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When many people think of great design pieces for a room, bookshelves are usually a common answer. However, that being said, a fantastically designed bookshelf can actually be a great design piece in a room like a home office. A well-designed bookcase can make a huge difference if you’re trying to update a room’s aesthetic or appearance before you list your home as one of the houses for sale. However, to take full advantage of the design benefits of a bookshelf, you’ll need to know exactly how to properly decorate one. So how exactly should you go about filling out your bookcase? Here are five great tips for decorating a bookshelf and turning it into a great design piece.
Alternate Stacks
A very simple way to design and decorate your bookshelf is to alternate the way your books are stacked. In some areas, your books can be stacked horizontally, while in others, your books can be stacked vertically. Not only does this create an interesting look and design aspect, but it also maximizes the amount of space that your bookshelf properly uses. Simply stacking books in all the same direction isn’t that unique and is quite boring from a design perspective. As a result, try spicing things up with alternating stacks.
When you choose to place your books upright, you can use stylish bookends to keep them in place if they don’t fully fit inside your bookcase. There are so many different bookends that you can buy, from ornate gold to funky animal themed bookends, so visit some of your favorite decor stores to invest in a few sets. You can even add decor items on top of the books you stack horizontally, just make sure they’re not too heavy (as they might dent your treasured books!).
Use Art
Decorating a bookshelf with books alone isn’t that exciting or appealing. That’s why you need to incorporate other pieces in your decoration, like art. Small art pieces can be a fantastic addition to bookshelves, really pulling the design together. Having art can breathe life into the design of your bookshelf, breaking up the monotony of constant pieces of literature. Art and literature have always been closely intertwined, so why not keep the trend going when decorating your bookcase?
Finding art prints couldn’t be easier, and you can add real style to your bookcase with just a few posters and canvases. Try to stick to one key theme if you can, as this will help to avoid a cluttered look. Always source top quality art, as you don’t want poor standard pixelated rubbish making your bookcase look disappointing.
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Include Personal Mementos
Another great way to improve the design of a bookshelf is by including personal mementos as little decorations. For example, you may want to include some small framed family photos or little sculptures and art projects made by family members. Including personal mementos does several things for the design of the bookshelf. First, mementos make the bookshelf much more personalized and meaningful. In addition, when used correctly, they can really add to the design of the bookshelf and make it look much nicer. If you’re looking for a great way to decorate your bookshelf, personal mementos can be a great way to go.
Camouflaged Storage
One way to make your bookshelf both look great and serve a functional purpose is by camouflaging storage within the shelf. There are plenty of storage options that you can use with a bookshelf, including cabinets and drawers. Additionally, some bookshelves can be repurposed to store items such as china. Using a bookshelf for storage can be fantastic, as it allows you to clear up the clutter of your home. However, it does so in a way that doesn’t detract from the overall design and isn’t an eyesore. If you’re someone who struggles with clutter and organization, camouflaging some storage into your bookshelf may be a fantastic option.
Don’t Overpack
A common mistake that people make when decorating their bookshelf is overpacking. Whether it be with books or other decorative pieces, overpacking can absolutely ruin the way a bookshelf looks. When you overpack, a bookshelf will look crowded and cluttered, regardless of how well other areas of the piece’s design were handled. When decorating your bookshelf, try to decorate it sparingly with a decent amount of open space. It’s a fine balancing act, as you don’t want the bookshelf to be too empty, but you also don’t want it to be crowded. Find that happy medium, and your bookshelf will surely shine.
