Home Decorating 22 Ways to Arrange Your Bookshelves With these great bookcase ideas—from painted backgrounds to labeled boxes and baskets—give your space a quick and simple upgrade. By Real Simple Editors Real Simple Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter An article attributed to "Real Simple Editors" indicates a collaborative effort from our in-house team. Sometimes, several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The REAL SIMPLE team strives to make life easier for you. They are experts in their fields who research, test and clearly explain the best recipes, strategies, trends and products. They have worked for some of the most prestigious brands in lifestyle journalism, including Apartment Therapy, Better Homes & Gardens, Food & Wine, the Food Network, Good Housekeeping, InStyle, Martha Stewart Living, O: The Oprah Magazine, Parents, POPSUGAR, Rachel Ray Every Day, and Vogue. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 5, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Sang An Find inspiration for your shelves and bookcases in these great photos. 01 of 22 Use empty picture frames to create visually striking geometric patterns against a wall. Sang An 02 of 22 A cleverly arranged bookcase can be as pretty as a window view. James Baigrie 03 of 22 Borrow a trick from interior designers: Inside a bookcase, use paint that's a couple of shades deeper than the room color. Monica Buck 04 of 22 For maximum pop, try arranging the shelves with solid-colored items, like white ironwork or a vibrant vase. Monica Buck 05 of 22 Imagine living room shelves as a display space for your favorite books, photographs, and family heirlooms. Chip Cordelli 06 of 22 Give bathroom shelves an organized look by grouping together like-colored towels. Jonny Valiant 07 of 22 Use labeled boxes to house odds and ends without a home. Antonis Achilleos 08 of 22 Shelve items by type―pots on one level, books on another―for a systematic look to your kitchen. Justin Bernhaut 09 of 22 A simple arrangement of classics has the order and stateliness of a library. Sarah Maingot 10 of 22 Style a bookcase with unexpected items, like an eye-catching antique or a porcelain statue. Monica Buck 11 of 22 Ordinary items collected in glass jars make an arresting still life. David Prince 12 of 22 Organizing a colorful collection of found objects makes an offbeat (and inexpensive) alternative to wall art. Mark Lund 13 of 22 Even just a few striking objects can create a visually interesting display. Aya Brackett 14 of 22 There's no rule saying that everything has to match. Though these letters vary in look, they work together because they are alike in essence. Lucas Allen 15 of 22 Want to make a bold statement? Let paint do the talking for you. Mark Lund 16 of 22 Open shelves and steel hardware give a room contemporary flair. Hallie Burton 17 of 22 Whitewashed shelves and conch-shell book stoppers feel as restful and airy as the seaside. William Meppem 18 of 22 Hang a chalkboard inside sliding doors for extra playtime fun (or to log your children's TV time). David Land 19 of 22 Use a furry friend to keep your child's favorite reads in place. Kathryn Barnard 20 of 22 Use inexpensive baskets to provide catchall space for sundries. James Baigrie 21 of 22 Divvy up cubbies among your kids and allow them to arrange their belongings as they see fit―so long as it's neat! David Prince 22 of 22 A smart cleaning strategy for drop-in visitors: panels that prettily disguise what's on the shelves. Hallie Burton Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit