Looking for bookshelf decor ideas with books that still leave room for your favorite little things? Think trailing plants, framed pictures and colorful spines.
You can fill the shelves with your reading collection or leave a few gaps for something pretty.
You don’t have to rearrange everything to try a new look. Start with a small stack or a favorite photo.
These ideas include full bookcases, little wall displays and even a record shelf with a layout you could borrow.
Bookshelf decorating ideas worth saving
fantasy covers and trailing leaves
How pretty is this fantasy book display? I love the front-facing covers between the upright books.
The tiny arched door and crown-shaped decoration make it feel like a little extension of the stories.
Try turning one favorite cover outward on each shelf, then tuck a small decoration beside it. Leave room for the trailing greenery along the edge.
rows of rainbow spines
The color lovers are going to love this! Pink and red books lead into yellow, green, blue and purple rows, with pale books across the top.
You can keep your collection as the main decoration here. Mix a few horizontal stacks into the upright rows like the ones shown.
a floating book stack
If you have a narrow patch of wall beside a doorway, this one is worth saving. The books look like a floating tower, with a potted plant trailing down both sides.
For your own version, use a wall-mounted book support rated for the load rather than trying to balance an unsupported stack.
cream books and little paintings
I am obsessed with the little landscape painting tucked into this display. The cream book spines, tan baskets and overlapping frames look so pretty against the brown shelves.
Try placing a small frame in front of a larger one to follow this arrangement. For the candle look beside books, I’d choose flameless versions.
muted colors and a little cat
How cute is that little cat figure? It sits beside a row of pink books, with green and pale blue spines on the shelf below.
The framed leaf picture and rounded vases are lovely too. Pick one small figure you enjoy looking at instead of filling every gap with another accessory.
a gallery above the books
Don’t want your artwork limited to the walls? No problem!
These shelves are filled with overlapping pictures, while a long row of books runs underneath.
I love the mix of tiny portraits and larger prints. Keep your smaller frames toward the front so they don’t disappear behind the others.
yellow flowers and vintage details
Those yellow flowers may just be my favorite detail here. The patterned brown pitcher looks so cute beside the camera and the book stack.
There’s also a small lamp, layered frames and dark bottles on the upper shelves. Try adding one bright bunch of flowers to a mostly brown-and-cream display.
arched shelves with room to spare
If you are looking for something simple and spacious, this one is for you. Small horizontal book stacks sit among baskets and sculptural objects in the two arched shelving sections.
You don’t need to fill every shelf. I’d keep the open space around the central painting just like this.
globes cameras and colorful stacks
This is such a fun way to display a collection. Blue and green globes sit at different heights among cameras, books and a round dial.
The display is on a drawer cabinet rather than a bookcase, but you could borrow the same idea for a wide shelf. Start with a short book stack beside your favorite globe.
a whole wall of books
Sometimes the books really are enough. These tall white shelves are packed with colorful spines, with gold-tone picture lights above each section.
I love that the flowers and white bust sit on the table instead of taking up shelf space. If your collection is growing, let the bookcase be a bookcase!
books tucked into baskets
Want to break up all those rows of spines? Try open baskets like these.
Green and cream books peek out above the braided sides, while a large leafy plant sits beside them.
Read also: 20 Cape Cod Interior Design Ideas With Pretty Blues and Coastal Details
Choose baskets low enough that you can still spot the books you want to reach for.
a gallery around the corner
This is one of my favorite ways to make a small bookcase feel part of the room. The pictures continue around the corner, with flowers, landscapes and a sailboat among the different frames.
A little white animal figure sits on top of the shelves. You could start with a few pictures beside your own bookcase rather than covering the whole wall at once.
trailing vines and little pots
I love this brown bookcase with all the greenery. Long vines fall from the top while smaller plants sit between books, bowls and framed photos.
Read also: 20 Plant Shelf Above Bed Ideas and Pretty Bedroom Displays
The little clock is such a cute addition. Keep a few shelves less crowded so you have room for details like that.
a little joy book bundle
How sweet is this? Three books face page-edge outward with letters spelling JOY. A white bow and a loose twine bow wrap around the bundle.
For a version that leaves your books unmarked, you could attach removable letter tags instead. A little greenery underneath would finish the display.
pumpkins and an oversized clock
Bring a little fall into your book display with orange pumpkins and brown book spines. I am in love with the large Roman-numeral clock between them.
Read also: 20 Fall Reading List Ideas, Book Stacks and Seasonal Inspiration
The foreground has grouped candlesticks and pale flowers with orange-brown leaves. For a bookshelf version, I’d borrow the pumpkin-and-clock pairing without crowding the books.
pale stacks and pink flowers
Don’t want to go overboard with color? No problem! This white bookcase has mostly pale book stacks, a white bust and a rounded brown pot.
I especially love the pink flowers beside the leaning frame. The orange book on the shelf below gives you a little brighter color without changing the whole look.
records and a trailing plant
This shelf is for records rather than a book collection, but the arrangement is too cute not to borrow. An orange record player sits beside upright sleeves, with photos and plants above.
Read also: 19 Desk Shelf Organization Ideas From Pastel Cubbies to Simple Desktop Storage
Try the same layout with books on your own shelves. Keep a trailing plant near the top and a pair of baskets underneath for the smaller things you’d rather tuck away.
blue jars and seaside details
If you love a seaside theme, then this one is for you. Blue-and-white patterned jars sit between books, a shell-covered photo frame and white coral-shaped decorations.
The little ship painting is my favorite part. Place a framed nautical picture behind a few smaller objects to try the same layered look.
dark green shelves under the stairs
Last but definitely not least, we have this lovely under-stair bookcase. I am obsessed with the dark green shelves!
The colorful books run right alongside a cushioned bench with a drawer below and more drawers beside it.
Small framed art and pale vases break up a few rows. If you’re planning built-ins, this is a pretty way to combine book storage with a place to sit and read.
Read also: 20 Laundry Room Shelving Ideas With Baskets, Built-Ins and Pretty Details
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And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Frida