STUDY SHELVES
A3. Start with one section at a time. My bookcases is divided into three sections. I like to tackle one section at a time and then move on to the next — almost as if each section is a stand-alone case. I find it easier to do this because it's not so daunting. You'll notice by the final photo the composition is different than it is in this shot.
A Susan Duane Save Email 5. Mix up the height. I use books to add height to items. Try ordering items from the tallest to the shortest. I wouldn't do this for the entire case, because all of the tall things would end up on one side. It'll work better if you tackle each section one-by-one, and have just a few of the groupings move from tallest to shortest. Be sure to take a step back every now and then to get an overall view.
A7. Pick a color palette. I think keeping the color palette simple is key to a pleasing composition. Here, I mainly used black, white and silver. For something a little unexpected, I hung one of my favorite photos of the children from one of the dividers for the shelves. I also like to incorporate some type of storage, like the basket I used for my magazines. It keeps the messier items tidy looking.
Start With One Shelf Project time: 30 minutes If you don't have the time to take everything off the bookshelf at once, play around with each shelf individually. Start with one shelf that seems overly cluttered and group like items together (this could mean similar colors, sizes and styles). Think of each shelf as a section and work on the individual spaces before tackling the project as a whole unit (which is sometimes too overwhelming). As you gain more confidence with sorting, processing and organizing, you'll be able to easily see how all the parts relate and organize accordingly. Pro technique: Pull all the books toward the front, allowing only a little of the bookshelf floor to peek through the front. This lining up of books will give the space a uniform front and keep books in line even if they're different lengths.
Remove Everything and Start Over Project time: 1 to 2 days Try painting the back wall the same color as the surrounding walls. The unifying color will read clean, polished and organized. I love scouring the web for ideas and inspiration for extra motivation. When you do so, notice trends and themes and how bookshelves are being styled.
Use these options to fill in spaces where there aren't books and to help keep unsightly items presentable. Magazine files. Corral your flimsy-looking magazines. I love using WHITE magazine files for a crisp, clean touch. Bins and containers. No matter how hard we try to organize a space, sometimes items just aren't visually attractive. A textured bin or lidded container always lends a helping hand.
Let a weathered wooden ladder serve as a rustic shelving unit for anything from shoes to garden tools.
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