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 November 30, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Sang An Find inspiration for your shelves and bookcases in these great photos. 01 of 22 Frame It Sang An Use empty picture frames to create visually striking geometric patterns against a wall. 02 of 22 Box It James Baigrie A cleverly arranged bookcase can be as pretty as a window view. 03 of 22 Use Darker Paint Monica Buck Borrow a trick from interior designers: Inside a bookcase, use paint that's a couple of shades deeper than the room color. 04 of 22 Contrast Solid Colors Monica Buck For maximum pop, try arranging the shelves with solid-colored items, like white ironwork or a vibrant vase. 05 of 22 Put Favorites on Display Chip Cordelli Imagine living room shelves as a display space for your favorite books, photographs, and family heirlooms. 06 of 22 Color-code Towels Jonny Valiant Give bathroom shelves an organized look by grouping together like-colored towels. 07 of 22 Label Boxes Antonis Achilleos Use labeled boxes to house odds and ends without a home. 08 of 22 Organize by Type Justin Bernhaut Shelve items by type―pots on one level, books on another―for a systematic look to your kitchen. 09 of 22 Keep It Classic Sarah Maingot A simple arrangement of classics has the order and stateliness of a library. 10 of 22 Draw the Eye Monica Buck Style a bookcase with unexpected items, like an eye-catching antique or a porcelain statue. 11 of 22 Contain Items in Glass Jars David Prince Ordinary items collected in glass jars make an arresting still life. 12 of 22 Incorporate Unusual Finds Mark Lund Organizing a colorful collection of found objects makes an offbeat (and inexpensive) alternative to wall art. 13 of 22 Add a Few Eye Catchers Aya Brackett Even just a few striking objects can create a visually interesting display. 14 of 22 Be Similar, Not the Same Lucas Allen 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. 15 of 22 Use Bold Paint Mark Lund Want to make a bold statement? Let paint do the talking for you. 16 of 22 Open Up Hallie Burton Open shelves and steel hardware give a room contemporary flair. 17 of 22 Cultivate An Airy, Open Vibe William Meppem Whitewashed shelves and conch-shell book stoppers feel as restful and airy as the seaside. 18 of 22 Add a Chalkboard David Land Hang a chalkboard inside sliding doors for extra playtime fun (or to log your children's TV time). 19 of 22 Strategize With Stuffed Animals Kathryn Barnard Use a furry friend to keep your child's favorite reads in place. 20 of 22 Add Baskets James Baigrie Use inexpensive baskets to provide catchall space for sundries. 21 of 22 Use Cubbies David Prince Divvy up cubbies among your kids and allow them to arrange their belongings as they see fit―so long as it's neat! 22 of 22 Hang Pretty Panels Hallie Burton A smart cleaning strategy for drop-in visitors: panels that prettily disguise what's on the shelves. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit