Life is changing by the minute and we’ll all be spending quite a bit of time at home over the upcoming weeks. So it’s a great opportunity to stay safe and do a little redecorating with your own things. (Or we have some ideas for some cool new ones to add to the mix; see below.) However you look at it, there’s never been anytime like the present to feel cozy and cocooned. Sometimes just repurposing your current pieces and adding a few others can leave you feeling like you have a brand new space. Mix it up! Let’s start with pillows, which are easy! Take pillows from a different room and add them to your family room. You might be surprised with the outcome. Maybe the pillow change doesn’t work, so just fluff the original ones and arrange them slightly differently. At Style Elevator, we think a cozy sofa and down pillows are the foundation for a room you really want to spend time in. Add a chunky throw for warmth and texture, and your room will start to feel complete. We truly believe beautiful pillows are the key to an amazing room (we both have major pillow problems!) Another quick way to revamp a room is through a coffee table update. We wrote a whole post on it (Coffee Table Styling).
Today, let’s talk bookshelves. This is yet another opportunity to refresh a room in practically no time. Most people either have too much on a shelf , or not enough. We hope to help you find the balance leaving you with a Pin-worthy outcome. Let’s begin by taking EVERYTHING off of your shelves. Now go gather a bunch of your accessories (the more the better) and place them in front of your shelves. Ready, set, let’s begin!
1. First start with the books and don’t be afraid to stack/arrange them horizontally. It provides an updated look and can highlight cool bindings.
2. Now add artwork if you have the height in your shelving – don’t be afraid to even remove a shelf to accommodate a larger piece. It will look beautiful and add depth. If you don’t have shelves, add a ledge and let books BE your art.
(Wallniture Floating Ledge Shelves 46″ set of two – Amazon $55. If you would like to copy the book wall above, just paint your wall black and order the appropriate amount of ledges. This works great for children’s room with the white ledges . Click on item to order.)
3. Interesting sculptural pieces are next on the list. Choose a vase, pretty bowls, or a cluster of frames (or all of the above.) This is the time to show your personality. Just be careful to select items that complement each other and vary in height and texture. Make a statement! This will be the difference between a blah bookshelf and an amazing one!
It may not be perfect the first time around. Our guess is that you’ll find sections you love and others that still need a little work. Look to some of our pictures for inspiration and think the number 3. Basically, divide each shelf in thirds. Either fill in the outer two thirds or the middle third (with a little crossover onto that dividing line so you don’t have empty space), and you’ll almost always have perfect looking bookshelves!
If you feel you need a few new objects or if you don’t have any shelves, here are a few we’d suggest:
This shelving unit from Ikea (comes in white or black, single or double) is stylish and reasonably priced. We used it in a downtown loft bedroom we just styled. Cool books, several boxes, pottery and our spikey vintage finds were just what this corner spot needed.
Some of our favorite books – click on item to purchase:
Cool objects for your shelves – click on item to purchase:
(Geo Box-Amazon $29, Jonathan Adler Stacking Boxes-Amazon $60, Butterflies for Brains Sculpture-Horchow $585, Jonathan Adler Muse Bowl- Amazon $58, White Ceramic Vase-Amazon $11, Flower Diffuser-Amazon $78, Uttermost Sculpture-Amazon $163, Gramercy Bowl-Z Gallerie $74, Baccarat Lucky Silver Butterfly-Bloomingdales $175)
p.s.: Not finding the right piece of art to add to your shelves? Here are a few ways to improvise. (click image to order):
Prop up a cool covered book (Magritte – Amazon $18). Go to your local home improvement store and get a sheet of metal, then add fun magnets (Andy Warhol Soup Magnets – Amazon $10). How about propping up a book of pretty paper placemats? (Hester & Cook Placemats – Amazon $35.) The ideas are virtually endless.
We’d love to see your creations! Feel free to email photos.
