Open shelving is a great way to share your family’s personality with photos and objects you have collected through the years. To me, the shelves are never done or complete. I am always tweaking and switching out decor items to change up the look.
This past summer we installed a new built-in bookcase and tv stand in our basement. I am sharing with you today the behind the scenes on how I styled the open bookcases.
BEFORE
DETERMINE YOUR REPEATING ELEMENTS
I decided on white, gold, and beach decor as my repeating elements for the bookcases. With repeating elements, it creates a cohesive look.
Decide on your repeating elements. It can be a color or colors, type of decor, texture, and shapes.
START WITH THE FOCAL ELEMENTS
I started with the top middle shelves. I wanted to use silver frames that I already owned on these shelves. Note that they are not identical frames in size or style. You can have the same frames on each side, or you can create two similar vignettes.
IF YOU NEED HEIGHT USE BOOKS
Books are one of those perfect multi-purpose items. Not only for reading, but for styling as well! If you need a little more height in your vignette for an object, add a stack of a few books. Plus it adds interest to your vignette. No need to get larger frames just add books!
ORIENTATE YOUR BOOKS IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS
Books don’t have to be stacked vertically only. Play around with stacking them horizontal and vertical. Spines can be out if they work with your color scheme. If not turn the spines in and display just the pages. Another option is to wrap your books with paper for a cohesive look. A great place to find great display books is at your local thrift store or garage sales.
CREATE VIGNETTES WITHIN EACH SECTION WITH GROUPS OF ODD NUMBERS
Odd numbers work best in individual vignettes. But remember it doesn’t ALWAYS have to be odd numbers.
BALANCE ELEMENTS
Meaning you want the same type, color, size, or objects on each side. We want to do this in each step we do. Example silver frames at the top of each side.
BONUS: The larger frames are both on the outside of each side.
SPREAD OUT THE ELEMENTS BY CREATING V-SHAPES WITH THEM
We want to arrange the elements on the shelves to create V-shapes. Arranging the elements in V’s makes sure you evenly spread them throughout the bookcases and creates balance.
WHITE ELEMENTS
With white objects, I created two V’s in each of the bookcases.
GOLD/BRASS ELEMENTS
Using gold and brass decor items I created two V’s in the bookcases.
ALTERNATE ASYMMETRICAL ITEMS
Alternate asymmetrical items to give the shelves balance.
PRO TIP: Note that the V’s change direction. Flipping the V’s on each side is another balancing trick.
STYLING COMPLETE
Now go out and give your shelves a restyle using the tips I just shared with you!
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