Christmas Bookshelf Styling Tips

As many of you know back in November I taught a bookshelf styling class at my local West Elm.  It was a fun night, and many of you that don’t live nearby or weren’t able to make it that night have reached out wanting to know if I am planning to share that information here on the blog.  And I am planning to share my super simple 5 step no-fail process to bookshelf stylfing in the first quarter of next year (in full video format!), but to give you a little preview of what’s to come I thought today I’d share just a few bookshelf styling tips to help you with your holiday decorating!

Rocking Your Best Christmas Shelfie

Christmas bookshelf styling tips

bookshelf styling

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bookshelf styling tips

  • Typically the tighter the color story the more succinct the overall look will be, whereas the wider the color palette the more collected or eclectic.  There’s no right or wrong; either can be really beautiful. It all just depends on the overall look you’re wanting to achieve.

christmas bookshelf styling ideas

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Once you’ve decided on your color story, you’ll start gathering ALL. THE. THINGS.  Gather more than what you’ll need so that you’ll have options ready at hand when you start playing with how to display them.  ONLY GATHER WHAT FITS YOUR STORY.  *But plants and metallics work with any color story.

  • Keep in mind that bookshelves and books are linear, so you’ll want to be sure to incorporate round, sculptural pieces to break up all the straight lines to create interest and contrast.
  • Art is great for leaning on the backs of shelves to give character and dimension.

Bookshelf Styling

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When you’ve gathered all the things, you’re now ready to start playing with your accessories.  This is what I like to call “hosting auditions”.

bookshelf styling

Once you’re books are in place, start adding in your larger objects.  To create balance and movement I like to use what I call the triangle method.  Where you create visual triangles to keep color and/or shape moving throughout your shelves.

bookshelf styling ideas

  • Fresh greens are always fun to incorporate around the holidays.  They add color and texture, and bonus that they smell wonderful!
  • I like to turn books around and let the pages show to add more texture, but it also creates a nice backdrop to display special family photos and handmade christmas keepsakes like this paper Santa my husband made when he was a little boy.

bookshelf styling

bookshelf holiday styling

black and white photos display

  • Last but not least the holidays are the perfect time to add some festive book covers.  They’re easy to make, and the options are truly endless!

bookself styling tips

christmas bookcovers

The most important thing is to just have fun with your decorating!  The goal should always be to create what looks beautiful and is meaningful to you.

living room bookshelf

bookshelf styling

Are you still decorating or tweaking your holiday decor?  Am I the only one that has yet to start wrapping presents……I always procrastinate on this every year!  Where are Santa’s elves when you need them?!

 

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