How to Decorate With Bookcases

Bookcases can display far more than books alone.

Bookcases are a versatile decorating tool. Primarily designed to store books, bookcases also create the perfect environment for collectibles, whimsical finds and family mementos. A well-dressed bookcase doesn't have to be purchased new. You can find bookcases in basements, attics and yard sales. A fresh coat of stain or paint can make even the oldest bookcase look new. You can use bookcases in any room in the house, from the kitchen to the bath.

Instructions

1. Mix and match bookcases. Different shapes, sizes and finishes can work together well if you refinish them in the same color or paint them the same shade. If you want a great deal of display space, mixing and matching can work for you.

2. Separate items into groups. Put hardback books in one pile and paperbacks into another. Divide those piles into smaller groups of five to nine books. You can also separate books by author, subject, size or spine color. Place the small groups on the shelves of the bookcase in a zigzag pattern. Start at the left corner of the top shelf and work your way down. This zigzagging helps prevent the collection from looking staged and stodgy, and immediately gives it visual interest.

3. Place the groups of books on the shelf before you introduce other items. Mix it up. Place some books stacked on top of one another, and stand some groups on end. Use a set of stacked books at the end of the vertically positioned books as an impromptu bookend.

4. Gather a group or two of items you enjoy collecting. For instance, if you collect clay pots, display them together like an art collection. On another shelf, add a completely separate collection of some sort. The idea behind grouping similar items is that together they make a greater artistic statement than strewn across the bookcase.

5. Add a touch of whimsy. Items such as a bowling trophy from the 1960s, a Kewpie doll that once belonged to your mother and an old metal advertising sign all add personality and humor to the space.

6. Treat each small group as art by leaving empty space between groups. It can be tempting to use bookshelves as storage for odds and ends, but resist the urge by remembering that "less is more." The fewer items the eye must take in, the greater impression they make.

7. Stand back and assess the overall impact of the bookcase. If you have placed anything too small to be seen from across the room or in any way unimpressive, remove it from the bookcase.

8. Add a decorator touch by painting the back of the bookcase with a bright pop of color. Not only will this color add to the vibrancy of the space, but it will also serve as an attractive backdrop to the collection you have displayed in the bookcase.

References

• Creative Personal Decorating.com: Book Shelf Decorating Ideas
• Real Simple: 22 Ways to Arrange Your Shelves