How to Style a Bookcase

If you’re using your bookcase like most people do – a stable surface on which to pile heaps of books – you are missing an opportunity to add some highly impactful design touches to your room. There are many low-cost ways to style a bookcase to add some design flair. 

Whether you have a full home library or a small bookcase, we’ll offer several tips for how to style a bookcase (with or without books). 

Organize for Visual Impact 

Experiment with grouping books by color or size and you’ll see some interesting patterns emerge. Another easy adjustment is alternating horizontal rows with sculpted horizontal stacks of books. These subtle changes can have a pleasing effect on the eye.  

Leave Open Spaces for Something Different 

Instead of filling each bookcase section with publications, consider leaving some block-shaped gaps in the overall pattern. This new blank space is a canvas for your imagination. If minimalist design is your thing, leave it open and untouched. If you’re looking for a more impactful option is to paint or wallpaper the backing in these nooks to add a unique accent to the room. Or you might choose to place some colorful plants or unique accessories like sculptures in them. The options are limitless, and it’s a powerful way to break up the monotony of row upon row of books. 

Think Beyond Books with Mixed Media 

You can style a bookcase to reflect much more than your reading interests. Consider other media you have stored elsewhere in your house: DVDs, LPs, video games. It’s not merely a matter of consolidating a storage area; by blending in mixed media it adds character and reflects more of your interests. Displaying a few of your favorite classic LPs face-forward is a sure way to pique the interest of your visitors. If you want to go a step further, add some accent lighting above or below your favorite items. 

Use Unique Accessory Items to Tell a Story 

There are likely dozens of items in your home that can add some unique character to your bookcase. Use colorful stones instead of traditional bookends, for example. Or gather up some of the unique items you’ve collected in your travels and see which might be a suitable accent for your bookcase design. Now your bookcase is telling your story.   

Glass or Metal Can Add Visual Sheen 

You may already be exploring how to style a glass bookcase, but even with a traditional bookcase you can add some luster by choosing decorative items that reflect light. These highlights brighten the muted tones of your hardcovers and paperbacks for a pleasing visual effect. 

Add a Touch of Nature 

Adding some rich greenery in the form of potted plants will heighten the color and character of your room. In addition, plants can help oxygenate a room already made dusty by those old books. 

Ditch the Books Altogether 

If you’re seeking a more radical shakeup for your room, consider putting those books in storage and freeing up the entire bookcase for plants, artwork, accent items, or anything you might choose. It’s almost guaranteed to draw more interest than your Dickens collection. 

A Bookcase you’re Proud to Display 

At Adirondack Furniture, we have a wide range of quality wood bookcases. We specialize in high-quality, Amish-made furniture that is built with style and designed to stand the test of time. To learn more, browse our online catalog.