skip to main content

bookshelf styling in family room

Danielle Marshall

5 years ago

I'm working on styling these shelves (work in progress)! Any advice??

Featured Answer

kudzu9

5 years ago

Not to be insulting, but it looks like a sparse collection of unrelated bric-a-brac attempting to inhabit that space and gathering dust. There really is no way to "style" that and make it look good. I am of the opinion that bookshelves should be used mainly for, well, books.

You should ask yourself: "Are these objects -- other than the photos --important or meaningful to me and my family, or am I just using them to take up space because these bookshelves are here?" If the answer is the latter, put the irrelevant stuff in a box in the attic and start fresh. Do you have books, videos, or some type of collection or hobby that would allow a theme on those shelves?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

jmm1837
5 years ago
Add books. The classic recipe is 1/3 books, 1/3 other pieces, and 1/3 open space. Personally, I like to up the book quotient :)
Related Discussions
Bookshelf arranging, anyone want to critique/help?
Q
Comments (38)
I'm glad you all like it!! I used the same color as my kitchen cabinets- SW hardware 50%. In the pro classic paint-water based- primed with oil base. Its definitely a battle of woods here with DH &this friends! But, they all like it now after much griping--men! Thank you! I love when people update their dilemmas here so thought I would share:)
...See More
Bookshelf arrangement, tchathcki overload?
Q
Comments (79)
As somebody who doesn't(and wouldn't) read e books, and is firmly stuck with paper ones-my bookshelves become harder and harder to style lol, and I should probably start giving some books away...but some, I'd never part with. They followed me around the world..literally..some of them look the part too:) So what-I still remember that feeling of awe when I opened them for the first time, be it 30 or 20 years ago..for that reason, I keep my kids' favorite books too even though they're less likely to enjoy these fairy tales now. Each really great book, you re able to re read many times, and find something new in it yet again. If I saw your Grisham, Rebecca, it would warm my heart, because it would remind me of my Mom-she loves Grisham, and each time she visits me she buys yet another Grisham in a library store..)) So who cares whether it's Grisham or not, paperback or hardcover-do what pleases you, and what conveys who you are, it's your home. You never know what people will think about worn out Grisham-it just might suddenly bring someone closer to you that you thought, for all sorts of reasons. Or he might be so absent minded he won't notice the books at all, and maybe the shelves too..I know people like that:) And if somebody's not that much into books that's fine..some of my friends are big music connoisseurs, but hate poems for example, would never read anything if it's a poem..I don't understand in music (I do listen to it of course; I just don't have no deep understanding, no real passion) but love poems, and deeply enjoy them. Each of us can share something with another that might temporarily take this another to a place different and maybe not comfortable but new and enlightening maybe and not like anything else. I don't care for this style to be sincere but I did follow the thread, to some degree..I do admire your attitude though. Your home will always be warm and people will flock to it..whichever way you style your shelves :)
...See More
Where can I find this bookshelf?
Q
Comments (8)
@Addition Planner, thanks. How is the quality from Birch Lane? I have never ordered anything from their site before. I found a 5 shelf on Walter E. Smithe's site but it is expensive and out of my budget. https://www.smithe.com/sarreid-five-shelves-bookcase/40249-1162/iteminformation.aspx I'm wondering where I can find something similar for less than a third of the price!
...See More
Bookshelf styling help with lots of books
Q
Comments (18)
See the one with the red sculpture on the top? It's under the books with the spines turned in. Take the bottom shelf with ONE vase. That's the best shelf. Then a shelf like the one above is fine. And the other shelves should be more like the bottom shelf. The shelves above have too many little decorative items. For the record I have walls of books and they could look a lot better than they do. There is really nothing wrong though with rows and rows of books interrupted by a vase or some great large bookends every so often. I don't think you want to style too much -- otherwise, you'll be irritated if somebody wants to read a book and doesn't put it back!
...See More
Izzy Mn
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
The things look a little lost on the shelf , maybe because of the dark wood as a background. Try using some foam core board and either wrap with fabric, cover with some wall paper and place pieces cut to size on back of each shelf. Get two larger, at least kind of matching, statement pieces,. One at the top of each shelf unit. Maybe some led lights on each shelf. You could run the power cord behind the foam core boards.
Izzy Mn
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I'm glad you liked my suggestions. Another thing is you could use some color. Is there a accent color in your room? If not, maybe a candy apple red. Spray paint a few things with that color, not too many. Possibly the tall wood candle sticks and the white rectangular box on the left (I can't tell what it is) Also, turn the mirror the other way so it's taller, maybe have it off center a bit, put the clock or brown jug in place of the light colored vase on mantle. Maybe paint the candle sticks a blue and mirror frame red. Things look better in grouping of three, of varying heights. To get more height add some old books or even blocks of wood painted under items, like the three candles on the right. Don't be afraid of a little open space when making groupings. You can spray paint just about anything. Look around your home for things you like the shape of but not right color. Go to a thrift store and get old books for using to make things taller. (but inspect books carefully for bed bug, I heard they are sometimes avenues for carrying them into your home)
Danielle Marshall
Original Author
5 years ago
update!! new mirror and some new items...
millworkman
5 years ago
"bookshelf styling in living room"

What happened to "books"? To my eye it looks just as out of place as the first pic with a little more crap added. Just my .02.
jmm1837
5 years ago
Add books. Lots of them. They will give some weight and substance and your objects will no longer look "lost in space."
Izzy Mn
5 years ago
It's looking better!! Keep working it. Do you have a couple of matching pictures /frames. Try putting both together on the same shelf. Do a search in Google how to decorate open book shelves, a lot of stuff comes up with some good ideas.
Danielle Marshall
Original Author
5 years ago
Which shelves should I add books to?
kudzu9
5 years ago
Most of them...
Saypoint zone 6 CT
5 years ago
Try the home decorating forum
jmm1837
5 years ago
Here are some ideas. I'm not a fan of all of them, but maybe they'll give you a place to start.

Nancy Island Lane · More Info

San Francisco Pied á terre · More Info

Happy Midcentury · More Info

Big Glen Lake Residence · More Info

Related Stories

DINING ROOMS Room of the Day: Grown-Up Style in a Family Dining Room

By Jeannie Matteucci

Easy-care fabrics, a lighter color palette and a great furniture save help a Boston-area family get the transitional look they were after

DECORATING GUIDES Room of the Day: Adding Comfort and Style to a New Jersey Family Room

By Becky Harris

Layers of natural textures and pops of color help create a welcoming and cozy space for a couple and their baby

ROOM OF THE DAY Room of the Day: Family Room With a Lively, Eclectic Style

By Marianne Lipanovich

Childproof furnishings, classic features and a mix of materials highlight a room designed for both kids and adults

ROOM OF THE DAY Room of the Day: A New Family Room’s Natural Connection

By Becky Harris

Stone and wood plus earthy colors link a family room to its woodsy site and create a comfy gathering spot

BATHROOM DESIGN Room of the Day: A Family Bath With Vintage Apothecary Style

By Becky Harris

A vintage mosaic tile floor inspires a timeless room with a new layout and 1930s appeal

HOUZZ TV LIVE Tour a Designer’s Cozy Colonial-Style Family Room and Kitchen

By Mitchell Parker

In this video, Sara Hillery shares the colors, materials and antiques that create an inviting vibe in her Virginia home

KITCHEN MAKEOVERS Room of the Day: Happy Retro Style for a Family Kitchen

By Becky Harris

Homeowners and designer work together to create a vintage 1940s look for this New Jersey home

LIVING ROOMS Room of the Day: Glam Comfort in a Tudor-Style Living Room

By Annie Thornton

A family’s 1920s space gets a luxurious-looking update with new furniture, lighting, paint and fireplace detailing

ROOM OF THE DAY Room of the Day: New Style in a Creative Couple’s Suburban Living Room

By Jeannie Matteucci

Classic woodwork and built-in shelving add function and interest and take a Long Island family’s living space to the next level

MIDCENTURY STYLE Room of the Day: A Living Room With Personal, Portable Style

By Mary Jo Bowling

Renting doesn’t mean forsaking style for a California family with a designing mom

Sponsored

Mosaic Design Studio

Creating Thoughtful, Livable Spaces For You in Franklin County

More Discussions

Exterior Makeover Help Needed

12

diagnosing and fixing “weird house smells”

0

Questions about water meters/leak detectors

4

Quartzite crack

6

Replacing Tropitone slings

1