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Easy Change-Ups for Your Bookshelves

February 24, 2012 36 Comments

 

If you’re bored with your decor, sometimes making a couple of small changes can give you a little lift.  For me, bookcases are always a manageable place to start. 

So. . . if you’re looking for something to do this weekend (right!) and want to give your bookshelves a quick facelift, here are some easy ideas.

 

  • Let your books lay down

It instantly gives the space a modern feel just by putting all of the books in horizontal stacks.

 

books

(See the rest of this incredible house here.)

 

 

  • Experiment with color

Another easy idea? Paint the entire interior (back, sides, top and bottom of shelves) a high-contrast color:

 

Lonny Magazine July/Aug 2011, Bookshelf Styling, Lauren Gold's home in Chicago, Design Director for Nate Berkus Associates

Lonny Magazine

(I also like the interior molding they used here.)

 

 

I’ve changed up our bookcases several times since we’ve moved.  This is how they looked at the last house:

 

 

 

 

And, some easy changes I’ve made since then:

 

IMG_9921

 

 

  • Style with a collection or accessory groupings of the same color

Since we have the built-ins in the office now, I don’t need this space for books.  So, I pulled most of them out and pieced together some milk glass and other accessories for a little white collection that would pop against the coral paint.

 

IMG_9924

(Btw, I found these big star fish at TJMaxx last week for $2.  Not as fun as a trip to the beach, but way less expensive!)

 

 

  • Hang art or favorite photographs

Such an easy idea, but often overlooked.  I use these small 3M hooks to hang art, or stack several small framed photographs, postcards, a small mirror, etc.  Instantly gives a layered look.

 

IMG_9925

 

 

 IMG_9926

 

What’s your favorite way to make a quick change to your home?


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Filed Under: bookshelves, design tips

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Simply LKJ says

    February 24, 2012 at 12:41 pm

    Love these ideas! I am ready to change up our library bookcases. Doesn’t cost anything, but sure does make the room feel brand new.

    Reply
  2. Jules says

    February 24, 2012 at 1:01 pm

    Seriously? The 3M hooks for art? Why, WHY have I never thought of this (hitting head with palm)?

    Reply
  3. Laurie says

    February 24, 2012 at 1:02 pm

    Emily – your post is timely. I was contemplating my bookshelves yesterday. Thinking of wrapping all my books and doing some color blocking that way…..now I am inspired.

    Reply
  4. Nancy says

    February 24, 2012 at 1:09 pm

    Love the red backdrop and white accessories in your bookcases. Accessories are my favorite quick change up. Especially when I take them all out of a room every so often,( like for Christmas) and put them back in a different fashion… I just went through my books and took the covers off and found the bindings to be in the colors I needed! who knew!
    Nancy

    Reply
  5. Design Esquire says

    February 24, 2012 at 1:14 pm

    Your bookshelves look fantastic! I love the way you’ve styled them.

    Reply
  6. Simple Dwellings says

    February 24, 2012 at 1:22 pm

    I love the way your shleves look! The coral paint is beautiful. I also like to group together like colors. And white accessories are fun to use! Happy weekend!

    Reply
  7. leanne says

    February 24, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    Thanks for the tips! Such simple ideas to update a space. I think I may change up my bookcase this weekend with the horizontal look!

    Reply
  8. modern jane says

    February 24, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    I’m still picking away at the styling of my bookcases. I love yours. Thanks for the tips!

    Reply
  9. Amanda says

    February 24, 2012 at 1:42 pm

    oooh! I love it! and Im so trying to crane my neck to see the rest of your living room ;-) Loving the pillow on the sofa- it looks like Windsor Smith Riad in Indigo?? I just ordered a sample of that last week and love it!!

    Reply
  10. mwaxter says

    February 24, 2012 at 2:02 pm

    That first picture would make me dizzy and claustrophobic, way too much for me but the others that are more orderly are really amainzg looking, many great ideas here.

    Reply
  11. Katie says

    February 24, 2012 at 2:10 pm

    The exterior shot of that first home is absolutely gorgeous! wow.

    Thanks for these bookcase ideas! I have some el cheapo ones that either need to be replaced (preferably with solid hardwood- $$) or painted (elbow grease). These pictures encourage me to get a move on.

    Reply
  12. Emily @ A Well Dressed Home says

    February 24, 2012 at 2:12 pm

    I am loving the coral paint color! Looks great!

    Emily Hewett
    A Well Dressed Home
    awelldressedhome.com/blog

    Reply
  13. Stacey says

    February 24, 2012 at 2:30 pm

    great tips! i love TJ Maxx too; such great and inexpensive finds to be had there!

    Reply
  14. THE COOK'S says

    February 24, 2012 at 3:01 pm

    Love all of them! Such greta ideas and very easy project. :-)

    Reply
  15. Amy Collins {Fresh and Fancy} says

    February 24, 2012 at 3:05 pm

    I love how you decorated the new shelves – they look so beautiful! The groupings of the same color is a great idea – it looks great!

    Reply
  16. [email protected] Nest says

    February 24, 2012 at 3:49 pm

    Thanks Emily…I think!?
    Currently working on 2 client projects and a DIY chair re-do…now eyeing my bookshelves wanting to re-arrange after seeing your inspiration!
    Little voice in head saying…”Focus, Laura, Focus!”

    Reply
  17. Tina says

    February 24, 2012 at 4:35 pm

    Beautiful ideas!!! Wish I had my open shelving put in place in my Living room- I feel sooo inspired by this!
    Happy Weekend!

    Reply
  18. [email protected] says

    February 24, 2012 at 4:36 pm

    Love the red! And great tip on group collections of the same colour. Makes a big impact. I change up book storage as well (love my books) and also the coffee table display quite frequently.

    Reply
  19. Jessica @ Stay at Home-ista says

    February 24, 2012 at 4:37 pm

    I was nervous about hanging art on my bult ins, but the 3M hook is a great solution, I’m pinning it right now, thanks!

    Reply
  20. 17 Perth says

    February 24, 2012 at 4:49 pm

    I love the styling of the bookcases!

    Reply
  21. Andrea Johnson says

    February 24, 2012 at 5:24 pm

    Love all those ideas. I love putting framed art on the front of the bookshelves and mixing books to lay on their sides and vertically. It’s a little more relaxed. Great post! Love your bookshelves:)

    Reply
  22. Monica says

    February 24, 2012 at 5:34 pm

    The TJ Maxx starfish is darling, I love a good, cheap find! I have a large built in bookcase in my condo and I like to rearrange, add, and take things away from it to change it up every now and then. Thanks for the post!

    Happy Weekend!

    Reply
  23. The Vintique Object says

    February 24, 2012 at 6:43 pm

    Wow, fantastic styling, Emily! And I love the way the orange (tangerine tango?) looks with the navy and black accents on your pillows. That one shot is really awesome, by the way.
    Camille

    Reply
  24. Kathysue says

    February 24, 2012 at 7:12 pm

    Love the idea of a new paint color on the backing. The hooks are genius!.In the summer I turn my books around to see the page side for a lighter brighter look, downside, is you have to turn them around to see what the book title is, but for every day looks I like the uniformity of the look. I always add a real plant or two to give life and texture to shelves. Happy weekend,
    Kathysue

    Reply
  25. [email protected] says

    February 24, 2012 at 7:49 pm

    Oh wow Emily, the bookcases look so great with the backs painted out. I love that you’ve chosen a collection of one colour. I am in the midst of wallpapering the back of a bookcase and am hoping it looks as fresh as yours:)

    Reply
  26. Linda in AZ * says

    February 24, 2012 at 8:05 pm

    *** It looks UBER-nice!!!

    That’s just ONE of the mannny things on my “to do” list, Em, SOOOO I THANK YOU for all the great ideas & “remembering to remind us”!!!

    So nowwww, because my “creative juices are flowing”, my darling Jim is DEFINITELY ONE… SCARED…
    GUY!!! (Yessireebob, this I*S a “man-job, needing ‘supervision’ by a female”… right???

    Hugs n’ hopes you are feeling SUPEB today!!!-

    Blessings,
    Linda in AZ *
    [email protected]

    Reply
  27. mollie's mom says

    February 24, 2012 at 9:40 pm

    I love the coral color inside your bookcases!!! I’m going gray – in the bedroom and since I’m a beach girl I have chosen coral as my accent. Do you mind sharing the name of the color you used???
    marcie @madebymolliesmom.blogspot.com

    Reply
  28. InteriorGroupie says

    February 24, 2012 at 10:42 pm

    I love your idea of putting art in front of the shelves, really fresh look!

    Reply
  29. Annie @ House on Rene says

    February 24, 2012 at 11:25 pm

    oooh love the warm red and the 3m hooks fabulous!

    Reply
  30. Annie @ House on Rene says

    February 24, 2012 at 11:27 pm

    oops I didn’t read that it was coral! Even better!

    Reply
  31. MDM says

    February 25, 2012 at 5:00 pm

    Hi Emily…looks great! I was wondering if you could share the source for the pillows on your sofa? I checked Etsy, but didn’t seem to find them. Also, much luck on your twins….I too was blessed with twins and wouldn’t change it for the world!:)

    Reply
  32. Michaela says

    February 26, 2012 at 3:33 am

    What great ideas. Bookshelf styling is something I can never leave alone..hehe. Loving your shelves and that color…perfect!

    Reply
  33. Emily A. Clark says

    February 27, 2012 at 3:20 am

    @MDM–I had the blue & white pillows made from some fabric I found at a local fabric store. I think it’s made by Ronnie Gold Design but I can’t find a link online.

    The black pillows are discontinued from PB.

    Reply
  34. busanalayali says

    March 3, 2012 at 4:37 pm

    woww great post good luck..
    busana muslim

    Reply
  35. Sherrie T says

    March 8, 2014 at 5:43 pm

    Hi! Where did you find these shelves? I love the cabinet storage on the bottom.

    Reply
    • Emily Clark says

      March 9, 2014 at 9:31 am

      Hi Sherrie, I found them on Craigslist. Sorry no source :(

      Reply

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