10 Essential Components When Styling Decor On A Bookshelf

Bookshelves are fairly common pieces of furniture, and their everyday presence in your home can make it easy to overlook their potential as decorative objects. The reality is that with the right approach, you can find many ways to bring beauty into your home, using your bookshelf as a type of canvas to express yourself — but you'll want to make sure you're using the correct essential components first.

Some of the essentials for styling your bookshelf are basic, like books, whereas others may be a little less obvious, such as colors, natural elements, and empty space. Remembering that a bookshelf can be both functional and aesthetically pleasing can provide ample inspiration when it comes to fitting it with gorgeous decor. Add actual pieces of artwork to admire and baskets to help it become an organizational resource. If you learn how to decorate a bookshelf with the appropriate balance of these and other components, yours can become a thing of beauty and the envy of family and friends alike.

There's nothing that dresses up a bookshelf quite like metallic accents. Whether you choose small metal animal figurines, candlesticks, a metal-framed picture, or an antiqued globe, these little splashes of gold, silver, or bronze can make your bookshelf's decor seem extra refined. No need to go overboard with these accents, though; a little goes a long way. Start here if you need to brush up on how to decorate with metallics.

Remember not to overdo it with your bookshelf's decor. You'll want to arrange the decorative elements with care, ensuring that they are sufficiently spaced out to prevent any one section from feeling overcrowded. One good way to guarantee that your bookshelf's decor looks balanced is by staggering your pieces; try spacing out plants, picture frames, and other accents, adjusting them as needed if one section becomes too visually overwhelming. 

Elevating your bookshelf's decor is easy with the help of some plant life. Have fun styling your shelves by selecting plants with a variety of textures — think succulents and cacti with intriguing patterns and shapes, as well as trailing ivy plants to break up the sharp lines of your bookshelf. Choose one of these 25 houseplants that are perfect for spaces on your bookshelf; remember to select plants that are suited to the room's conditions for the best results. Finally, if you struggle to keep real plants alive, opt for silk and plastic alternatives.

Tying your bookshelf together, stylistically speaking, can be greatly aided by choosing a color palette that resonates with your living space and your personality in general. You can help bring your bookshelf to life by either painting the bookshelf itself or the backs of the shelves to add a pop of color to your space without being too overpowering. Choose deep, jewel-toned colors to bring a romantic feel to your bookshelf.

Bookends are functional — true — but they also can serve a decorative function. Choose bookends that help complement your shelf, whether that's by bringing a pop of color to it, some interesting shapes, or even a little humor, like with a head-and-tail bookend set. You can play around with a myriad of textures and materials in your bookends, too, elevating whatever look you like best.

A balanced bookshelf will include a variety of elements, including those crafted from natural materials. Woven baskets are an excellent way to add dimension and texture to your piece. Since you can easily place them on the top of a bookshelf, they can extend your visual attention higher than the furniture itself. Once positioned correctly, you can use these baskets to stash items that would otherwise clutter the shelves underneath. You can keep with the neutral aesthetic of naturally colored basket fibers or use a colored one for some added expression.

If you want to depart from traditional bookshelf decor, you can always try adding a splash of brightness with string lights or battery-powered candles. The light could draw the eye to the bookshelf when it otherwise might not pull much focus. Don't want the lights to attract too much attention? Consider fastening fairy lights towards the back of the bookshelf so that they can light up your literature without stealing the show.

Whether it's a family heirloom or a piece that you scored at the home decor store, a well-placed accent piece, such as a ceramic vase or pottery pitcher, can bring your bookshelf to life. Tie your home's decorative theme to your bookshelf by choosing an accent piece that reflects the colors and styles you already feature in your abode.

While decorating your bookshelf aesthetically is important, it's just as imperative not to overdo it. Cramming too much on a bookshelf, whether that's through books or decorative elements, can leave the piece completely unbalanced and cluttered-feeling. If yours is beginning to feel overloaded, try paring down the number of items on it to make room for empty space. If parting with books isn't an option, try consolidating them into sections, which will have a similar visual effect as displaying fewer items would. 

If you use the right approach, your bookshelf can serve both a functional and decorative purpose. One way to guarantee it fulfills the latter is by using it to display actual works of art. Prioritize pieces that are neither too big nor too small for the bookshelf, or you risk it feeling unbalanced. You'll also want a discerning eye when selecting the particular pieces you display; opt for quality of artwork rather than quantity — chances are you only need one or two pieces on most bookshelves to elevate its decor.