But you don't need to go out and spend a fortune on an antique piece or a mid-century modern look-a-like from one of the big box stores. With a little bit of creativity and the right supplies, you can make your own piece of functional furniture at home.
If you're a beginner, glue together crates (no tools required!) or hang a simple set of wall mount shelves next to your desk. But, if you're an old pro or simply have the chutzpah to give a set of inspirational plans a go, try something truly unique, like a dreamy dollhouse bookshelf that's perfect for a nursery, an IKEA hack complete with drawers and cabinet doors to add storage to a small home office, or a wardrobe turned cozy reading nook.
How To Make Book Shelves
To fill an an awkward gap between a day bead and the wall, these homeowners made clever use of the space by building a bookshelf right into the bed frame. It not only looks great, but also provides easy access to before-bed reading material.
For a small nursery, kids' room, or even a classroom, consider this fun space-saving corner shelf made out of wood. It's even slightly elevated off the ground to leave room for some cool fabric flames to make the whole thing look like it's taking off.
In this era of Zoom meetings, our bookshelves speak volumes. Talking to OprahMag.com, author Lily King confessed that she was wary of audiences scanning her shelves during her virtual book tour. It just makes me really uneasy. It's like, "No, no, don't judge me," she said.
There are countless approaches to organizing bookshelves. While Klugh recommends grouping books by color for aesthetic purposes, those with a lot of tomes may want to stack them by genre or alphabetically so you can access them more efficiently. For a more streamlined look, arrange books by height, with the tallest on both sides of the shelves.
"People hoard books and the knowledge that's in them. They feel like if they let the book go, they're letting the knowledge go," she says. However, she encourages you to consider how often you really use the book, and decide whether or not to keep it. You'll need room on the shelf for other belongings.
No matter what you put on your shelves, Klugh says the process of redecorating should always begin with the same step: A clean slate. "Take everything off your shelf and keep only the things that you love," Klugh says.
That's right: Bookshelves aren't just for books. Amy Kartheiser, principal at Amy Kartheiser Design, recommends mixing objects between books. A few ideas? Family photos in a frame, items in a statement bowl, heirlooms; a propped up plate, or small vases with blooms. When shopping for these objects, Klugh recommends keeping your room's color palette in mind, plus she says to add a mix of wood pieces, glass pieces, and metal. "It creates variety."
Rainbow bookshelves are a controversial topic in the book world. But for interior designers, they make sense. According to Klugh, grouping books by color can create a sense of order. If you don't need to reference the books often, Klugh says, rainbow is an aesthetically pleasing format. Walker puts it another way: Color-coded shelves "quiets the visual clutter."
"When your collection is extremely large and referenced often, having an organizational system that makes it easy to find what you are looking for when you need it becomes more important. In these cases, opt for organizing your collection alphabetically by author or by genre, then author if the collection is comprehensive," Michele Vig, founder and chief organizer with Neat Little Nest, says.
Klugh recommends working with odd numbers when decorating shelves with objects. She illustrates an example using vases: Get one tall vase, one medium, round vase, and one small, wide vase. Or, get three objects of the same color but different textures." Stagger the objects and group them so that they feel like one, so that they're overlapping in front of each other," Klugh says.
"Place your hardcovers on top shelves, and your paperbacks at the bottom. Not only will the organization look better, but it will also allow you to distribute the weight evenly," Andrew Barker, founder of Homeowner Costs, says.
She recommends stacking books and placing a box or candlesticks on top of the pile. The same trick works for artwork and framed photos. "Art can also be layered nicely by framing a larger abstract or simple black and white family photo with a smaller framed piece of art layered in front of it," she says.
According to Miller, baskets can be used as storage and styling objects. "Baskets of all shapes, sizes, and textures can be used on bookshelves to take up space and provide texture and interest," she says. Some options? Wicker baskets, woven baskets, storage baskets with lids, and even graphic printed baskets.
Not sure what to do with that shotglass or seashell collection? Gather them for their debut on your bookshelves. "Whatever your interests are, it's good to bring them together, that way they have the biggest impact," Klugh says.
She recommends placing any travel souvenirs together for reminders of trips.Michiel Perry of Black Southern Belle takes it a step further. She places travel books about a specific place next to items from that place. For example, pair rocks from an Aegean beach with a travel book about Greece.
Colored glassware is equally great for dinner parties and for adding pops of vibrant elegance to bookshelves. Colorful glassware can can also add an unexpected source of delight to your shelves," glassblower Cheryl Saban, founder of Saban Glass, says.
Designers also recommend mixing up how you arrange the books. According to Jamie Novak, designer and author of Keep This, Not That, only 70% should be shelved vertically and the remaining 30% placed horizontal. The horizontal books can be used as platforms to highlight accessories (layers, people!).
When organizing books by height in a single shelf, one rule of thumb is to think in a "Z" pattern. Darla DeMorrow of HeartWork Organizing explains the method. The top shelf can have tall books on the left, low on the right. The shelf underneath should be the opposite: Tall books on the right, low books on the left. Let the pattern continue all the way down.
Rule of thumb, according to Klugh: Put heavier objects, like art books or storage bins, on the bottom of the shelves. Lighter objects, like paperbacks, should go toward the top. "You want to feel like it's well rounded," Klugh says of the bookshelf.
Custom built-in bookshelves cost an average of $2,900, or $300 to $1,200 per foot, depending on the type of wood and detail involved in designing and installing. Freestanding bookshelves can range from $200 to tens of thousands of dollars."}},"@type": "Question","name": "How much does it cost to build bookshelves?","acceptedAnswer": "@type": "Answer","text": "If you're doing a DIY bookshelf, it can cost as little as a few hundred dollars, depending on the type of material. For example, plywood will be much more affordable than oak. Other factors in the cost will include the type of stain or paint you choose, and the cabinets, hardware, or decorative touches added.","@type": "Question","name": "How do you make your own bookshelves?","acceptedAnswer": "@type": "Answer","text": "Building a simple bookshelf is a project that most woodworkers or DIYers can do in a few days for little cost. The basic tools you need include a circular saw, hammer, block plane, tape measure, putty knife, nails, and clamps. Get the wood you want, and you'll be ready to start the project."]}]}] Skip to contentBetter Homes & Gardens - 100 years of powering your passions at homeSearchSearchPlease fill out this field.Log InMy AccountLog OutMagazine Subscribe Manage Your Subscription Give a Gift Subscription BHG Books BHG Archives Get Help Newsletter Sweepstakes Subscribe SearchSearchPlease fill out this field.DecoratingDecorating Rooms Choosing Color Window Treatments Interior Painting Decorating Tips & Advice Fireplace Design Ideas Seasonal Decorating Small-Space Decorating Styles & Decor Home Makeovers DIY Home Decor Traditional Home View All Home ImprovementHome Improvement Real Estate Home Exteriors Outdoor Structures DIY Home Electrical Tips & Guides Home Remodeling Porches & Outdoor Rooms Remodeling Advice & Planning Plumbing Installations & Repairs Flooring Decks View All GardenGarden Flowers Garden Pests Caring for Your Yard Container Gardens Garden Design Trees, Shrubs & Vines Houseplants Landscaping Edible Gardening Gardening By Region Plant Encyclopedia View All HousekeepingHousekeeping House Cleaning Laundry & Linens Cleaning Tips Organization Tips Closet Organization Kitchen Storage Organization Storage Solutions View All RecipesRecipes How to Cook Healthy Recipes Casseroles Chicken Recipes Desserts & Baking Slow Cooker Recipes Beef Recipes Breakfast and Brunch Recipes Global Recipes Quick & Easy Recipes View All ShoppingShopping Shop Our Collection BHG Recommends View All HolidaysHolidays Black History Month Valentine's Day Mardi Gras St. Patrick's Day Easter Mother's Day Memorial Day Father's Day Traditions Entertaining View All NewsNews Home Trends Food Trends Gardening Trends About Us Subscribe Log InMy AccountMy AccountLog OutMagazineMagazine Subscribe Manage Your Subscription Give a Gift Subscription BHG Books BHG Archives Get Help Newsletter Sweepstakes Follow Us BHG's Facebook BHG's Instagram BHG's Twitter BHG's Pinterest BHG's YouTube BHG's TikTok BHG's Flipboard Decorating Rooms Choosing Color Window Treatments Interior Painting Decorating Tips & Advice Fireplace Design Ideas Seasonal Decorating Small-Space Decorating Styles & Decor Home Makeovers DIY Home Decor Traditional Home View All Home Improvement Real Estate Home Exteriors Outdoor Structures DIY Home Electrical Tips & Guides Home Remodeling Plumbing Installations & Repairs Flooring Decks View All Garden Flowers Garden Pests Caring for Your Yard Container Gardens Garden Design Trees, Shrubs & Vines Houseplants Landscaping Edible Gardening Gardening By Region Plant Encyclopedia View All Housekeeping House Cleaning Laundry & Linens Cleaning Tips Organization Tips Closet Organization Kitchen Storage Organization Storage Solutions View All Recipes How to Cook Healthy Recipes Casseroles Chicken Recipes Desserts & Baking Slow Cooker Recipes Beef Recipes Breakfast and Brunch Recipes Global Recipes Quick & Easy Recipes View All Shopping Shop Our Collection BHG Recommends View All Holidays Black History Month Valentine's Day Mardi Gras St. Patrick's Day Easter Mother's Day Memorial Day Father's Day Traditions Entertaining View All News Home Trends Food Trends Gardening Trends About UsSubscribeDecoratingStorage SolutionsShelves18 Effortless Ways to Style Bookshelf DecorByCaitlin Sole Caitlin Sole Instagram Caitlin Sole is the senior home editor at BHG. She is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of interior design expertise. She has vast experience with digital media, including SEO, photo shoot production, video production, eCommerce content, print collaboration, and custom sales content.Learn about BHG's Editorial ProcessUpdated on February 1, 2023ShareTweetPinEmailTrending Videos Photo: Helen NormanBookshelves pull double duty as storage for novels and display space for accessories. Learn how to decorate bookshelves so they are both functional and pleasing to the eye. These bookshelf decor ideas will help you turn an empty set of shelves into a carefully curated arrangement. 2ff7e9595c
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