Put a new bookcase in your space? Or you already have a bookcase and every time you look at it you think What a mess! I need to clean that up, then this article is for you.
Remember, bookcases can hold more than just your books. You want to make this space more than your books. This space can celebrate a curation of many items. I’m getting ahead of myself. So, let’s start by clearing/emptying the shelves.
1. Separate/Organize Items
Before placing the items back on the shelves, separate them by size, shape, color or texture. I first look at all the items together and notice patterns. Is there more blues? Or do I see more large books? How many non-book items do I have? What about textures? Then I separate based on size. While separating, I pay attention to what pattern finds itself in all the different piles. Here you see your color theme. Does it go with the rest of the space? If not, you may have to edit. Don’t buy anything new until you’ve used or edited what you already have.
2. Step back and note
Do this throughout the whole process. Step back and note the colors. Are too many of the same color together? Move them around. Try to keep it even.
3. Placement
Start with the large items first. These will be the anchor pieces to your whole bookcase. Coffee table books, vases, sculptures, a lamp, or maybe a plant. You’ll want to lay them out on the different shelves in almost like a zig zag pattern. These can be moved around as you go, but it’s a start to allow you to spread out the height.
4. Fill in the rest
As you fill in the rest of the shelves, consider placing books upright, or pile some flat, and scatter other objects around. Book ends are a great addition here. You can find some cool vintage ones. Mix up material here using maybe a metal bookend, or stone. Try to incorporate different textures and materials now and then. Some examples as mentioned before: use a small glow lamp, a bowl, or a small plant. Play with placements. Some objects might work, some might not. Just experiment.
5. Pattern
Again, always step back and notice patterns. Maybe at this point, you’ve decided what your main color scheme will be, or what pop of colors you may have in there. You can bunch certain colors together if you want, or spread them out throughout the whole bookcase. Really, it’s how you feel.
6. Go Vintage
Don’t go out and buy random items just to style your shelf. Always look at what you have. Maybe something from your travels, or something your grandmother gave you. If you do go out to look for items, always try flea markets. Look for things like a brass bookend, a random bust, a glass vase, or a cool sculpture. You never know what you may find.
Adding touches of vintage always brings in warmth and depth to your space. Afterall, people, we are readers and writers – so, we are all about being deep.
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