Looking for easy ways to decorate built-in bookshelves? Here are 5 tips on how to style bookshelves and favorite book shelf decor.
Did you think I forgot?
Did you think I was going to leave you hanging?
Were you wondering if the beautiful shelves of these DIY built-ins of my dreams, from our first ever IKEA hack…were going to stay empty – forever?
I get it.
I think my family was starting to wonder too.
Because there for a few days, I would walk into my new home office…
And just stand and stare at these new DIY built-ins.
I couldn’t help it.
This IKEA hack of built-in bookshelves on a budget, just turned out so much better than I ever imagined.
And yes, after Shawn and our neighbor transformed these Billy bookcases from IKEA into the built-ins of my dreams…
I was SO excited to decorate them.
In case you missed the step by step of transforming these Billy Bookcases from IKEA…from this –
To this –
You can read the post on how they built them HERE, along with the paint color etc.
Where was I?
Oh yes.
You know.
That I know.
That we both know…
Life is busy.
And also?
I am truly committed to finding my way into a Soft Fall…which means?
Not rushing things.
In case you are seeking that too – read this post.
All that to say?
I allowed the new built-in bookshelves to remain empty for a few hot minutes.
While I was preoccupied decorating our front porch for Fall.
Among other things like, making chocolate chip cookie dough bowls in the air fryer and setting up my new Amazon Storefront.
And honestly?
I think the bookshelves were enjoying their moment in the spotlight, showing off in all their IKEA hack glory.
Even if they were…
Naked.
But there is good news friend!
I have styled the new built-ins in my home office and today I am sharing the details with you, along with a few tips for decorating built-in bookshelves and links to sources for my favorite shelf style decor essentials!
Come and see!
To recap…
This is where we started.
This is where we were last month…
And now?
This is where we are today!
This IKEA hack is all dressed up and ready for the ball! 🙂
Here are a few tips and things to note when it comes to styling bookshelves.
In my opinion?
Less is more.
I actually have this opinion in several other categories of my life too.
But in this new home office that I am curating for myself?
I am holding a very high bar for the decorative elements I want to surround myself with.
This practice is actually the REAL truth as to why I took my time styling these new bookshelves.
I didn’t want to hurry up and throw stuff up, simply to call it decorated and done.
To me –
Decorating and styling spaces is so much more than that.
It’s more important to me how a space feels, than how it looks.
Therefore, there are actually 4 shelves with only ONE item on it.
I like a clean, crisp, uncluttered space to work in.
This way, when my eyes dance around the room while thinking –
I am only absorbing pieces that I love,
either in style or meaning.
And so?
I started decorating these bookshelves space slowly.
Often by placing one meaningful object at a time and letting it marinate. 🙂
If you are looking for more Step by Step tips for shelf styling, I have written an entire blog post on HOW to decorate shelves.
You can read “How to style shelves in 3 easy steps” HERE.
As for these new built-ins?
I started with something meaningful to me.
Shells.
Which brings me to the next shelf styling tip –
Start decorating with something that is meaningful to you.
I love to decorate with shells in the off chance you didn’t already know that about me.
I am a shell seeking crazoid.
In case you are too, HERE is a post all about how to decorate with shells…
21 ways to decorate with shells be exact. 🙂
Oh friend, I have to say that Sanibel Island in Florida is so heavy on my heart right now.
After the devastation from Hurricane Ian this past week, the entire state of Florida and her people have been weighing on heart and mind. I am sure yours too.
Because, some of my favorite memories of all time have been made while vacationing in Sanibel, I started with some of the Tulip Shells we collected there this past February.
Here, I used a stack of vintage books I picked up at a local shop and tulip shells in a clear jam jar as book topper decor.
Yes book topper decor is a thing. 🙂
Think small objects like shells, candles, magnifying glass, geometrically shaped pieces etc.
Decorate bookshelves with framed Art Prints.
Decorating with framed art prints is a great way to add height in the back of a shelf.
Here, I used this Tulip Shell art print by my favorite watercolor artist, Lindsay Letters in this gold metal frame from Target, to connect with the shell decor.
Speaking of Target and this favorite gold frame that I use for all of m 8×10 art prints.
Last week, I picked up this brass trinket box and this faceted ceramic vase, pictured above, to add neutral and warm tones to the bookshelf decor.
My two favorite places I order art prints from are:
Lindsay Letters and Collection Prints.
You may remember that we used one of Lindsay Letters canvas art pieces to decorate a newly shiplapped wall in my Mom’s beach condo last Summer, HERE in this post.
Use promo code: HomewithHeather for a discount from Lindsay Letters.
Below is another art print from LL, called Island Storm, framed in the same favorite $12 gold frame from Target.
When ordering art prints from Collection Prints –
I usually order the digital download and then order prints in different sizes from Mpix photo lab online.
Recently, I ordered Foliage in the Fog by Collection Prints, pictured below, to add a seasonal Fall touch to my otherwise coastal inspired shelf decor.
The shell bowl, pictured on the top shelf and the scalloped bowl on the bottom shelf were lucky T.J. Maxx finds, along with the dough bowl standing upright.
Linking very similar pieces in a variety of price points at the bottom of this post, for easy online shopping.
Keep personal photographs to Black & White Prints.
I tend to find color photos distracting when used as bookshelf decor.
Therefore, I tend to use personal photographs that I LOVE, usually that capture a moment, that I didn’t realize at the time…would turn into a cherished memory.
Here, I have a favorite photo of our girls in a thin metal frame (linked below), sitting on top of one my blogger friend Leslie’s NEW book, A Home To Share.
Literally this book, was just released this week.
It is STUNNING in person, and makes for a perfect coffee table book, or in this case book shelf decor.
I am looking forward to curling up with a cup of coffee this weekend and soaking in all of the beautiful pictures inside.
There you have it friends.
5 Tips on Styling Built-In Bookshelves
1.) Less is More
2.) Start decorating with something that is meaningful to you.
3.) Use Art Prints to add height in the back of the shelf.
4.) Use Black & White photos of a special memory.
5.) Take your time…there is no need to rush the process.
Of course I could add more…
Like how adding texture with plants or faux stems brings depth and warmth to the shelves.
Here, I used bunny tail pampas grass from Amazon in a small ceramic vase to invite texture.
Or how repeating color and materials throughout the bookshelves is helpful.
For instance, the glass apothecary jar full of shells is balanced with the glass trinket box on the other side of the shelves. Along with the repetition of shape through the woven basket and bowls.
But here’s my best advice for decorating –
and a lot of the other “stuff” you have rattling in your mind.
When we invite process over pressure, it’s a game changer.
Don’t believe me?
Stay tuned!
I will be sharing my completely finished home office here on the blog soon!
You didn’t think, I was going to leave this room empty did you?
One thing I do know…
I am taking my time putting the rest the room together.
Shocker.
I know.
Living on a prayer,
Heather
Shop Shelf Decor on my Amazon Storefront HERE.
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first class simplistic elegance that I have watched you slowly complete..
Gorgeous Heather!!!