How to Style a Bookcase in 3 Easy Steps

Two industrial style open bookcases styled with a variety of books and decor.

Last updated September 7, 2023

Presented by Alex Evjen of AVE Styles.

These days, bookcases aren’t just for books, and they aren’t a place you can simply throw things on. The #shelfie bar has been set high by Instagram, so it’s more like a puzzle when you’re placing your grandma’s old bell or your collection of American Girl books. To easily solve this style puzzle and get results you love, follow this guide's three simple steps when decorating your bookshelves.

Inspiration Guide

Home Decor Ideas

Living Room Ideas & Projects

Bookcases

Home Decor

Living Room Projects

Wood

Incorporate Knick Knacks
Include Plants
Add Texture
Styling a Bookcase

Incorporate Knick Knacks

Two ceramic bookends shaped liked hands hold three books upright.

The Home Depot has endless choices when it comes to styling your shelves with accents. I found unique bookends like these hands and these marble and gold ones. I also found a variety of wire baskets, wood baskets and trays. I made it easy on myself and stuck to earth tones in my decor and book selection. Everything coordinated with each other.

Include Plants

Potted succulents and stacked baskets rest on a shelf.

Plants are always a great style element to include when curating your shelves. They bring an organic quality to the hard lines and edges of a bookshelf. I found several different types of plants and pots at The Home Depot’s garden center.

Add Texture

A book rests on top of a blanket in a wire basket on a bookshelf.

You also want to include some soft textures with textiles like blankets or pillows to break up the rectangles. A variety of shapes is key.

Styling a Bookcase

Two fully decorated industrial style open bookcases side-by-side.

Now that everything has a place and is displayed beautifully I feel like I can take in a deep sigh of relief. The garage clutter is gone and the guest room is done. Be sure to check out The Home Depot to find your shelfie style and give those knick knacks a home.

Alex Evjen is a stylist turned lifestyle blogger and influencer with almost one million followers. She started AVE Styles in 2010 living in Phoenix, Arizona, and chronicling her journey into the styling industry from the least likely of places. After becoming a Pinterest sensation overnight, her styling dreams came true in the unexpected way of social media. Alex has been featured in InStyle, Glamour Magazine and Huffington Post and has styled for top companies such as Coca-Cola, Neiman Marcus and The Home Depot. She now shares her soul and eye for beauty in all things home, beauty, fashion and motherhood on AVEstyles.com.