How To Style A Pinterest-Worthy Bookshelf

When your personal library isn’t up to scratch, you only have your shelf to blame.

By Guest Styler | 29th March 2016

Whether you’re weeping about lack of shelf space or you just want to make your bookshelves look totally Insta-worthy, there’s a bookshelf styling method for you.

Stacking

This method could be your new best friend if you’re short on space. It’s easiest to stack by size and type – paperbacks with paperbacks, hardbacks with hardbacks, etc. The stacks can also make a great bookend for the rest of your standing books. Experiment with different heights and intersperse with standing books for a more interesting visual element.

Rainbow shelves

Now, this can be a somewhat controversial shelving method. If you love keeping your authors/series together, organising by colour might make you a little twitchy. But if you just want to make everything look as pretty as possible, rainbow shelves are the way to go. Worried you don’t have enough different colours to pull off this style? Try incorporating some other items such as plants, cookbooks or even DVDs for a fuller look.

A photo posted by Alexis Lampley (@dropandgivemenerdy) on Feb 18, 2016 at 8:01am PST

Decorative objects

Incorporating plants, artwork or little knick-knacks can look great and lend a new dimension to the otherwise stock-standard method of shelving. Make sure any objects are easy to move so you’re not struggling to grab your next read. We all know the books are the real stars here.

A photo posted by Sarah Taviani (@commasandampersands) on Feb 29, 2016 at 9:08pm PST

Cover love

They say not to judge a book by its cover, but who are we kidding? We’re all drawn to beautiful covers. Choose the most beautiful covers in your collection and show them off. This technique works best with sturdy hardbacks, but gently splaying the pages of your paperbacks will help them stand up easily for display.

A photo posted by Christy (@thereaderbee) on Feb 28, 2016 at 11:28am PST

When in doubt, turn to some unique shelves to make the most of your personal library. Incorporate your love of nature and art, or go for a hypnotic spiral to best express your shelf. Here are some of my favourites: