a A room without books is like a body without a soul – this saying of the Roman philosopher Cicero cannot be true. Especially in today’s pandemic filled times which has forced us to stay indoors. After all, books are to the mind what exercise is to the body, and maybe it’s time to focus on our best friends: books.
There was a time when you used to pack books in your bookcase, and forget about them. Over time, all those books – novels, comics, magazines and coffee table books – piled up in rooms with no purpose. Putting them together in a bookshelf can help create a new decor element that shows off your liking and determination.
Designing a bookshelf is both a science and an art. Since there are no fixed rules, you have to use your creativity to keep your shelf looking its best.
We give you seven ways you can get started:
Group by colour. You can give a colorful look to your bookshelf by grouping your books by color. If you have several green books, place them according to their colors. Start with the darkest green or the lightest green and continue until you reach the very end. Then add the next color, and so on. Try grouping books of equal height to create a homogeneous look.
Highlighted background. What about painting the back of your shelf a dark color like charcoal gray, aqua or white, if that fits in with the rest of your design? You can even paste wallpaper of different colors and get a shelf that really stands out. Experiment with gift wrappers or colorful fabric in the background to create a backdrop that is the perfect backdrop for your book collection.
Go for an eclectic mix. Many people choose to have books lined up in a row. Why not mix them? Lay some books flat with their titles and an artwork over them for a touch of elegance. Create some space in the middle of books that are designed directly for another accessory – think photo frames, candles, dried flowers, and more. Do it all with your bookshelf.
Space saving options. If you find that a traditional bookshelf is taking up too much space in your medium-sized home, use innovative ways to stock your books. You can try mounting your shelf high on the wall – an impressive style statement. The back of the door can also be used to store books.
horizontal and vertical. To stand out from the crowd, line up your books both horizontally and vertically. If you do this, make sure the height and number of the two blocks of books are symmetrical.
Add some art. Decorate your bookshelf with artwork. You can also place postcards, frames or small sculptures in the spaces between the blocks of books. How and where you place the work of art will depend on the size, shape and style of your shelf.
Make it moveable. Craft your bookshelf in a way that is mobile. That way, you can change the location of your bookshelf at will. A mobile bookshelf should obviously be small or medium sized. It can also function as an impromptu table or small island.
Think of your bookshelf as a blank canvas you can play with—just like an artist paints. A selection of books, curiosities, candles, collectibles and artwork can turn a potentially dead wall into a game-changer for any room. So, bring out those books and start putting them together to enhance the look and feel of your space. Your room will thank you for it!
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