I am over the moon by how well received the new Design Expert Q&A series is! You guys actually reconfigured your bookshelves the very next day.

Side Note: We LOVE seeing your work too. So keep tagging us and/or DM us photos on Instagram and we will re-share them!

In case you missed it, I brought in interior design expert, Melissa Mahoney, to simplify decorating. She’s giving us paint by number steps to achieve that designer look we all want. Might as well make our home beautiful while we’re stuck inside, right?

Since we covered how to style books, we’re addressing the other important part of bookshelf styling – objects. They come with their own set of rules and now you can finish your masterpiece!

Keep in mind there’s more than one way to skin a cat when it comes to shelves. So don’t look at these rules as the end all be all. Rules are meant to be broken! These tried and true tips are intended for those who don’t know where to start or simply want to elevate what they already have!

After you read Melissa’s advice below, head over to her Instagram Stories for even more advice! She actually restyles her own shelves using the tips below. You can also direct message her with any specific questions you have too!

Now let’s get down to business, shall we?

Bookshelf Styling With Objects

Gather

You may have empty shelves or you may have stockpiled shelves that haven’t been fully thought through. Either way, you want to start off by gathering all of your ‘must have items’. These are objects you 100% want styled on your shelves {examples below}. Next, grab ‘fillers’ for added styling flexibility {examples below for this too}. 

Must Have Examples: these are collected pieces you want on display because they make you happy.

• a variety of books in all sizes (more tips on books can be found here)
• vases of varying heights
• small artwork
• framed photos
• trinkets that mean something to you
• trinkets that you enjoy looking at
• antique salt and pepper shakers

Nicole used a set of playing cards she gifted Sean for their 1 year anniversary, a matchbook collection, a set of brass birds she found at an antique store, a vintage barometer she scored at an estate sale and a pair of framed lithograms Pencil & Paper Co. picked out for her!

Filler Examples: these are items you have laying around the house. These are important because they make all the difference in shelves feeling collected and established.

• items from the kitchen like pitchers, bowls or jars
• trays
• boxes
• games
• baskets
• a hat
• baskets
• clocks
• lanterns
• burled wood branches
• small artwork and framed photos are great for filling voids at the back of shelves behind shorter pieces
• anything that fits on a shelf and makes you happy to look at can be a great filler too
• we mentioned this in the books post too, but don’t forget about magazines and/or catalogues with a spine/flat face to display

Nicole used an empty Hermes box, large matchbox cover and a set of playing cards she gave Sean for their one year anniversary.

One Thing To Avoid: NO plants {even fake ones} on bookshelves. Reason being it’s not believable. The exception to the rule, are plants that look legitimately real a foot away or dried grasses.

Determine Your Lay Out

For narrower shelves {around 24”- 36”W}, go with one grouping centered. This can be a set of books full width or a stand alone item.

For wider shelves {around 36”- 42”}, you want to alternate your shelves between multiple groupings {2 to 3} and stand alone items. For Example: two groupings on top shelf, three on second shelf, two on third shelf, etc. For groupings of 3, put the more predominant pieces in the middle.

I always zig-zag the groupings by avoiding a vase directly above a vase, or a stack of books directly below another stack of books.

Mirror Your Shelves

If you have two sets of shelves that flank a fireplace or window seat, you want them to relate to each other.  If you’re asking yourself “what is flanking?!” it means “two sets of shelves mirrored on opposite sides of a window or fireplace, etc.” If you can mirror like shapes, materials and similar groupings from one set of shelves to the other, they’ll feel more cohesive and complete. This is what we did with Nicole’s below.

If the shelves don’t relate to each other in a space or are different sizes, they don’t necessarily need to be styled similarly.  

If you have a run of shelving units across an entire wall, you want to alternate the groupings vertically. When you have side by side shelves with the same number of groupings on each one, it can feel too repetitive.

Ground Items 

Place your accessories on a stack of larger books or a tray. This is true for most styling throughout your house. This method makes pieces feel thought through and finished.

So are you saying I have to have a book under every single item? Nope! Here’s a good rule of thumb. Only one grounding piece is required per shelf. So one piece {or grouping of pieces} can sit on the shelf. The other piece(s) can be grounded by books or a tray.  

Avoid two similar scale pieces next to each other, unless one is grounded/lifted by a stack of books, tray, etc.  

Larger/taller pieces do not need to be grounded if they are already maxing out the 2” clearance height. 

When it comes to selecting which book goes directly under your object, ideally you want a contrasting color. The goal is for each piece to stand out, but also compliment.

Let Your Objects Breath 

Grace matters. Always make sure you have at least 2-3 inches above each item and on the sides of each grouping. You want to let each set of items breathe.

If you have a square or smaller tray with beautiful handles, show them off by facing the handles forward!

Books are the exception to the rule on this. If you want a super full shelf to maximize collected storage space, start books touching the side of the shelf with books and build out from there. 

Extra Tid Bits

• How To Make Your Own Bookends: I LOVE a good sturdy set of bookends. But not everyone has readily available bookends laying around when styling. Just remember, the goal is for your books to feel supported, and not flopping around the shelves.  
  • PRO TIP: If you DO have bookends, do not feel like you have to use them flanking the same set of books.  Use one of the bookends on one set of shelves and the other across the room.
  • Use horizontal books as bookends. Although they typically need something on top of them to feel like they are fully supporting a vertical run of books.  
  • Anything that is heavy enough to hold vertical runs of books up can be used as a bookend too.  The quirkier, sometimes the better. They add interest beyond the square and expected books.
• Avoid duplicating an accessory like a globe or clock. It feels too redundant to have more than one in a room.

• Candlestick holders should ALWAYS have candles on them. Of course this comes with a few caveats. If it feels like a sculptural add, then you can leave it empty.  I recently saw a bookshelf that had a grouping of brass candlesticks in every size without candles. It looked stunning. So as long as it feels intentional, not forgotten, you are good.
• Turning your object ever so slightly can make a WORLD of difference. This is where stepping back and playing around with the relationship of items comes into full affect. So don’t underestimate the power in a tiny shift. If something feels off, try twisting the object a little to the left or right. Add depth by layering pieces slightly from front to back. Overlap where it feels better than separating them. We did this with Nicole’s two brass birds by bringing one slightly forward from the other so they weren’t right next to each other.
• When you don’t have enough items, you may be due for a good haul at Homegoods or Target. Just to stop the madness! Go wild, test and everything is always returnable.

---

Thanks again Melissa! Isn’t she THE BEST?

Now head over to her Instagram Stories for even more tips! You can also follow her here. And if you have anything specific you want us to cover next week, DM me with your ideas!

P.S. 22 ways to cheer up your home and how we increased the property value of our house by installing this!