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.
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Let your books lay down
It instantly gives the space a modern feel just by putting all of the books in horizontal stacks.
(See the rest of this incredible house here.)
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Experiment with color
Another easy idea? Paint the entire interior (back, sides, top and bottom of shelves) a high-contrast color:
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:
- 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.
(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.
What’s your favorite way to make a quick change to your home?
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.
Seriously? The 3M hooks for art? Why, WHY have I never thought of this (hitting head with palm)?
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.
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
Your bookshelves look fantastic! I love the way you’ve styled them.
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!
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!
I’m still picking away at the styling of my bookcases. I love yours. Thanks for the tips!
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!!
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.
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.
I am loving the coral paint color! Looks great!
Emily Hewett
A Well Dressed Home
awelldressedhome.com/blog
great tips! i love TJ Maxx too; such great and inexpensive finds to be had there!
Love all of them! Such greta ideas and very easy project. :-)
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!
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!”
Beautiful ideas!!! Wish I had my open shelving put in place in my Living room- I feel sooo inspired by this!
Happy Weekend!
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.
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!
I love the styling of the bookcases!
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:)
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!
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
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
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:)
*** 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]
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
I love your idea of putting art in front of the shelves, really fresh look!
oooh love the warm red and the 3m hooks fabulous!
oops I didn’t read that it was coral! Even better!
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!:)
What great ideas. Bookshelf styling is something I can never leave alone..hehe. Loving your shelves and that color…perfect!
@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.
woww great post good luck..
busana muslim
Hi! Where did you find these shelves? I love the cabinet storage on the bottom.
Hi Sherrie, I found them on Craigslist. Sorry no source :(