Style Ideas and Tips for Your Bookcase
I’m back this month for another decorating challenge and sharing some style ideas and tips for your bookcase…..or any wall shelf will do.  I will be sharing the links to all these gorgeously styled bookcases at the end of this post. The decorating challenge is where we use what we have to decorate a space each month and challenge you to do the same thing. This month, it’s styling your bookcase or wall shelves.
Style Ideas and Tips for Your Bookcase
If you have been following me for at least one post by now, you know I like to shake things up over here at Duke Manor.  Since this built-in cabinet was originally designed when it was our Family Room, it’s a bit challenging  sometimes to style the cabinet now that the room is technically part of the kitchen. If you want to read more about what the heck I am talking about, click here.
The bottom cabinet is used to store family games and knick knacks, and the upper shelves are styled with a combination of things that I love……. with a slight kitchen flair to it. It’s almost hutch like, but kinda not. Make sense?
When it comes to collections, unless I can have them out displayed and used, I typically don’t bother. So the only things that I enjoy collecting are white platters, pitchers , cake plates , pillow covers and diamonds…why not. Since the platters, pitchers and cake plates are both decorative and functional, housing them on these shelves are perfect.
Here are a few things I like to keep in mind when styling shelves.
- Use things you love…and want to look at. In this case I have things that I love collecting such as the platters and pitchers, but I also personalized the look with photos of my children.
- Use texture in your objects. I use a variety of elements, the wicker tray, the wood bowl and the ceramic pitchers, to give my shelves some visual interest.
- Add a pop of color. With my neutral background and use of white staple pieces , I Â like to add a pop of color to mix it up. This season I added these blue pumpkins and the green artichokes. For most of the year, I like to have fresh flowers on one of the shelves and my children’s artwork.
Regardless if  your shelves are in a family room or a breakfast room, what’s really important is to not just fill your shelves with stuff. Fill them with items that have meaning, have color, have interest. Think about arranging your shelves often and decorate them, just like you would a favorite room. You can never go wrong if you go with something that you love and makes you feel at home.
Ready for some more ideas and tips on bookcase styling. Be sure to visit my Challenge pals for tons more ideas.
Confessions of a Serial Do it Yourselfer
And if you missed any of the other challenges you can go visit any of these links  decorating with trays, use what you have to decorate,  decorating with clay pots, creating a gallery wall
grateful
that my mother’s cancer has been contained
i love your new look…..BUT. I find it difficult to read because the Print is so light. I don’t know if any of your “senior” followers have mentioned this. God bless
Oh no. I will look nto that. Thanks for letting me know.
Love your collections and you’re so right, only surround yourself with things that you love!
Debbie
I love your beautiful new look. Did you purchase or paint the clock? I also have a hard time reading the lighter print.
The shelves look great. Not too much and I love the pops of blue and that oh so cute dog picture.
Your bookshelves look fabulous! Anxious to see the tour:D
Your bookshelves look beautiful! So many pretty things!
Shelley
So pretty, Laura and perfectly balanced! Love those velvet pumpkins. ð
Such wonderful tips!! I always love your spaces, and you style them beautifully. The velvet pumpkins are divine!!
Your shelves are so pretty Laura! (as it your entire home!) I love how soft and neutral they are …along with the pops of wood and color.
Great tips too! ð
xo
Nancy
I have beautiful bookshelves in my great room that I would love to style as you have. My only problem is my hubby thinks bookshelves should be filled with books and nothing more! Silly man! ð I’m working on him. Thanks for some great ideas. I may just use a few to style my dining room table for now.
Your bookcases are always so beautifully styled….you always pay great attention to detail, scale and balance…and always include the unexpected for that wow effect!!
I love the wheat grass decors! Where did you get them?
With so many different styles to select from, it can be hard
to pick the specific type that should be used.
The white black and beige floor tiles give an elegant look.
We always tend to tile the walls of our bathroom as well as the
floors and many times the walls of our kitchen.
I love all your neutral tones and your color choice for the pumpkins. It definitely pops! against the white. I am totally crushing on your chairs now.
thank you so much cricket. as much as I love the neutral pumpkins, kinda missing the orange. have a great weekend!