A respectable bookshelf should never be static. Instead, they should shift and mutate as your book collection grows. In a similar vein, bookshelf trends are ever-changing, and if you want your shelving to always look fresh and design-worthy, it helps to keep up with the changing tides.
The beauty of traditional bookshelf ideas is that they're essentially timeless. There isn't a moment in history – or one to come – where a classic shelf stacked with bound pages doesn't have visual appeal. That said, there are some fresh and exciting ways that designers are using bookshelves to decorate, from intriguing architectural ideas to simple styling tricks. If you want to give your collection of tomes a refresh, these are a good place to start.
To help you turn your bookshelves into a design statement in their own right, we've taken a look at the latest interior design trends designers are loving in that department. Embrace some of these stylish ideas if you want to prevent your bookshelves from collecting dust.
1. Library walls
Lately, living room bookshelf ideas have been all about the library wall, floor-to-ceiling bookcases that cover an entire wall of a room (or more). (Think Belle's beloved library in Beauty and the Beast, often complete with the rolling library ladder.)
Not only are they a great way to showcase an impressive book collection, but this classic bookshelf trend also promises to stand the test of time. While it might be enjoying a resurgence in the eyes of designers, a traditional look like this one will always have timeless appeal.
Don't be hesitant about taking up an entire wall, either. Home library ideas can actually make your room feel larger. 'Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves create a statement and maximize storage, accentuating the height of the room, while making the walls feel taller and the room feel grander, bigger, and more sophisticated,' explains interior designer Elana Mendelson. She also notes that this bookshelf trend works especially well with built-ins featuring thoughtful millwork. 'For example, built-in bookshelves with an architectural arch bring softness and old-world charm to a space,' she says.
2. Horizontal book stacking
The right bookshelf design might require some commitment (and expense), but styling a shelf is quick, easy, and will cost you nothing. If you want your bookshelves to invite you (and your guests) in for a closer look, the trick is to create little vignettes that break up the standard row of tomes and tell their own story.
A popular method designers have been using is horizontal book stacking. Rather than relying on vertical spines all the way along your shelving, why not lay some of your more intriguing books on their side? 'Mixing upright and stacked books adds depth and interest and prevents monotony,' explains Elana, plus it's also a practical way to style hardbacks or larger books on your shelves that wouldn't fit if stood upright.
3. Balancing books with decor
Rows upon rows of books might be the epitome of old-timey elegance, but they won't necessarily speak to your personal taste in design. If you want your bookshelves to tell a story and feel more characterful, consider punctuating your book collection with decor. 'A healthy balance of both books and accessories helps the shelves feel more curated,' says Brad Ramsey, Principal and Founder of Brad Ramsey Interiors.
Decorating shelves is one of the simple pleasures of interior design, and you can switch up the look seasonally to give your room a refresh. There are no rules here, either. 'I like to style bookshelves in nontraditional ways by hanging pictures on the stiles of library bookcases or within the shelves themselves,' says interior designer Bambi A’Lynn Bratto. 'To make bookshelves feel personal, I also like to include collected items from travel or pieces of heritage — anything that makes the space unique to each client.'
Beyond decorative tchotchkes and objets, consider adding bookends. 'Opt for bookends that harmonize with the overall theme or color scheme,' suggests Lauren Lerner, CEO and Principal of Living with Lolo. 'Additionally, consider introducing potted plants or small succulents to infuse a sense of natural beauty and freshness into your shelves.'
4. Shelves that accentuate architecture
Lately, designers have been thinking outside the box with their bookshelf trends. A standard bookcase won't make much of a design statement, but integrating bookshelves around alluring architectural features like curved walls, or building built-in shelving around doorways or windows, is a guaranteed way to grab the eye.
Take notes from the space above, designed by Ansley Majit of L+P Interiors. The way the shelves and desk wrap around the curved wall is truly unique, and the custom design pays dividends in style. 'Finding ways to take existing architectural elements in a home that may pose challenges and making them both functional and beautiful is one of the most satisfying parts of the design process,' Ansley explains. 'In this case, the curved wall created an awkward shape but by adding the writing desk and shelves it became the most special part of the room.'
Designing a bookshelf in challenging or unusual spaces can also bring focus to a part of the home that's otherwise overlooked. 'In one of our designs, a beautifully curated bookcase in the porch stood beyond a wall of glass windows and doors,' explains Whitney Tingle, Director of Interiors at Christopher Architecture & Interiors. 'Yet, with a thoughtfully refined arrangement, the two spaces became seamlessly intertwined. The result was a harmonious dialogue between indoors and out, drawing you in with quiet sophistication and enticing you to linger on the porch.'
Adding some stylish bookends to your shelving can easily heighten the elegance of your display. This travertine pair would work beautifully in a minimalist scheme.
Vintage tomes add more visual interest to a bookshelf and offer a more classic look. You can buy these antique books from Amazon in bundles arranged by color.
A simple bowl or vase can help to break up a wall of books and add some character to your collection. Choose colors that complement your surrounding room's scheme.
5. Backward facing books
One of the biggest bookshelf trends of recent years is the controversial method of styling books backward (spines turned into the shelves and the pages facing outwards). While loved by some as a minimalist way of decorating with books, others are quick to call it out as an impractical interior design faux pas.
If you're in the former camp and love a neutral scheme, reversing your books' spines is a great way of curating a bookshelf that's in keeping with your theme. As Lauren notes, 'This method is particularly effective if you wish to highlight the consistent color scheme of the book pages.'
6. Color-coded collections
'If you have visually captivating covers, consider color coordinating your books,' says Lauren. Like reversing spines, organizing bookshelves by the color of the spine is another divisive styling idea, but it remains a popular trend nonetheless.
It can certainly make a space look more harmonious if done thoughtfully, too. With the bedroom bookshelves above, for example, each shelf is dedicated to just one color which is then mirrored on the opposite side, making for a more balanced look. Alternatively, you could keep blue and green books in a corresponding room, while brighter reds, pinks, and oranges could be reserved for a room with a similar color scheme.
7. Reserving room for negative space
To avoid overwhelming your space and making shelves overcrowded, it's a good idea to leave some negative space on your bookshelves. This is a styling trend used by designers to allow for a bit of visual breathing room. From a practical point of view, it also makes it easier to categorize books by theme, author, or collection.
'Leaving intentional empty areas makes bookshelves feel less cluttered and more high-end,' says Elana, as demonstrated in the space above. 'Integrating vases, sculptures, decorative boxes, and framed art in these spaces between books also creates an intentional, layered look.'
8. Integrating storage
At their heart, bookshelves are functional as well as aesthetically beautiful, so why not integrate storage into your shelves? As our homes become smaller and our number of belongings grows larger, embracing bookshelves with this multi-functional capacity becomes increasingly important, and it's something designers are prioritizing.
'We like incorporating baskets on the bottom of shelves to provide additional storage while keeping items like video game controllers accessible but out of sight,' says Lauren. You could also consider embracing cabinets in the lower portion of alcove shelving to maximize storage space with a more seamless design.
Classics like Jane Austen belong on every bookshelf. We love these clothbound editions from Penguin publishers, available at Walmart.
Adding a basket to your bookshelves is a similar way to break up a row of books while also adding a functional storage element.
Using gallery lights or a portable table lamp, like this one, will help to brighten your bookshelves and invite the gaze.
These bookshelf trends are a great way to bring an element of visual intrigue to your book collection, whether you're ready for a complete redesign or just looking for a simple style switch-up. With these designer-approved ideas, your bookshelf will tell its own story before you even open the pages.
