It takes a little more work to style a bookcase than just tossing hardbacks and trinkets in one spot and hoping for the best. Finding the ideal balance and avoiding an excessively ornate display can take some time. Once the proper proportions are in place, the outcome ought to highlight your most priceless possessions. Though books can undoubtedly take center stage on your bookshelf, don’t limit yourself. While stocking shelves with things that reflect your individuality is always a good idea, there are several stylistic blunders to stay away from. These are the mistakes to avoid while styling bookshelves.
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Mistake To Avoid When Styling Bookshelves
Using Books Alone
Although it may seem sensible to keep your bookshelves just for business purposes (by which we mean books), decorative accents, images, and collections are frequently essential to a well-put-together shelf style.
Adding additional items to your shelves adds character and makes the display look more complete. You can use framed art, a tiny bouquet of flowers, a battery-powered lamp, and unique mementos.
Mixing Too Many Materials
Consider your options for materials and ways to maintain coherence to prevent your bookshelves from appearing disorganized. The ideal contrast can be achieved by combining rustic components like worn books with a lovely blown-glass vase; however, combining brass, wood, glass, leather, and ceramic on one small shelf can give the space an unsettling cluttered vibe. For a more unified presentation, think about arranging things more widely if you’re working with a wall of shelves.
Getting the Scale Wrong
When it comes to styling objects, size counts. Something that isn’t exactly the appropriate size will stand out like a sore thumb, whether it appears dwarfed among the shelves or requires a lot of adjusting to fit. While having a variety of sizes is ideal, striking the correct balance is crucial.
Group smaller items together to give them greater weight. Give huge things enough of space to breathe in order to avoid having an overly crowded display.
Keeping It One-Dimensional
Don’t let your shelves fall flat. Layering is the key to giving your display depth and appeal. This could be displaying a group of candlesticks in different sizes in front of a small mirror that is supported upright on a display stand or placing a little framed print against a row of books. Play around with your stuff and use your imagination to create the ideal look.
Instead of arranging the things randomly across the display area, think about generating a stadium-like appearance by placing the taller items in the back and the smaller items in the front.
Not Considering the Back of the Bookshelves
Though the items on the shelves are undoubtedly the focus, what’s behind them is just as important. Your book and decor collections can have personality added by using a shiplap, wallpaper, or a coat of paint. These subtleties that could otherwise be missed can also be brought out with the aid of good lighting. To highlight back-of-shelf elements, use library lights, tiny lamps, or even candles (if space is limited, choose battery-operated candles).
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