“Shelf Esteem”…from bookcase to showcase!!

By Sandy Dixon, Interior Arrangements, Inc. ©2006 

Your books tell stories and so should your bookshelves.  Along with your collectibles, memorabilia and framed photos, they give visitors and guests a glimpse of who you are….your interests, talents and hobbies.  So with a little time and some artful arranging, your shelves can become an eye-catching focus of interest in a room, instead of an ‘edge to edge’ arrangement of books lined up on every shelf.  All vertical lines on bookshelves can be boring and not warrant a second glance. Similarly, a jumbled assortment of odds and ends competing for space on every shelf will project an uninspiring and cluttered appearance.   

The key lies in combining creative collections of decorative items, greenery and artwork with a well planned selection of books.  The goal is to ‘compose’ a balanced arrangement that warrants a second look. Arranging a bookshelf takes a little finesse and is quite similar to decorating a room.  Balance, color, texture and height all need to be considered, as well as adding some ‘unexpected’ items that make visitors want to look closer. 

Are you ready to enhance the shelf life of your bookcases?  Here are some easy, shelf decorating tips to get you started: 

• First take everything off the shelves---start with a clean slate. Look at each book and decide which you want to keep---those you love and use---and donate or give away the rest (have boxes handy for the latter).
   

• Gather other shelf ‘potentials’ from around the house---collections, memorabilia, art objects, candles, framed photos, plants---and group according to color, finish size or theme.
   

• Books used regularly should be shelved vertically for easy access and can be grouped according to author or subject. An additional storage option for 16” shelves is to arrange two rows of books on each shelf.  Place shorter books against the back wall and another row of taller books along the front edge of the shelf to hide the ones behind.
   

• Color, size and texture need to be considered when arranging books and accessories on shelves. To add emphasis and interest, paint the back wall of bookshelves a deeper color.  Coordinate the color of books with the color of accessories you are using on the same shelf.
   

• Keep things in balance so no one section of the bookcase appears weighted down or repetitive.  Instead of placing groups of books directly under similarly arranged books, alternate stacks of books horizontally and vertically.  Put larger books and accessories on lower shelves and lighter items on upper shelves.
   

• Vary height and depth: arrangements are more interesting if everything isn’t at the same level. Stacks of books, boxes and baskets make perfect risers for displaying accessories.  Place items in front or back of other items for added dimension. For instance place a framed photo or small accessory in front of a row of books.
   

• Negative space: as in other accessorizing around the house, allow for some empty pockets of space.  It not only gives the eye a chance to rest, the visual ‘pause’ it provides creates a greater emphasis on the accessorized spaces. 
   

• ‘Surprise’ tactics: add a personal touch by displaying a few golf related objects next to or on golf books. Place antique toys alongside children’s books, etc.
   

• No jackets required: remove jackets from hard cover books, but leave covers on visual or ‘coffee table’ books (and those that are collectible, rare or have sentimental value).
   

• Book ends: when selecting book ends, consider the size of the books.  For large or heavy volumes, choose larger book ends for a more balanced and consistent look.  Use a horizontal stack of books as book ends on one or both sides of a group of vertical books.
   

• Consider hanging artwork or accessories on back wall above bookshelf.

Adding it all together... instead of looking at your newly arranged bookshelves and seeing individual elements, you should be looking at a composition of well chosen and meaningful pieces that will give guests a snapshot of what’s meaningful to you and your family. Congratulations--- you have raised your level of shelf consciousness!! 

Sandy Dixon, owner of Interior Arrangements, Inc. is a professional real estate stager, trainer, consultant and speaker. She has been featured on WB2 TV and in several industry publications.  For information on training workshops and for presentation topics, contact Sandy directly at 303.674.8667 or visit www.interiorarrangements.com