Decorating bookcases is something that boggles the mind of many. Many horizontal surfaces layered above one another, presenting countless opportunities to display your favorite things, but HOW? Where should you start? Are you paralyzed? Wasting time moving one accessory from shelf to shelf and then standing back to see how it looks?
Here are some tips to help make the process a bit easier.
1. Empty. Start by emptying off the shelves you'd like to decorate. Then sort through all items and remove things you don't really like, or any stray items that may have landed on the bookcases.
2. Collect/Shop. Now go around your house and collect items that you'd like to see displayed on those shelves. Take things from your bedroom, office, kitchen or storage area. Consider books, pictures, branches from trees, antiques you've kept packed away, wedding gifts that are still in storage. Bring them out. You should look at your treasures.
3. Place. Now that you have all of your accessories, begin at the top shelf and work down, zig-zagging and balancing the weight of objects as you go. If nothing else, this helps you decide where to place large objects on the next shelf. If you can adjust your shelf heights, do so to accommodate large or small items.
As you start to work, keep these things in mind:
- Don't be afraid to overlap items - creating layers that you can see through. An example is a branch (organic shape) in front of a picture (hard edges).
- Hang pictures on the back of bookcases to vary height and interest. This is especially helpful if you have tall shelves and don't have tall enough accessories.
- Place your accessories in odd groupings; it's pleasing to the eye-but don't get stuck on this rule. One thing you should always do is use items you love and want to see every day. If you vary height and scale you can use even groupings.
-Use hardback books to add visual appeal and color to shelves. If you have colorful hardback books try arranging them by color-creating color "blocks" on a shelf. A blue grouping was used here, as well as other colors that coordinated with the room. And while you're at it pull those books to the front of your shelves, where you can SEE them!
- Paint the back of the bookcase a contrasting color to the walls, or paint foam core boards and cut them to fit the backs of your shelves (this less permanent solution works just as well if positioned right), the same can be done with fabric to cover boards. Also paint switch plates & light switches that area within the bookcase.
4. Admire. Now layout your first shelf and take a step back to see how it looks, if it "works." Keep going, trying different things, shopping your house to find the right size or shaped objects. Once you're happy with one shelf, move on to the next.
Create one now of your new bookcase walls to brighten your home.
Here are some tips to help make the process a bit easier.
1. Empty. Start by emptying off the shelves you'd like to decorate. Then sort through all items and remove things you don't really like, or any stray items that may have landed on the bookcases.
2. Collect/Shop. Now go around your house and collect items that you'd like to see displayed on those shelves. Take things from your bedroom, office, kitchen or storage area. Consider books, pictures, branches from trees, antiques you've kept packed away, wedding gifts that are still in storage. Bring them out. You should look at your treasures.
3. Place. Now that you have all of your accessories, begin at the top shelf and work down, zig-zagging and balancing the weight of objects as you go. If nothing else, this helps you decide where to place large objects on the next shelf. If you can adjust your shelf heights, do so to accommodate large or small items.
As you start to work, keep these things in mind:
- Don't be afraid to overlap items - creating layers that you can see through. An example is a branch (organic shape) in front of a picture (hard edges).
- Hang pictures on the back of bookcases to vary height and interest. This is especially helpful if you have tall shelves and don't have tall enough accessories.
- Place your accessories in odd groupings; it's pleasing to the eye-but don't get stuck on this rule. One thing you should always do is use items you love and want to see every day. If you vary height and scale you can use even groupings.
-Use hardback books to add visual appeal and color to shelves. If you have colorful hardback books try arranging them by color-creating color "blocks" on a shelf. A blue grouping was used here, as well as other colors that coordinated with the room. And while you're at it pull those books to the front of your shelves, where you can SEE them!
- Paint the back of the bookcase a contrasting color to the walls, or paint foam core boards and cut them to fit the backs of your shelves (this less permanent solution works just as well if positioned right), the same can be done with fabric to cover boards. Also paint switch plates & light switches that area within the bookcase.
4. Admire. Now layout your first shelf and take a step back to see how it looks, if it "works." Keep going, trying different things, shopping your house to find the right size or shaped objects. Once you're happy with one shelf, move on to the next.
Create one now of your new bookcase walls to brighten your home.
Hello, How do I get in touch with you? There is no email or contact info listed .. please advise .. thanks .. Mary. Please contact me maryregency at gmail dot com
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