9 Inspiring Ideas for Styling New Bookshelves

For the past few weeks, I’ve been focusing on the new bookshelves in our living room. This purchase was a long time coming so I’ve been searching for bookcase styling ideas. Before I started styling the new bookshelves, I first looked for inspiration and found 9 inspiring ideas for styling new bookshelves.

I start thinking about new bookshelves for the living room last fall.

Every day when I pass the bookcase in our living room – the one we’ve had for several years, I think about the things that don’t seem quite right. So, I repainted the bookcase.

Then, I saw an article in the Wall Street Journal about the trends in using books as decorative accessories and new ways to style book on your bookshelves (I’ll share that later.).

My decorating hamster wheel started spinning and after a thorough search through Pinterest, I ended up finding 9 inspiring ideas for new bookshelves. I’d love to know what you think about these ideas.

Replacing our First Bookcase

First, here is our original bookcase/bookshelf (Will someone tell me the difference between a bookcase and a bookshelf?) just after I painted it with its new paint color in Amy Howard Bauhaus Buff.

This bookcase has been decorated for every season and every holiday. Here it is as its regular old self just after I painted it for the second time.

Considerations for a New Bookshelf

So, why am I ready to break up with this bookshelf and find a new one? For a few reasons.

• It’s not wide enough for our wall. The wall in the living room – our only wall, actually – is over 12 1/2 feet wide. The ceiling is almost 20 feet high, so the wall can handle a big bookcase. It NEEDS a big bookcase to fill the space. Of the 12 feet+  wide wall, 2 feet is where you pass into our kitchen, so that leaves a good 10 feet + of wall space.
• Our current bookshelf is 4 feet, 2 inches wide, which leaves over 6 feet of wall space on each side. Although we have a large print and a planter on each side, the bookshelf still feels a little skimpy.
• The actual shelves are 4 feet wide. You may not be able to tell from the photo, but they are starting to sag in the middle.
• The wood embellishment that I added at the top of the bookshelf is more French motif than I would like now. I think I want a simpler, straighter molding.
• We just need more display space for books, decorative items and picture frames. Another 2 feet per shelf would be helpful.
• I think because of the size of the wall, the bookshelf needs a heftier feel and bigger moldings.
• Would a cabinet style at the bottom of the bookshelf give us more storage space instead of display space?

Bookcase Needs and Wants

There are lots of possibilities for a new bookcase, but here are a few “for certains”.

• There are no backs to our current bookshelf and I think backs would give the bookshelf a cleaner, dressier more built-in look.
• A finished width of 6 feet
• A finished height of at least 8 feet
• Adjustable shelves
• Shelves that are not as long (4 feet)
• White finish
• Divided bookshelf sections

9 Inspiring Ideas for New Bookshelves

Here are the 9 inspiring bookshelf ideas I found. They have similarities but differences to consider. It’s not so much about the styling and arrangements on the bookshelves, but the design of the bookshelves that I am focusing on right now.

1 – Painted Back Wall

I love this painted-backed bookshelf from Kate at Centsational Girl. Kate was my mentor at Haven several years ago and she is so talented. I actually thought about painting the back or using the grasscloth in a soft blue-green-neutral left over from some of our built-in custom bookshelves in the living room and kitchen.

Her shelves fill full, but not cluttered and I love how the white accessories pop again the blue wall paper on the back wall of the bookshelf.

I also love the heavy moldings at the top and bottom of the bookcases. They seem in proportion to the bookshelves. 

Kates bookcases are twice was wide as I have, but it’s the styling of the bookcases that I love.

She uses a combination of books, both vertical and horizontal, art and decorative accessories – exactly what I’m looking for.

My Takeaways:

• top and bottom moldings
• use of books, art, and accessories
• art hung from the bookcase verticals

2 – Ikea DIY Bookcases

I know so many people use IKEA as the basis of their bookshelves and I think that is a great idea from a cost and finish standpoint. I have had Billy bookcases in my office for years. The simple style is great in an office.

In this example, there are no added moldings on the top and bottom. It looks like two wide shelves on the outside and narrow one on the inside.

I love the clean look, but I think I need more weight on the moldings and that a wide bookshelf in the center with narrow ones on the outside would look better in our space.

I did go to IKEA and look at different styles. I also researched Pinterest for IKEA hack bookcases. I seriously considered following suit, but neither Sweet Shark nor I are carpenters. He was not in favor of going that route.

My Takeaways:

• too casual for our site and taste
• want a dressier, more traditional style

3 – Ladder Style

Instead of moldings on the top of the bookcase, this design from Lily Pad Cottage used a metal runner at the top for a library ladder.

I love the idea of a library ladder and I think our space could handle the extra embellishment, but I wonder how a runner at the top would work in our setting.

I like the non-cluttered look of the styling and the variety of items used in the decorating.

My Takeaways:

• consider a ladder
• use a mix of decorative accessories

4 – Books, Books, Books

I found this bookcase styling at Lonny via Instagram.

This is one massive wall bookshelf wall. It’s hard to determine the actual width and height, but the impact is obvious.

We could definitely fill our bookcase with just books. We have hundreds. I do love the straightforward simplicity of having just books and the symmetrical placement of the shelves. Everything is lined up and neat.

This room has more of a true library feel rather than a bookcase in a living room.

My Takeaways:

• decorative elements (picture frames, accessories, art) are non-existent
• symmetry – I like that all the shelves are the same distance apart

5 – Custom Bookcases from You Know Who

I loved this bookshelf from The Makerista for two reasons: First, the use of a library ladder, but this time with a wall bracket and rod on the front of a false front above the bookshelf. I love the contrast of the dark metal against the white painted wood.

And guess what? This is one of the best IKEA hacks ever. I would have never guessed.

The fluted molding on the front of the bookcase is another addition that gives a design feature as well as a great way to hide the separation between the individual bookshelves.

Our two bookcases have a vertical line down the center, so this might be a great option to consider. Since we already have fluted columns in other areas of our home, this would tie in with the existing trim.

My Takeaways:

• all the shelves are aligned
• the shelves are not overcrowded
• a mix of accesories
• pops of color
• vertical fluted molding

6 – Minimal Bookcase Styling

You can’t see the entire bookcase of this design in one image, but the design from Click and Love is interesting, minimalist and well-thought-out.

You can tell that this bookcase has been carefully curated with a lovely mix of sculptural pieces, using ceramics, stone, and metal.

There is a nice mix of shapes – don’t you love those tall, cylindrical pieces and the chunky stone bookend?

I’m pretty sure that the greenery is faux, which is a great option for a bookcase. I would hate for water to seep through and ruin the wood shelf.

Be sure to visit the site and see more of the styled bookcase.

My Takeaways:

• use a mix of shapes for interest
• use a mix of materials
• books – fronts or backs showing?

7 – Symmetry and Balance

Sarah Montgomery shared this almost perfectly styled bookcase. Everything about this bookcase is restrained.

Using a mix of open bookshelves and cabinetry, this bookcase serves two purposes: display and storage.

There is a simplicity of objects and materials that has a serene vibe. I can see standing in front of this bookcase when you need a calming moment.

I did notice that the middle column of shelves has a heavier weight, but I’m sure that was intentional.

My Takeaways:

• do I need to consider lower cabinets?
• keep the design balanced and symmetrical
• use materials and color to pull the eye in
• leave plenty of white space

8 – Bookcase and Desk Combo

We’ve all heard of Emily Henderson. She does have a distinct style. On her blog, Style by Emily Henderson, she showed off this bookcase/desk combination. If you have or need tis set up, then this design is one to follow.

I’m assuming that this is a custom bookcase because of the oval shape at the top.

Pops of color in the books, art and plants gives a sense of energy and playfulness to the design.

And, of course, there is the library lighting at the top. I think that is a great feature – I’ve seen people use that in the IKEA hacks. I love lighting on a bookcase and have had a lamp on ours for a long time.

My Takeaways:

• the metal lighting
• the pops of color
• the quirky accessories

9 – Color Galore

I actually found this image when I was doing a roundup post on summer decorating ideas. The image is from Shop Society Social.

Like the one other selection here, this bookcase combines display and storage. It’s not a large bookcase, but it packs a wallop of color and variety.

I was immediately attracted the bright colors of blue, pink, orange, and green, primarily through the use of books, but also accessories.

The idea of place an ottoman in front of the bookcase is an interesting one. If you have the room, I think it works well, both as a visual element and a place to sit and enjoy the view.

There is a clear feminine touch to the entire scene.

This bookcase as a lot going for it, but I have to say that it does have a stuffed feel to it. And there is very little negative space. I’ve love to see what it would look like with about 1/3 of the books removed. What do you think?

My Takeaways:

• use of bright colors with books
• books stacked horizontally
• funky accessories
• pretty velvet ottoman in front

Bookcase Overview

These 9 inspiring ideas for new bookshelves have me in bookcase overload. It would be hard to choose just one that would offer the right style, scale and design for our bookshelf space. A combination of the best elements from each one – as long as a cohesive result is reached – is my best advice.

Which style do you like the best? Which elements do you like most? Help is needed.

Luckily I convinced Sweet Shark that new bookcases were necessary. They have arrived and are set up in the living room. Using these inspiring ideas for our new bookcase has begun.

And here is the big reveal of our new bookcases, carefully designed and ready for the big time.

I hope that these images and my synopsis of each bookcase example is helpful to you. I’ve looked through them several times and notice something new each time.

I encourage you to save this post to your relevant Pinterest Boards for follow-up study. It is always the best way way to go back and find inspiration.

You can also find ideas at these Pinterest Boards: Home Decor, Accessories for the Home, and a new Board, Bookcase Design Ideas.