Transform Your Bookshelf From An Eyesore Into A Showstopper With This Cheap Décor Accent

Bookshelves are more than just storage for your favorite reads — they are staple furniture pieces that allow you to display everything from books and photos to trinkets and candles. If you know how to decorate a bookshelf well, you can easily create a stunning focal point that shows off your personality and design style. And while there are plenty of trendy ways to style bookshelf decor, one thing to always look out for is over cluttering the shelves, as this creates an eyesore. Framed photos and artwork make an impactful addition to your bookshelf, but the way you display them makes all the difference. With this idea, you can clear up some much needed shelf space and display the images uniquely by mounting your framed photos to the backer board and face frame of your shelf using Command strips. This method helps you effortlessly arrange decor on your bookshelf and adds depth and visual interest as well.

The best part about this trick is how affordable it is. Command strips can be purchased for just a few dollars, and odds are, you already have some framed photos lying around. If not, photo frames are easy to find at your local thrift store. During your thrifting trip, don't just look in the frames section — sometimes the miscellaneous bagged items will include tiny picture frames as well. Use the secondhand frames as-is, or give them a makeover with a little paint and a few embellishments. You can also replace the artwork inside a thrifted frame that you love to personalize the project.

To complete this project, all you need is personal photos or art prints, photo frames, Command strips, and, of course, a bookshelf. If you want to customize the frames, grab some paint, faux flowers, or other embellishments. A key to making this decor accent look intentional and organic is to source frames in various sizes. Smaller frames will look great bunched in groups of two or three and attached to the backerboard of your shelf, especially in places where there's open space. Larger frames can be secured to the face frame of your shelf to make them pop and create depth. Try different arrangements until you find the one you like. Then, use Command strips or hooks to hold the frames in place. If you want to rearrange them, you can remove them easily.  

Once you have your framed photos in place, you can customize them further by adding LED strip lights or small decorative lamps to highlight some of your favorite prints. If you lean toward a minimalistic design, try to source frames in different sizes that are all the same style and color for a uniform look. For a more maximalist approach, curate a collection of vintage frames in different styles, colors, and sizes for a more eclectic final product.