How To Style A Bookshelf - Jenny Komenda

When we first toured the Evergreen House we stumbled on these amazing original built-ins in one of the small, awkward bedrooms. We knew we wanted to try to salvage them and decided that the living room would be the perfect new spot for them. Built-ins of this scale can feel a little overwhelming, so we broke down the process into 5 easy steps to help you tackle the shelves in your own space!

Step 1: Start With Books – We wanted this built-in to act as mainly book storage, so thats where we started. Begin with your largest & heaviest books. This will help give you a nice even base. Stack them both vertically and horizontally to give the shelf some character and movement. Once you have placed your base layer, start stacking your smaller books on top. Group book collections and magazines together for a cohesive look.

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Step 2: Add Vases, Bowls & Baskets – Start with your largest baskets and vessels. Here we propped shallow vintage baskets against the back of our shelves to give them some dimension. Pay close attention to the shape and scale of your pieces. You want to be sure you are evenly distributing the type of item as well as the color and texture. Place larger vessels directly onto the shelf then stack smaller pieces onto your stacked books.

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Step 3: Layer in Unique Decor Items –  Now is your chance to get creative! Place small, unique items on top of books and layer them in front of larger pieces. I love to buy small, unique pieces while traveling and this is a great opportunity to display those items! You can also add in any family heirlooms, vintage and thrifted pieces you have been collecting!

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Step 4: Bring in Some Life With Plants – Wether you prefer real or faux, now is the time to add a little greenery to your shelves! Potted plants & succulents will help bring some life to your look.

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Step 5: Finish with Framed Art – Tilt larger pieces against the back wall and add smaller framed photos. Here we only used art, but this is a great opportunity to incorporate some of your family photos as well!

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We hope these tips will help get you achieve the shelf styling you are after! Don’t get hung up on being too literal with the rules though. Your home should always be an expression of your personal taste, so feel free to get creative here!

We want to see your shelfies! Share them with us by using the hashtag #juniperhomespotlight.