25 Bookshelf Decor Ideas Designers Love to Use for an Elevated Space

By Kelly Dawson | Updated on November 05, 2024

Don't Forget the Plants

Not sure what to place on the top of your bookshelf? Grab a green friend or two! Here, a duo of plants add color and texture to this space and will have plenty of room to grow taller as the years go on. Opting for mismatched planters, as Laura Tribbett did here, creates more of a collected, laid back look.

Take Cues From the Library

Rather than perfectly arranging your books by color or height, opt for more of a lived-in, library-like look by styling your collection as Tribbett did here. Leaving some breathing space between stacks and not filling the entire shelf with reads ensures that the end result doesn't appear too visually overwhelming. Better yet, bookworms will appreciate having some space left over for forthcoming releases!

Mix Together Textures and Shapes within One Color Palette

Neatly space out all of your bookshelf accessories for an end result that is complete looking but not cluttered. Here, Tribbett arranged an assortment of plants, books, vessels, and more, staying within a general color scheme yet experimenting with a mix of shapes and textures for variety.