.

How about something decorative, like a bookend?

I will probably use decorative bookends at the end of each row (where the books stop and don't quite fill the entire shelf), but would rather not use one at the start of the row.

And speaking of bookends, my goodness there are "only" 1,537,296 different varieties to choose from out there. I don't even know what I like bookend-wise! Gonna be hard to make up my mind.

they look nice, tr!

we have a couple of bookshelves in the kitchen like that and i just have the books that i don't use very much there... i had shelves in a past house that were like that and i just put books that i wasn't as interested in or weren't in as good shape there!! (then again, we have lots of books!)

i would vary the hts of the shelves to add some more interest too! :)

If your library has a book store I imagine you could find "uninteresting" books for a great price, and I'm sure amazon.com would have some that don't even cost a dollar. You might be able to find a great bargain in underwater basket weaving. :)

busybee3, it seems to me that the heights of the shelves are already varied.

How deep is the recess Jen? You might be able to incorporate some bookends. But if the recess is too deep you may not be able to enjoy the pretty bookends.

I also like the idea of a "filler book". You could cover it with fabric or something to add to the decor.

You can also put fat books there, so they'll stick out enough to see. (Old textbooks that you had to pay a fortune for but no charity will take.) Or a deck of cards. And the thin embarrassing book. That spot is where I always hide a thin religious book given to me as a wedding present from a dear relative who has passed. I don't want to trash it because she wrote some nice things in it but I don't want anyone to see it and think it's mine.

"The thin embarrassing book." LOL! I came across a couple of those last night as we were sorting through our stash. "What Your Doctor Won't Tell You About Menopause" was one in particular that I wouldn't want the world to see. DH also has a book entitled "Hitler." I'm pretty sure it's just a historical biography, but it looks funny settled in nicely next to DH's devotional readings.

I usually either go with the fat book, a magazine holder, and sometimes just have a pile of books on their sides.

I had that problem with one bookcase and I filled the slot with white-pained boards that were book height and depth.

A small stack of books would be an easy fix. You don't have to cram them all the way to the corner. That would also be good spot to place art/collectibles.

Hey Jen, just a suggestion on the bookcase "styling". I personally think it looks good to have some books stacked upright and some in stacks laying. If that makes sense. Check out this blogger (and designer) and her bookshelves. She is forever restyling them and has just added grasscloth to the back. I think this time she has too many of the chinese jars, but you get what I'm talking about.bookshelves

I have the same issue with my shelves. I put a paperback, one that I don't mind hiding and that is the same thickness of the recess, in that spot. The next book is properly placed, easy to see, and easy to pull out.

You may want a fairly good size book, length wise, so the first viewable book will sit on the shelf level, without the back edge of the book tipping toward the side of the bookcase where there could be a void with too small of a spacer.

Clear as mud?

LOL, who'da thunk this is actually "A THING"? But it is! I'm glad you understand what I'm trying to convey, and the suggestions are all great - thanks so much.

Although I didn't really want to buy anything, I think what may be easiest is getting some "filler" books that I can use just for this purpose. I pass by Half Price Books on my way home from work anyway, so I may stop in this evening to see what's on their clearance tables.

Tina, thanks for the link on "styling." I looked at a couple of similar pages yesterday, so this is helpful. I had no idea that figuring out what goes where would be so time-consuming, but I worked on those darn shelves from 7 until 10:30 last night! I'm a little torn between eventually wanting the shelves filled with books, end to end, top to bottom - and wanting them "styled", incorporating our special objects here and there. I was happy to be able to unpack the four owl figurines that my Grannie gave me before she passed. She collected owls and as a little girl I was just fascinated with them. Shortly before she passed, she got rid of them all but saved four of her favorites for me, and I treasure them. I put them on a shelf with four James Herriott books, stacked one on top of the other: All Things Bright and Beautiful, All Creatures Great and Small, All Things Wise and Wonderful, The Lord God Made Them All. :-)

I had to look at my bookcase. I have a really tall book (that I can see from the side), a really fat book that sticks out, or some that I forgot where there.

You could also put some books horizontally.

Do you have old DVDs or even (gasp) videos? They would fill the gap nicely. If you buy a filler book (Check the library sale shelf or a rummage sale), you could also hollow out the inside, seal the edges, and use it a secret cache box...just don't forget it's there!

Since my bookshelves were always completely full of books arranged by author, I never had to worry about hidden books. The hidden books would be a continuation of the shelf above and easy to figure out.

Bookends or cut some wood to the size of a book and paint it a neutral color...white or black.

In our area, there are several annual book sales which take place over the summer which are organized for various charities. You can fill an entire bag of books for $5, as many as you can fit in the bag, if you go the last day of the sale. You could get many books for your end spaces if you have something similar in your area.

I tilt my books and I also stack them laying down on some shelves to add interest. I do have some that are hidden but the books are mostly decorative anyway so it doesn't bother me (I do all my reading on a Kindle now where I can store hundreds of books)

Your books need not be packed so tightly that they can't be moved a little to the right or left in order to see the title on the spine.

I like the suggestion of stacking a few books on their side at the problem spot. And, on other shelves, only fill it halfway with books and then use a bookend to hold them up, leaving the problem spot completely empty.

And I wanted to add that I have the James Herriott books too! I read and re-read and re-re-read them all. They are my favorites (I like to imagine Tristan as the Mad Conductor). I have them in both paperback and hardback form.

I have bookcases, much like beagles. Personally, I like books on bookcases and not "stuff". I suggest that you just stack books horizontally in those corners, and you will easily be able to read the spines. It also makes the bookcase more interesting if some books are stacked vertically, some stacked horizontally (or many! as the case may be, or is!). I also have a kindle as I ran out of space for my books. I now only buy books I want "forever"- too many!

I have to agree with the idea of lying a stack of books horizontally(spines facing out) on the shelf to hold up the vertical books, just as a bookend would. A couple of shelves, 3/4 full and books centered on the shelf, with bookends on each end, would break up the monotony of too many books, but I wouldn't go overboard with the bookends. As Lisa has said, best if not packed too tightly.

Thanks so much for all of the great suggestions. I'm going to spend some more time "working" the bookcases over the weekend. You've given me such great inspiration (love the photos), and encouraged me to try a few different things on for size. Here's a glimpse of the start on one of the sections. At the moment, I'm trying to utilize what I already have and not go out and buy anything - although I'm sure I'll be keeping an eye out for books and objects that appeal to me for this space when I'm out and about.

Instead of buying books you'll never read, how about storing stationery, like boxes of Christmas/holiday or thank you cards, or depending on the size of the shelf, printer paper in folders? Or similar things that you keep anyway? Things like thank you cards are already in boxes the size of small books.

Jen, I just noticed on the bookshelf where the floorlamp is, the bottom four shelves have the books to the left, and I was wondering why they couldn't be varied. Maybe one shelf with larger books in the middle and smaller books on each end, pseudo bookend style, or a shelf or two with books to the right. I also want to mention Discount Books has vintage books if you're wanting to add a few. Adding your personal items makes such a difference too.