Evenings are starting to cool and September is fast approaching. This is the season for cosy nights in, hot chocolates and immersing yourself in a brilliant book. Which brings us to bookshelves – have you ever wondered how to style yours?
Ariel Okin at British Vogue explains how essential bookcases can be to a room: “Shelves full of books can make a space – but they’re also one of the most notoriously tricky elements of a room to get right. Whether you’re aiming for minimal and airy or cluttered yet collected (an English magpie’s dream), balancing the just-so elements of a bookshelf (to place books horizontally or vertically? Objets or non?) can make any home design enthusiast second-guess themselves.”
Whether you’re a minimalist or a maximalist, there are simple ways to highlight your favourite books and put your personality on display without cluttering the shelves. Here are our top tips:
Size matters
Before choosing your bookshelf, decide where you plan to place it and measure the area. Take into account the height, width and depth to ensure your furniture fits and won’t overwhelm your space. If things are tight, use your vertical space with a tall, slim solution like the Lyra.
Consider your book collection and anything else you wish to display to ensure your new bookshelf can accommodate them. Are you looking for a multifunctional piece? Shelving with an integrated desk or cabinet works wonders for small space living. Cleverly designed corner units make the most of unused spaces, adding an extra dimension to the home and perfectly fitting every corner of a room.
Display books stacked in piles
Group your books by colour, subject or author. Stack them in piles with the largest at the bottom – odd numbers work well visually. By leaving space around your books, you create a clean, organised look rather than something that appears accidental and messy.
Embrace negative space
A common styling mistake is to place every book you own on the shelves along with every knick-knack in the house. But when it comes to elevating your bookcase, less is more. Stick to one group of books per shelf and pair them with a couple of prized ornaments, exhibiting a spacious and tailored look.
Add personality among books
Invite guests to discover more about you and your home through your bookshelves. Incorporate objects you love and cherish, such as family photos, precious antiques and treasures from past adventures. The best bookcase is curated with character and used to stimulate your eyes and mind. There’s no better way to give your home an aesthetically pleasing makeover.
Style seasonally
You may like to weave a nod to the current season among your treasures. A warming fragrance, a small vase with flowers of the month – these will add layers to your shelves and appeal to all the senses.
Create a kids’ library
Children want to touch, feel and play with everything they see – so opt for a low option, such as the Akira walnut stacking shelves. These can be stacked as your child grows. Add a few of their favourite books, change them periodically and theme them for seasonal events such as Halloween or Christmas. Then add a cute cuddly toy and items they love to play with, or place toys in a basket that slots underneath these neat shelves. The Cove and Strade collections are perfect for storing books beside their bed, ready for bedtime stories – there’s even space for a small nightlight. Give your space a refresh for autumn and get ready for those quiet nights in with a great book. It’s just what we need after a long, busy summer. Check out all our shelving options online or pop in-store for more inspiration.
