Shelves, whether contained in a built-in bookcase, freestanding display case or in an open shelving configuration, are one of the most difficult things to decorate. Built-in shelving is often beside a fireplace, clearly part of a room’s focal point, but typically has no actual style or design direction. Freestanding units frequently have more of a defined style to start with but still leave a lot of shelf space to fill. And open shelving creates a logistical as well as aesthetic challenge in deciding what to display and how to arrange it in a pleasing but functional manner.
Before starting to decorate any shelf, a decision must be made on the overall look that will enhance the entire room. Function and storage can play a part in the decor but for the most part, modern shelving has a more decorative purpose. For all styles, shelving decor colors should be chosen that a) contrast with the bookcase color and b) tie in with the room’s decor.
Read along for a few examples of shelves that we have designed, filled and decorated, all in a way that enhances the room and home they are in. The most important thing to remember – you need lots and lots of books!
BUILT-IN BOOKCASES – TRADITIONAL
For a traditional look, we like to cozy up shelves with lots of real, vintage or antique books and traditional decor that is keyed to the color and theme of the room’s style.
For the first home, we added a warm grasscloth wallpaper to the back of the bookcase and filled it with dark, style-appropriate books, art and other items. In center, we backed the bookcase with the same tongue and groove panelling as the fireplace and filled it with taxidermy, antique books and boxes. In the last house the oak bookcases, original to the historic house, need little adornment other than colorful books that the clients have read and enjoyed.
BUILT-IN BOOKCASES – MODERN
For a more modern or transitional home, we start with modern, often solid color, monochromatic books that contrast with the bookcase color for a purposefully non-serious book look. We then add objects and art that tie in colors of the room’s decor.
For the first home, we kept the room’s dark stained cabinets and chose a cool blue color scheme for the room and bookshelves that would cool down the dark wood. The house in center has a modern, monochromatic color scheme so we used white books arranged casually to work with the home’s “mod” vibe. The last house is a lightened-up European style so we added color-coordinating books and accessories in a minimal arrangment, taking care to balance the heavy stone fireplace.
STYLISH SHELVING
Unique shelving units can have a great design impact when they have their own distinct look and style. When a shelving unit has a very distinct look, you can take decorating cues from the shelf materials and overall style to decide what items to add.
The shelving unit in the first example is a bar area with a masculine, industrial look so we used a distressed black shiplap back, black steel supports and minimal bar items. In center, in the same house, we created a modern industrial look in the great room with freestanding charred wood bookcases on each side of the modern, minimal, drywall fireplace. For the last example, this kitchen is in a totally remodeled house where we added a light oak display shelf to tie in the wood support columns and warm the cool blue-green cabinets, imparting a cozy English country look.
OPEN SHELVING – KITCHEN
Open shelving in kitchens is a pared-down, utilitarian look that has to be carefully designed for both function and form. In a traditional or modern kitchen, the decor must look kitchen-appropriate and functional, even if not actually used.
In the first example, we installed open shelving on a painted brick wall, creating a textured backdrop for the minimal, functional shelf decor. The kitchen in center has an English Country look that is enhanced by Spode dishes on the pine shelving unit. In the last kitchen’s open shelving area, the backdrop of black and white marble looks gorgeous behind natural, live-edge wood items and antique heirloom china.
BUILT-IN CHINA DISPLAY CABINETS
Built-in display cabinets in kitchens are an excellent way to store and display dishware for people that love their china! These cabinets are a commitment – nothing other than dishes, and possibly cookbooks, will work here. But they are great for those who want their dishes to be a main feature of their kitchen or other areas. We like to use a single uniform dish look to make an impactful statement.
The first example is an English Country-inspired kitchen with a cozy vibe so a wall full of white French porcelain looks great in the blue-green cabinets. In center, in the same house, the built-in cabinets in the hallway area between kitchen and dining room holds Spode Blue Italian china for a more formal look. The butler’s pantry in the last example holds lots of white French porcelain that play off a vintage 1920’s formal lakehouse look.
REPURPOSED ANTIQUE FURNITURE
Antique furniture can be repurposed to create a unique, useful and beautiful piece for contemporary use. A new piece of furniture just doesn’t have the same look and patina as an antique (with rare exception – see below right).
The sunroom in the first example is a tall, octagonal room with a small footprint that needed an impactful piece so we found a large mahogany wardrobe and cut it down in depth to fit the tight space. We moved the beautiful doors to the back of the cabinet, replacing the formerly unfinished wood. The piece in center is an old store counter that we found in the original paint finish and it worked perfectly in this slim foyer to hold lots of family memorabilia in this lakehouse. The freestanding bookcase in the last example is in the same house and is actually a well-done antique reproduction that we used in the long, slim foyer across from a window seat for an unexpected spot to read.
FREESTANDING DISPLAY CABINETS
Freestanding display cabinets are a favorite way to add a lot of style in what could be a very plain area. These cabinets can have more personality that built-ins, the overall shape and materials used adding a strong statement, but filling them correctly is essential.
The first example is a traditional Georgian-style mahogany cabinet displaying china in a mixed casual/formal look in a lakehouse dining room. In the center, rounded black steel cabinets with a distressed wood back set the tone for this basement great room and hold lots of white pottery and natural coral. In the last example, a pair of mahogany display cabinets ramp up the formality in this lakehouse breakfast room and kitchen, storing and displaying white French porcelain.
SMALL TUCKED AWAY BOOKSHELVES
A small, tucked away area is a perfect spot for a small bookshelf or bookcase where it will hold lots of interesting, collected items in what would otherwise be a boring spot.
In the first example, we transformed the small area behind a fireplace into a tiny built-in bookcase where it displays a splash of red books in a blue and white color scheme. In center, a small leftover space in a large island is the perfect spot for cookbooks, offering an interesting look in an all-white chef’s kitchen. In the last example a small, freestanding antique corner bookcase fills the corner at the end of a 10′ antique store counter.
BOOK WALLS
A large wall of books has tons of impact in a room with a studious feel and look. Although they often hold books that are read and enjoyed by the client, we are frequently on the hunt for the right “books for looks” to purchase to fill these shelves.
The bookshelves in the first room are original and in a century-old historic house and filled with books that the client has read. In center, this office bookcase holds a collection of found objects with a backdrop of vintage books that tie in the room’s color scheme. In the last example, this room has newly-built bookshelves covering one wall and filled with antique leather books that add a traditional library feel.
