50 Bookshelf Decor Ideas to Stylishly Show Off Your Collection

Styling a bookshelf may seem daunting, but there are so many different approaches that can curate the perfect shelf.

In addition to displaying books, there are so many other decorative elements that will look right at home on your shelves, whether you're showcasing a collection, weaving in framed art, sticking to one particular color scheme, and more.

Below, you will find 50 examples of beautifully styled bookshelves that will appeal to a wide range of aesthetics. Interior design pros also weigh in with four of their top styling tips to keep in mind as you kick off the process.

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Reflect Your Interests

Erin Williamson Design

Use your bookshelf as a means of showing your interests to the world. Love to travel? Style it with a globe, as seen here. Enjoy crafting? Display one of your very own art pieces.
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Display a Collection of Vessels

Desiree Burns Interiors

Use your bookshelves to display a collection of like items. Here, vessels of all shapes and sizes stand out in this living room. Since the bookshelf itself is green and the vessels are all neutral in color, they really pop rather than falling into the backdrop.
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Rainbow Order

Louis Duncan-He

Not everyone is on board with arranging books in color order, but many people are all about opting for a rainbow display like this one. It looks great in children's rooms, living rooms, and more.
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Coastal Charm

Victoria Bell Design

For a charming touch, display various pieces of coastal decor on your bookshelf as seen here. Small pieces of coral can easily sit on top of short stacks of books.

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Museum-Like Art

Mary Patton Design

Use the bookshelf to show off some of your favorite art pieces. To take things a step further and really create a museum-like feel, install a picture light above each painting.
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Add a Plant

Erin Williamson Design

Not sure how to style the top of your bookshelf? Add a plant or two. Greenery will never go out of style and will always help to infuse color into your space.
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Mix and Match Favorites

Louis Duncan-He

This funky corner bookshelf contains an assortment of items—collectible teapots, vessels, and of course, some books. Don't be afraid to mix and match various trinkets.
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Kid-Friendly Corner

Victoria Bell Design

So that your little one can easily tell you what to read out loud during story time, display his or her books facing frontward in the nursery. When kept on a shelf like this one, they practically double as artwork thanks to their bright and cheerful covers.

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Neutral Approach

LH.Designs / Photo by Lauren Taylor

On the other hand, maybe you're in the mood for something more subdued. In comes a bookshelf display like this one, where spines are turned inward. If you're eager to keep your decor neutral, this is the way to go.
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Layer in Frames

Blessed Little Bungalow

Add personality to your shelf by using it to hold some of your favorite framed photographs. You'll be surrounded by friends and loved ones no matter where you go.
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Go Textural

Lorna Gross Interior Design

Add texture to your home by displaying ceramics, sculptural pieces, metal tins, and so much more on your bookshelf. The combination will result in a collected look.
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Make It Playful

Design by Cohesively Curated / Photo by Carina Skrobecki

Keep stuffed animals off the floor and out of the way by giving them a new home on the bookshelf. Your child will easily be able to spot all of his or her plush friends, and cleanup will be super simple, too.

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Fill Empty Space

Design by WORKSHOP studio / Photo by Bonnie Burke

Fill an empty space at the bottom of your bookshelf with a tall plant. Greenery is a great solution if you're looking for a way to finish off your styling but want to be sure to avoid excess clutter.
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Get Eclectic

Design by Caroline Kopp / Photo by Rikki Snyder

For an eclectic look, layer in some decorative objects so that they stand in front of your books. This way, you can admire sentimental trinkets while you sit and work.
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Prioritize Function

Design by Caroline Kopp / Photo by Rikki Snyder

Make your bookshelf multifunctional—this is an excellent approach when dealing with a small space. Turn one shelf into a makeshift bar, another into a TV stand, and use the rest to house your novels, decorative accessories, coffee table books, and more.
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Add Paper Covers

WORKSHOP studio

If you're solely using books as decor, you can cover them with white paper for a more streamlined, simple look.

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Go Symmetrical

Design by BRNS Design / Photo by Spencer Cogburn

Embrace a symmetrical look at a double desk setup like this one. Books sit on the top shelf, trinkets in the middle, and a matching pair of lamps are at the bottom.
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Choose Bookends

Design by Alexandra Kaehler / Photo by Aimee Mazzenga

Don't forget to display some decorative bookends! These come in so many shapes and styles, so there's an option for truly every kind of aesthetic.
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Style the Island Bookshelf

Design by Cohesively Curated / Photo by Carina Skrobecki

In the kitchen, display cookbooks on an island bookshelf and then use the rest of the space to hold other essentials that need a home, such as entertaining supplies, a bin filled with coffee pods, and more.
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Be Bold

Desiree Burns Interiors

For a pop of pizzazz in the living room, wallpaper the backs of your bookshelves to jazz them up a bit. This look is unexpected but full of fun.

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Add Some Glass

Mary Patton Design

Alternatively, if you desire a library-like look, cover the fronts of your bookshelves with glass to add a more formal touch to the room.
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Maximalist Mood

Design by Alexandra Kaehler / Photo by Aimee Mazzenga

Every nook and cranny of this bookshelf is frilled to the brim, making it a perfect maximalist storage solution.
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Leaning Art

Design by Paloma Contreras / Photo by Aimee Mazzenga

Lean art pieces that you don't have room for on the walls on your bookshelf. Since there aren't any nails involved, you can easily switch up what's on display as often as you'd like.
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Library Ladder

Young Huh Interior Design

For a dramatic, library-inspired look, add a ladder to your bookshelf to make accessing titles feel a little more luxurious.

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Think Tall

Design by Alexandra Kaehler / Photo by Reagen Taylor

Make use of the tallest component of your bookshelf and display what you can there in order to use every inch of space available. In this moody, all-black room, bright colored books really pop and add character.
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Mirror, Mirror

Design by Paloma Contreras / Photo by Brittany Ambridge

Nail a mirror to one of your bookshelves for some unexpected whimsy. You could also display a piece of artwork using a similar approach.
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Plate Party

Gray Walker Interiors

If you have a plate collection that is just begging to be admired, consider taking it out from behind closed cabinet doors and arranging it on your bookshelf, where it will add vibrance and personality to the living room.
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Funky Style

Design by WORKSHOP studio / Photo by Bonnie Burke

This funkily-shaped bookshelf illustrates that not every inch of available space needs to be filled for a shelf to look artful—leaving some breathing room can appear intentional.

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Light It Up

Design by Alexandra Kaehler / Photo by Reagen Taylor

Hang picture lights above each of your bookshelves for a luxe feel and to illuminate your room a bit more when it gets dark out. You'll feel like you're curled up reading in a cozy, old-fashioned library.
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Fresh Flowers

Design by Paloma Contreras / Photo by Aimee Mazzenga

Add a vase of flowers to your bookshelf to freshen up your space without having to do any rearranging.
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Extra Light

Gray Walker Interiors

If sconces or picture lights aren't your thing, you can weave a lamp into your bookshelf display instead. This one fits just perfectly in the space available.
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Abstract Moment

Design by Grey Joyner Interiors / Photo by Dhanraj Emanuel

Abstract art hangs in front of a full bookshelf and provides a clear focal point in this living room.

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Kid-Friendly Style

Design by WORKSHOP studio / Photo by Landon Schneider

Colorful kids toys can double as decor. Rather than keeping everything your little ones play with tucked inside of bins, keep some objects on display so that young ones can easily entertain themselves as they please.
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Creative Clusters

Design Directions / Photo by Sarah Baker

Cluster a few pairs or trios of objects together on your bookshelf for an organized, streamlined look.
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Dark and Moody

Design Directions / Photo by Sarah Baker

Bring a twist of dark academia into the living room by displaying an antique-looking bust on your moody black bookshelf.
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Bejeweled Books

https://www.makehousedesign.com/

Jewelry on a bookshelf—why not? Display a favorite necklace from your travels or a piece that was passed down from a relative and allow others to appreciate it as decor even when it isn't being worn.

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Hidden Storage

Sarah Lyon

Say yes to small baskets. Not only do they add texture to the bookshelf, they're also great for storage. Use them to house everything from loose change to spare sets of keys to your matchbook collection.
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Quirky Finds

Sarah Lyon

If you're someone who appreciates quirky decor, lean into it with a piece like this larger than life hand sculpture that will certainly prompt conversation.
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Cozy Cottage

Jessica Nelson Design

To achieve that cozy, cottage vibe, don't arrange all of your books by height or color. You can certainly do that on some shelves, but leave others a bit less curated for that lived-in look.
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Multipurpose Setup

Jessica Nelson Design

A small lamp, trinket tray, candle, and more may seem like objects you'd display on a console table, not a bookshelf—but why not let your piece serve multiple roles? If your bookshelf is in a hallway or near the entry, it definitely can double as a catch-all for everyday items.

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Playful Mood

Studio Peake

Show off your playful side by keeping favorite board games stacked up on the bookshelf where family members and visitors can easily grab them.
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Romantic Elements

Studio KT

Place a few candlesticks on the bookshelf to add a bit of romance to your design scheme. There's something about a good old-fashioned taper candle that will always set the right mood.
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Easy Storage

@houseofchais / Instagram

Large storage baskets placed on lower shelves are helpful for storing away magazines, mail you need to sort, stationery, and other paper goods that you'll want to keep handy.
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Wallpaper Backing

JK Interior Living

If your bookshelf is built into the wall, you'll probably want to make sure that its backing complements your wallpaper or paint color. Either opt for a matching look, as seen here, or stick to the same color family.

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Cool Collection

Sarah Lyon

If you collect books that are part of a certain collection, group them on a shelf all together for maximum effect. Bonus points if their spines are as thick and colorful as these!
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Camouflage Your TV

Studio Peake

If you can't bear the thought of mounting a television directly over the fireplace, here's another idea: Place it on one of your bookshelves instead This draws less attention to the black screen without sacrificing any functionality.
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Add a Basket

Studio Peake

Here's another instance where baskets come in handy on the bookshelf. Steer clear from see-through options for a neater, more mature look.
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Take Your Time

Gray Space Interiors

Remember, there's no need to fill your shelves all at once. Start out by displaying what you have and then leave some space to acquire new decor over time.

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Beautiful Background

Alvin Wayne Interiors

When your bookshelves are positioned behind your computer in the home office, they play another critical role—they're also your video call backdrop! Style them in a way that will make you proud to turn on your camera during meetings.
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Floating Solution

Studio Peake

A floating bookshelf mounted to the wall is a handy small space solution for those looking to take full advantage of their walls.

Bookshelf Styling Tips From Designers

Style Items in Odd Numbers

Groups of three, five, and so on are your friend when it comes to shelf styling, explains Linda Hayslett, the founder of LH.Designs. "Using the rule of thumb of odd numbers can help in making a space feel more interesting instead of jammed with objects and books," she says. "Odd numbers create more of an interest where even numbers will want your eye to create symmetry."

Lay Everything Out First

Having a true sense of what you own will help you when it's time to style. "Take an inventory of your objects as a whole before putting them up on a shelf," Hayslett says. "See which objects naturally flow together on a table first and make groupings."

Display Framed Art

Paloma Contreras, the founder of Paloma Contreras Design, considers art to be "the finishing touch" when styling a bookcase. "It’s a great way to add color, character, and personality," she says.

Mix and Match

Variety is of the essence when it comes to curating the perfect bookshelf. “Mix items of different heights, such as vases and smaller scale sculptures, and incorporate personal touches like framed artwork," says Laura Lubin, the founder of Ellerslie Interiors. "The key is to leave some negative space to avoid a cluttered look, striking the right balance between simplicity and a curated aesthetic.”