Bookshelf Decor Ideas for Stylish Readers

How do I decorate my bookshelf? What should I put on bookshelves? How can I upgrade the look of a bookshelf?

Near the beginning of quarantine 2020 (that seems so long ago!), my husband was working from home and I was struggling with his messy zoom background.

Also, a little DIY weekend project to relax wasn't going to hurt. Count me in!

Bottom line: check out how we build some IKEA bookshelves and arranged them.

Yes, with real books, because we actually live in this house.

The Murphy bed wall

So we started with a pretty good wall.

We moved to this house 9 months ago, and one of the selling points was a Murphy bed in the office. It's a nice looking bed (closet-like).

Next to the elegant bed, was an old, short, orange, and stuffed bookshelf.

It was neither pretty nor functional, because it was so packed that was hard to get a book or put a new one in there.

I did some research about sizes and options and decided to go with two IKEA BILLY bookcases (you can find all the links to shop at the bottom)

Before quarantine, I stopped by IKEA and got the bookcases, because I knew I was going to need a relaxing DIY weekend at some point.

Building and arranging

This is self-explanatory, we built the bookcases and attached them to the wall.

I had to cut the lower back of one of them, in order to not block a vent.

After looking for ideas on how to decorate a bookshelf, I found some that I really liked.

Image Credit: STUDIO MCGEE

I needed help with the layout specifically, more than with selecting the objects.

And here is where I stop and start thinking, can I make it look nice with the things I have?

Yes, you can

I love this bookshelf up here. Who wouldn't?

However, I have many more books than those to fit, and they are not all cream-colored.

I want to keep them organized by theme, not by color.

Also, I bought some new items to decorate these bookshelves, and I have some others around the house.

So, what should I put on my bookshelf?

Use your books! Do you have only a few books? Many books?

Let's talk Marie Kondo's minimalist approach, with a twist.

Here you can read a full article on what she thinks about organizing books. Essentially she recommends keeping what brings you joy, and part with everything else.

To Marie Kondo's approach, I would also suggest keeping what you want your kids to read in the future. I have stolen so many books from my parents' (and in-laws!) libraries.

I wouldn't be the same person today if I haven't been through those books! I have read--almost--all of them. And I'm looking forward to that moment when my kids start stealing my own books with an interest in learning and growing.

What! I got a couple of years ahead, but hopefully, it will happen.

What else? Artwork, pictures, baskets, boxes, trays, plants. Literally, anything that fits (at the end of the article I will add links to shop my favorite pieces, frames, plants, and other options from Amazon).

Check out this article from The Spruce for a list of ideas of what to use, and DIY ideas to even upgrade your bookshelf's inside!

Also, if considering an update on your bookshelf think about trim! You can look into my Pinterest board on Bookshelf Upgrade DIY for specific ideas, like this amazing one:

Credit: Pneumatic Addict

Arranging the items on the bookshelf

These are the tips I learned that can help you achieve a balanced bookcase.

For each shelf:

• make groups of one, two, or three items

• keep an eye on the hight of the items, trying to make it look symmetrical (a tall item in the middle of two lower ones, or one low item in the middle of two tall ones)

• if you have many books, lay some down, and add a small object on top of that group

• layer some taller and bigger items with smaller items in front

Image Credit: Target

For the whole bookshelf:

• try to use the same color scheme (I loved the colors of the picture on top, but I had black/white/some golden items instead)

• if a book's spine doesn't match at all with the color scheme, you can try turning it around, showing the pages instead of the spine.

• move the shelves you arranged around, looking for different shelves arrangements next to each other. You want to avoid arrangements of the same height altogether, or the same number of items altogether.

• big baskets or trays at the bottom always help to tie everything together!

Image Credit: roomfortuesday.com

Image Credit: Maria Killam

Image Credit: briahammelinteriors.com

If you are up for more examples, check out my Pinterest board on Bookshelf Decor Ideas.

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After picture

I still have to shop around the house for some baskets and move things around, but it is such a big difference from the beginning!

Also, I'm thinking about adding that trim on the top and painting the back of these new bookshelves. What do you think?

IKEA products and Amazon alternatives

This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost to you.

Here I linked the Billy bookcases I used. For those who are not lucky to have an IKEA nearby, I'm adding an Amazon alternative.

IKEA Bookshelves: BILLY, white, 31" / BILLY, white, 15"

I hope this has encouraged you to try this on your own bookshelf, and I'm looking forward to your questions or comments!