It takes more than built in Bookshelves, custom raised panel wainscoting and a plank ceiling to create a beautiful library. Creating a library takes books and creating a beautiful library is all in how you style your bookshelves. “Styling” is just a fancy word for “putting stuff on the shelves”.
I mean, we can all enjoy the beauty of finishing a project and these builtin bookshelves are no exception.
But once the shelves are filled with books and treasures, the space feel homey. Not to mention it’s a functional feature!
Styling Bookshelves
1. If you don’t have enough books to completely fill your bookshelves YET, you can fill up some empty space by leaning a few books up against the end of a row of books. I do this on several random shelves, alternating the angle on different shelves. 
- I like to organize my books by height. I try to put books that are relatively similar in height on the same shelf.
- On shelves where I want a single topic of books to be placed, I put the tallest book on the left and gradate down to the shorter books.
I like to be random about how the books sit on the shelves. Some are straight and tall. Some are stacked in piles. Some are lounging around all slouchy, leaning on one another…almost ready to fall over.
But even amidst my chaos –is order. The stacked books go from largest to smallest and the slouchy books are all the same height.
6. Above all, make YOUR eyes happy. You are the one living in your home and enjoying your space so you are the one who gets to decide what works for you.
Put on some good music, dance around like a crazy person and have fun Styling your Bookshelves!
mommahen says
How many times can I say “LOVE!” Well, how ever many times, that’s how much I LOVE this space! Great work. It’s stunning.
Sandra says
Thank you. You can say “love” as many times as you want. Heehee 🙂
Anne @ Unique Gifter says
I don’t recognize enough of your books to be able to make a literary in-joke, darn!
Sandra says
Ha. I probably wouldn’t have gotten it if you had. 😀
Kimberly says
Why did you choose to point your chairs toward the door rather than the windows? That seems like such a non traditional choice, it would have never occurred to me.
Sandra says
It may not look as small as it is because of my wide angle lens, but that room is tiny. I tried many different furniture layouts when I was trying to get my feature light in there and this is the only way it really works. Plus, I like the chairs to face the door. I don’t like people being able to sneak up on me.
K @ Shift Ctrl ART says
So beautiful! Wow. I love the red pillow. Perfect!
Sandra says
Thanks!
Stacy says
I am so impressed with you! Not only do you have mad building skills but amazing decorating skills as well.
Sandra says
Back atcha Stacy! (and thanks!)
Liz VanKirk says
Beautiful as always 🙂
Erin's Creative Energy says
Love it, love it, love it!!!
Inspire Me Heather says
Your bookshelves look great, thanks for posting your tips! I’ve got this linked to my home libraries post too today, well done!
Jenna says
It’s been a while since I popped in on you (sorry!) so this is the first I’ve seen of your library progress. LOVE it! Great job styling too. 🙂
Carol S. says
Ahhhh, lovely and love all the style details you provided. I’m imagining you now spending your days sitting on those chairs getting absorbed in novels, I would sure love to. Inspired me to add more books to my family room bookshelves that are presently primarily tchochkes!