How to style bookshelves

Bookshelf styling 101!  Let me teach you these simple tips so you can learn how to style bookshelves in your own home – and on a budget! Thanks so much to Walmart for sponsoring this post – as always, opinions are 100% my own. This post also contains affiliate links.

I asked my sweet Instagram friends the other day if they’d like to see my tips for styling a bookshelf and WOW the answer was a resounding “yes”!!

We’re still settling into our new house, so I don’t have an actual room makeover to share with you guys, but I DO have brand new bookshelves in our living room and I love how they turned out!

How to decorate bookshelves:

Here is a video walking you through the whole shelf styling process- and it’s written out below as well!

also – how much do you love this bookshelf?? It’s perfect!

Stagger your books

If you don’t HAVE to use all of the shelves for books, then use this as an opportunity to spruce up your bookshelves, starting with the books themselves!

Gather together books that are like each other, and put them in a traditional vertical line, but then try putting them in a horizontal pile on another shelf.  Also, if you have books that don’t look great on your shelf (like the kids books I showed in my shelves) then put them in a basket at the bottom.

Choose a cohesive color

I hesitate to share this because you don’t want it to be “matchy matchy” – but choose a more neutral color (or wood tone) to tie all of the pieces together.  I chose black since it was already in my bookshelf, and I found some awesome lanterns at Walmart that I loved.  That was an easy one!

Add in something personal:

I got that sweet “autumn skies and pumpkin pies” sign from a friend, so it means something special to me.  I also added a letter board to the top of the bookshelf – it’ll be so fun to change that out!  It adds a little bit of personality to the bookshelves.

Add organic objects & materials to soften it:

When there’s too many harsh angles (squares & rectangles) in a space, it can look more rigid and formal. It’s pretty easy to add organic shapes and textures to soften the space.  Here are some of my favorites:

• throw blankets
• throw pillows
• plants! (real or faux)
• Soft baskets
• Natural elements (we used a salt lamp)

Speaking of salt lamps – do you know about these? We have little ones in all of our bedrooms and we use them at nighttime.

Pink Himalayan salt lamps have been said to:

• clean the air in your home
• elevate your mood
• help you sleep better

And if you don’t believe in this stuff – then at least it’s a pretty pink light that adds some ambiance to your room!

Is it inviting?

I don’t know about you – but a bookshelf with a cozy rug and a soft chair is just SO inviting to me! 

So if you’re able to – focus on the area around the bookcase as well as the actual shelf!

I got this chair from Walmart and holy moly it lives up to the hype!  My husband is so excited we have a cozy recliner – and I’m so happy it looks as good as this!

This rug I put between the two will be even more welcome once our wood floors get installed in a few weeks!  I can’t wait!  This cozy and super soft rug will be even cozier on those cold winter mornings! 

You can shop this whole post by clicking on these pictures below with my affiliate links. I continue to be so happy with the quality, style and selection of the pieces I’m getting from Walmart Home!

If you use these tips on how to style your bookshelves, please tag me on Instagram and I’d love to share you!

Thanks again to Walmart for sponsoring this post – I am so happy to share how we make affordable and stylish spaces in our home!