4 Tips to Styling Bookcases
Imagine you walk into a beautiful living room and flanking the gorgeous tile fireplace are floor to ceiling bookcases. You shudder because just the thought of styling them is overwhelming. But in this professionally styled and designed space, the bookcases are balanced, functional, interesting, elegant and creative. Organizing and styling is a skill and our styling team at JessFinessed is here to help. Read below to learn 4 steps to transform those bookshelves to be the envy of all your guests.
Step #1: Be Determined to Declutter
Decluttering is the first step! When we are hired to help a client, we typically see bookcases that are overcrowded, cluttered with magazines and papers, and lacking negative space. Start by pulling out old or unused books, newspapers and magazines. These items can make a bookcase look sloppy unless stacked neatly in a basket or bin. Think about rehoming small, loose items and paring down collections to just a few of your favorite things.
Step #2: Be Open to Organizing
Time to organize! After you have decluttered a bit, place any items related to organizing back on the shelf first. These items could include wicker or wire baskets, bins, or interesting boxes. Within these baskets or bins, place smaller items, magazines, newspapers or group items together in a functional way. Place items you use regularly within reach to create healthy, helpful workflows.
Step #3: Be Convicted to Create
After organization, it is time to style! Think about each shelf as a unit and then tackle each shelf using odd-numbered groups and lots of variety. Make sure each grouping contains different heights, textures, colors etc. to create lots of interest and contrast.
Step #4: Be Eager to Edit
Stand back and edit! Keep taking a step back and ask yourself if things feel balanced. Professional designers like us make edits as we go along all the time!! A few things to keep in mind... 1. Work back to front, 2. Keep the largest items in back and smaller items in front, and 2. Empty or negative space is encouraged! It gives the eye a rest and places focus on the special pieces.
In conclusion, here is a big boost of confidence that you can style and organize your shelves on your own with items you already have. Remember to take everything off those shelves first. Then, place the organization pieces back into the shelving. Finally, use groupings and variety to make those shelves really pop. Any questions? Just reach out to us. Or if you don't have time or feel like you can't make it work, give us a call to book our services and we will style your room to the nines!
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Warmly,
Jess
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