5 Easy Ways to Decorate Your Bookshelves for the Holidays

By Kerrie Kelly, ASID

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1.   Apothecary Jars

One of the oldest tricks in the interior design book is including apothecary jars in your home décor. Use different shapes and sizes to add a touch of elegance and interest to your bookshelves. Fill them with twinkling lights for a soft and romantic ambiance, or add sweets and treats for your guests to munch on during your holiday party. Decorate the exterior of the jars with twine, burlap or colorful ribbon for an extra festive touch.

2.   Garland & Wreaths

Adding a wreath or a garland swag is one of the most sought after pieces of holiday decor. Outfit your bookshelves with a healthy helping of fresh pine leaves, evergreen sprigs or slices of spruce. Sprinkle in touches of Christmas-themed decor like pomegranates, pinecones or lights to really emphasize the space. You can hang the garland on the outside in a sweeping motion, or let it lay naturally on the shelves for a more organic feel.

Image via: Birmingham Home & Garden

3.   Covered Books

Most bookshelves are used for, well, books. To add a little holiday cheer, wrap your books in decorative wrapping, plain brown paper or holiday ribbons for a subtle nod to the season. We recommend looking for patterns like plaid, tartan and polka dots and dark, bold colors like navy, coffee and burgundy. Add some spice with stamps, ribbons and tied-on twigs.

4.  Organic Elements

If your holiday style is more natural than ‘Noel,’ consider adding organic elements to your bookshelves. Fill your vases and decorative dishes with pinecones, nettles, twigs, fruit and leaves, finishing them off with a tautly tied ribbon. Not only will these details liven up your shelving, they will also fill the entire room with an inviting holiday aroma.

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5.  Metallic Details

Lately, metallic finishes have had their moment in the sun as a way to add glitz to an otherwise simple space. For the holidays, metallic details can lend a sophisticated vibe to your bookshelves in the form of candleholders, plates, figurines and knick-knacks. Mix gold, bronze and silver decorations with touches of greenery and an earthy color palette for a natural, no-nonsense shelf. If you want to up the elegance, consider pairing gold or silver-outfitted trinkets with a lighter color palette full of bright white decorations and pastel finishes.

Whether you have floor-to-ceiling shelves, a stand-alone unit or a few wall bookshelves that are in need of some serious style, these tips can be mixed and matched to create the perfect holiday look for your home.

Kerrie Kelly heads up the California interior design firm Kerrie Kelly Design Lab. Kerrie has advised her clients for many a holiday season on how to create a festive look in their homes. Kerrie writes her tips for The Home Depot. To view Home Depot’s holiday decorations selection, you can visit the company’s website.

For more holiday decorating on Stagetecture, click here.

Organization Tips: How to Organize Your Home Library

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Evaluate Your Collection

Take a look through your books and see if there are any that you are willing to part away with. If you are a real book lover it can be hard but it’s essential, especially if you are trying to free up some space. Go through each title and think whether you see yourself giving it a read. If not, consider donating them, gifting them, or selling them. Make separate piles for each and act accordingly. You can sell some to a used bookstore whereas others can go to your friends or a charitable organization.

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Catalog Your Books

While many book readers like to keep it simple by listing their inventory on a spreadsheet, some prefer an advanced cataloguing system such as Goodreads or LibraryThing. These are a simple online cataloguing service that helps you to keep a track of what you own, what you want to keep, or what to wish to give away.

Decide on an Organization System

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After evaluating your books you now have a fair idea about what all your collection includes. This is the time to decide how to shelve them. You can do this in many ways such as sort by genre, alphabetize by author, or sort by size. Or if you own a colorful collection of books you could even organize by color. Choose whatever you think will help you find the book you are looking for without creating a mess.

Reorganize When Necessary

Just as public libraries re-arrange and shift books around when the new ones arrive, make sure to that with your home library too. In order to avoid clutter, occasionally shift your books to make room for the new reads instead of conveniently stacking them here and there without any organization.

Use these organization tips to get your home library in order. When you are done, you will know what books you own, and will be able to lay your hands on the new ones. Who knows, you might even rediscover a hidden gem that you have been wanting to read for years!

Organizing your bookshelves is one thing but making it look stylish is another. You may have organized your bookshelves thoroughly but the fact is that it looks like you’re bringing in a library-look in your interior. Well, there’s nothing wrong about a library setting. It’s just that having it in your home interior can be quite boring.

Image via: Jeri Koegel

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5 Clever Ways to Style your Boring Bookshelves

The good thing is that you can do something about this scenario. There are a number of ways to style your boring bookshelves. Here are 5 clever ways that you can make your bookshelves a highlight in your home interior design:

• Use empty picture frames

This is something that will provide a geometric pattern in your bookshelves. It will instantly create an impact in your shelves, making it look like a decorative spot rather than a storage. You can arrange the frames randomly for better appeal.

• Paint a deeper shade

There’s no better and quicker way to enhance your bookshelves than repainting it. But you don’t just paint it with any color. Choose a color shade that is bolder or deeper than your wall paint on its exterior. This way, you will accentuate the inner shelf and capture attention.

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• Display solid-colored items

Solid-colored items like vibrant vase, sea shells, artworks and everything with striking colors are great for your bookshelves.  These stunning items will definitely command attention and enhance the vibrancy of your bookshelves.

• Add a personal touch

What better way to enhance the looks of your bookshelves than to add personal items to it. You can include family pictures, personal artworks and some DIY project you did in school.

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• Arrange items according to their color

Color coding your bookshelf items will be a great idea to make it look exciting. It will look more organized yet so bubbly to look at. This should be a very simple task yet so effective when done.

Take your pick among these 5 clever ways to style your boring bookshelves. Any of these ideas will certainly make a difference in how you see your bookshelves.

For more home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Bookshelves are a great way to fill up a vacant space, cover a blank wall, add layers to a room, give height to a place, and create an art piece with a combination of books and accessories. Well-styled bookshelves can create a nice statement and can be the focal point of a room. Now, check the ways to transform your boring bookcase into a fresh find perfect for any place of your home.

Image via: Dan Nelson, Designs Northwest Architects

Display Multifarious Things

A collection of various things can give your bookshelf a visual interest. Keep in mind that bookcases are not just for displaying books. You can keep vases, pictures, keepsakes, accessories, plates, and other things too in your shelves. Such a creative composition of varied display looks best in a built-in bookcase.

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Add Layers

Uplift the look of your bookcase by adding layers. Style the shelves by laying books horizontally and placing accessory pieces like statue, she-shells, Japanese dolls, or china clay bowls on top of them. The layered look can be given a certain depth by adding artworks and photos to the already kept books and accessories. Organize everything in a way that they should not look like a mishmash of visually displeasing things. It will also be a good way to highlight your passions. Apart from adding beauty, your hobbies will shine through the space.

Image via: Jonathan Adler

Jazz up the Back Panel

A great opportunity to give a plain bookcase a touch of color, interest, and style is to add a back panel to it. You can use various things like burlap, fabric, or wallpaper as the back panel. Burlap will add warmth to a white, light, or neutral colored bookshelf. It will also highlight the things you keep on the shelf. Fabric will jazz up the look while wallpaper will make a statement and look fabulous behind all the books and accessories. You can add texture and interest to your bookcase by using grasscloth on the back panel. It will also give your place a rustic feel.

Make It Clutter-Free

The ultimate rule of styling any place or storage space is to keep it clutter free. Do not stuff your bookcase with too many books or accessories. Try to keep the displayed items between too-much and too-little. For keeping the extra items, you can use storage bins or boxes and keep them beside the shelf. Otherwise, you can hide the clutter behind a fabric panel. Use a curtain to hide the unpleasant essentials while leaving the rest of the organized part open.

Image via: BHG

Any bookshelf can be transformed from boring to interesting just by adding flair of creativity and personal touches. These abovementioned ways of styling your bookcase will be fun and can be achieved on a budget.

For more home decorating ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Do you want to throw your old ladder away? Well, think again. You may not know what you’re about to lose. There are great things that you can make out of it – many DIY projects just awaiting to be made! Your old ladder can be repurpose into a decorative and functional item at home. These ladder ideas can certainly make an accent in your home interior or exterior. Isn’t that exciting?

The beauty of repurposing an old ladder is that you don’t have to do a lot with your ladder. It can stay as it is – painting is not even required. You just need your old ladder, as it is, and a couple of accessories.

Image via: Eenig Wonan

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So, check out these unique decor ideas to repurpose that old ladder and see how it can work like magic:

Shoe Rack Ladder

You spent a lot in buying shoes and yet you just keep it in storage when not in use. Why not showcase them? With a ladder shoe rack, you can make your shoes as decorative items at home. Strap on your shoes on each step of the ladder all the way to the top. This idea will also save you time looking for your shoes in a bunch of storage.

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Ladder Lighting Fixture

This is perfect for both interior and exterior decorations. Use your ladder as a holder for your lighting fixtures like chandelier, lanterns and anything you can hang. It creates a perfect rustic look to your design. Make sure to use ropes so you can intensify its artistic design. This is perfect for your patio, garage or even in the living room.

Image via: Eenig Wonan

Bookshelf Ladder

If you want to have an express bookshelf at home, your old ladder can do it for you. This is one of the simplest and quickest project for your old ladder. It’s a functional and attractive addition to your wall design. Attach your old ladder on the wall and pile in your book.

So, you still want to throw your old ladder? Sure not! These are just three of the many wonders that your old ladder can make. What are you waiting for? Get hold of your old ladder and take it to the next level!

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

I’ve been eyeballing my bookshelf and figuring out how I can make room for…well, more books, of course. I’m a hoarder when it comes to books – I rarely giveaway or throwaway anything. This means I’ve had to double up my shelves with books and place an enormous basket beside my bookshelf to put the strays. Not to mention the bedside tables throughout the house that have at least a foot high of my newest reads.

But the wintertime is my favorite time of year for reading. I tend to overbuy books and spend my entire weekend hibernating inside with my newest selections.

The stacks have gotten higher, though, and I felt it was time to finally do it – clean out my bookshelf.

But where do I begin? Where can you begin? Hopefully, I can provide you with a few tips that I learned that can help you declutter your bookshelf.

Image via: Abbott Moon

1) Pick out the books you’ve only read up to page 10.

You know the ones. They seemed like a good idea when you bought them, but the go nowhere plot, bad character development, overdone description, or just something about it didn’t click with you.  So, why do you still have it? Maybe the long lost hope you’ll give it another chance? I’ve long thought the same thing about finally finishing my copy of Moby Dick (but truly, it takes way too long to get to the dang whale), but after a while, I had to accept that I just wouldn’t read it.

And if you’ve had a book for more than a year or two, and you’ve only cracked the spine up to page 5, you probably won’t go back and read it.  It’s time for the bad book to go into the donation stack.

2) Textbooks (not related to a college major).

There are a few textbooks I have held onto (my modern art and Alfred Hitchcock textbook are on this list), but as for Spanish 101 and my nutrition class book? Well, let me just say this, if it’s been a few years since Spanish 101 and you can barely say, “Where’s the bathroom” in espanol anymore, then it might be time to let go.

But, before you donate it, make sure you can’t sell it online first. Textbooks have a short shelf life, though, so you probably will end up giving it away.

Image via: Krieger + Associates Architects Inc

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3) Undesirable How-To and other nonfiction books.

For some bizarre reason I bought a book entitled, “Can you pass these tests?” It was about the various tests that certain careers require you to take. Fascinated at the time, I bought it to see if I could pass them. When I couldn’t pass a single one, I stuffed it into a shelf, never to look at it again. This is right alongside my how-to excel books as well as my blandest book on the planet guide to the Pacific Northwest (I think I could’ve bought better).

These are books that have been on my shelf for years and I have not even looked at them once (not even in passing as I dust my bookshelf). If this sounds like any of your how-to or nonfiction books, it is time to let them go.

4) Books that were once gifts.

I respect any friend or family member that step outside of their comfort zone and actually give me a book as a gift. Sadly, though, the taste in books that some people have doesn’t always match mine (science fiction military novel anyone?). These books end up in a back corner on the shelf, probably behind another book (we don’t want that family member actually asking me if I’ve read it, now do we?).

It’s time to put on your grownup pants and find that book and face the pages – this book deserves to find a better home. Don’t let guilt crowd your bookshelves any longer.

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5) Borrowed books.

I once borrowed “The Notebook” from a friend in high school. 8 years later I still have this book. I am not the type of person you should loan books to, because more than likely, you’ll never get them back. But this year – I will return the book (even mail it if I have to).

Find the books people have loaned to you, and return them. If you no longer know where this person is, send out the good karma vibes and donate this book.

It is possible to clear out your bookshelves and make room for your newest reads. It’s a difficult process for any reader, because every book represents a friend. I understand this, I do. But after a while, we all have to clean house. Hopefully, my advice makes it a little bit easier for you.

Happy reading!

Amanda Greene is author and Brand Manager for RHL, leading online dorm essentials supplier. She enjoys writing about college and dorm life. 

For more home organization ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Whether you are a connoisseur of fine reading or you just enjoy having beautiful books lining your bookshelves, there’s no doubt books have a special place in our homes. While many people place books wherever they can fit, creating a focal point for your books can be doubly fun and make an eye-catching destination for the eye to fall when you walk in the room. Here are tips to create literary eye candy while still saving space for your favorite books.

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Let the interior architecture influence the bookshelf:

When thinking of an eye-popping bookshelf many of the forms that are unforgettable are the ones that embrace the architecture of the space. Whether it is sympathetic – the book shelf plays off of the existing shapes, and detailing of the adjacent walls and architectural features, or is unsympathetic – doesn’t correlate with the adjacent interior features, bookshelves can create a feature in itself. Stand back and take note of your room’s natural curves, lines, and styling. Play off of these when building your new bookshelf. Designing your home now? Why not ask your designer to play off of a curving staircase, a two story fireplace, or a breath-taking atrium? Bookshelves can add dimension to any space.

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Bookshelf furniture is no longer boring:

While you can still buy a rectilinear bookshelf with 3 shelves there are so many more choices out there, so why not try them out? From ultra modern and minimalistic to organic and curvilinear, there aren’t any shape configurations that haven’t been thought of. Artisans, designers, and furniture designers have found a new niche of design expression through bookshelf varieties. From ones that spell out words, to bookshelves that encompass seating, beds, and even fireplaces, there is no limit when it comes to bookshelf design. Choose your fav and let your bookshelf speak for itself.

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Let your books become the focal point:

Shelving for books has become a hot topic for designers and homeowners and in more recent years interior trends showoff color coordinated book spines placed together, and matching books together strictly for their appearance as opposed to their content. Let your books become the instant conversation starter in your entertaining spaces. Take cues from colors in your interior furniture, textiles, pillows, and window treatments and match your books to create a unified and designer look. Don’t know where to shop for colorful books? Try vintage and thrift shops where you can buy affordable books, regardless of their content but for their colorful covers!

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Whether you are trying to make your library more eye-catching, or your dining room wall just doesn’t have enough pizazz, think of adding literary eye candy to make your room sing. Saving space, displaying your favorite books and creating an interior design style with your best hardbacks have never looked so good.

For more home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Having a home comes with a responsibility to clean up and clear out the clutter. A clean and organized home provides pleasant surroundings and promotes healthy living. The time and efforts exerted in cleaning will definitely pay off. In addition, a clutter-free home prevents potential accidents to take place.

Cleaning can be very tiring and time-consuming. It requires keenness to do it efficiently and effectively. Cleaning and clearing your home can be planned so that you don’t waste your valuable time and energy. When cleaning your home consider writing down what rooms you will tackle on what day. Consider having a chore for each member of your family to take the stress off of one person and to share the responsibility of a clean home.

Here are some of the systematic procedures to clean up and clear out the clutter at home:

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Decide what to keep and what to toss

This process involves assessment of personal belongings to keep and throw away. It can also be your home decorative items and accessories that are not functional or damage. Instead of throwing your stuff away, you may gather them all and have a garage sale. Also consider selling them online, donating to a charity, or repurposing into new items to use around your home.

Sort and assess

After deciding what to keep, sort out your things accordingly. This may take you some time but sorting your things will definitely provide better accessibility in the future.  Sorting will also ensure that a certain belonging is really something to keep or not. Try sorting out items by what you can use now, what is seasonal – for example holiday, special occasion or for unique events and what items are just taking up space. Sorting can also be a mental decluttering process. The more items you have around you, the more you feel you have to hold on. Assess what is important and what is just ‘there’ taking up valuable space.

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Organize your belongings

This procedure will avoid potential clutter. Organizing your personal belongings, home decors, tools, accessories and other things at home will help you regain the control of your time. You can do this by using storage boxes, cabinets and containers in placing your stuff. Take some time to put labels on your storage for easy access and retrieval.

This can be easier read than done. But bear in mind that knowing how to clean up and clear out the clutter at home is absolutely worthwhile.

For more home organization ideas on Stagetecture, click here.