How to decorate a shelf so that guests will be speechless: 12 tips from interior designers

“An interior is nothing without a carefully curated art collection,” says British designer Keith Kemp. He recommends using paintings to decorate your bookcase: “It’s a fantastic solution that will take your room design to the next level. Use thick frames – this will help separate the canvases from the clutter on the backs.

“Books like this have their own charm: they add a layer of history to a modern space. The pages of old books are often made of beautiful marbled paper: turn them to face the room to break the rhythm of the spine of the book. Old leather bindings and vintage books can work the same way,” says Kemp.

“You don’t need to think about how to place books stylishly: let the shelves themselves do the work. Paint them in a color that supports the interior – this, in my opinion, is one of the simplest and most effective solutions. Do you want to surprise your guests with a library? Upholster the wood with the same fabric as the chairs, suggests designer Fran Keenan.

“The combination of books and decor on a shelf always looks great. Intersperse the volumes with artwork, photographs, jewelry and other personal touches, and ordinary shelves become dynamic style showcases that tell your unique story,” says Keith.

“The most impressive shelves I saw were complemented by lighting. Experiment: place LED lights above books and regular lights next to them, try LED strips or even garlands,” advises Kemp.

“Using wallpaper is a great idea to decorate a shelf. You can choose ones that cover the walls, or you can choose a completely different pattern that gives movement to the space and creates a stunning effect,” says interior designer Christopher Rollinson.

“You can decorate a shelf using color blocks: group the covers by shade and achieve the desired effect. There is another interesting solution: turn all the books with the pages facing forward and get a neutral option that suits any interior, ”advises designer Kay Douglas.

“Do you have an empty wall and a few extra books that don’t fit on the shelves with the rest? Get out the hammer, that’s all you need. This floating shelf design for the home is one of the most spectacular. The books appear to be floating in the air, which is very impressive,” says Rollinson.

“Be creative: Sometimes the perfect shelf design doesn’t require a shelf itself. For example, fill the space under the bedside table with books or stack them on a chair – this will create a special relaxed atmosphere, ”recommends Keenan.

“The question of how to arrange books on a shelf is very rarely a priority for those who live in small apartments – they are more interested in how to place all the things in the house. In this case, create a functional shelf design: use storage boxes to utilize 100% of the space,” says Kemp.

Sometimes designers give very unexpected tips for decorating a shelf. Leanne Ford, for example, recommends installing a bar in one of them: “This is certainly the solution that your guests will like the most,” she says.

“Organizing space on a shelf can exclude books altogether. After all, we live in an age where a smartphone can hold an entire bookshelf, so there’s nothing wrong with adding decorations or houseplants to the shelves to help open up the space and fill it with “air,” Ford explains.

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