How to Style Your Living Room Shelves Like a Designer

Bookshelves aren’t just for storing your literature—they’re also the perfect canvas to explore your personal style. Living room shelves, in particular, can spotlight your most cherished pieces and give these treasured trinkets a more permanent home.

Still, you can’t just toss everything on a shelf, cross your fingers, and hope that it all works out. A bit of curation goes a long way. Here, designers reveal how to style your living room shelves like a seasoned pro.

Set a Theme

Your living room shelves should feel intentional, rather than haphazard—so it’s important to find a common theme within your accessories.

“It doesn’t need to necessarily make a presence on every shelf, but ensuring it does appear throughout creates cohesion,” says Debbie LeRoy, founder and principal designer of Debbie Mathews Antiques & Designs. “Some of my favorite décor to display includes antique leather-bound books, pottery, ceramics, china, and family photos that are framed similarly.”

If you’re not sure where to start, you can always look to fashion for inspiration. “Embrace your personality and choose items that reflect you,” says Chloe Legras, interior designer and owner of Boxwood Ave. “Do you gravitate towards color? Neutrals? This can help guide you when selecting items for your shelves.”

You can also pull colors directly from the living room’s existing palette. “When shelves echo the surrounding upholstery, walls, or artwork, everything flows naturally and feels integrated,” says interior designer Liz Williams.

Layer Personal Items

The key to a unique living room shelf display is choosing items that feel personal. “I love including hand-me-downs from generations,” says Legras. “Framed objects are a great way to add height to shelves, while displaying something that carries meaning. We once had a client display his grandfather’s binoculars in a whiskey room—things like that are great!”

It’s also the perfect place to spotlight any tchotchkes that you’ve held on to. “What do you already have and can use?” says LeRoy. “I love displaying collectible items like antique tea caddies or tobacco boxes, but you can really achieve a personal look with any type of collection.”

Style Books in an Unexpected Way

Books still have their place on living room shelves—but try something beyond a standard configuration.

“You can place decorative accessories on top of stacks of books to add interest and vary heights,” LeRoy says. “Angle them, or even display them with the pages turned outward!”

Following a color pattern is another great idea. “Pay attention to book bindings and consider grouping them in monochromatic or complementary color palettes so the shelves feel intentional, rather than busy,” Williams says.

Consider Scale

Proportion is just as important for furniture as it is for shelf accessories. “A handful of larger objects, such as sculptures, bowls, or vases, will do the trick,” says Legras.

You can also vary the sizes and shapes of your décor for a more eclectic look. “I prefer that the objects don’t touch the top of the shelf space—in my opinion, you need a couple of inches of breathing room,” LeRoy says. “Just remember to avoid grouping pieces of the same height together.”

Try a Custom Treatment

Want to make your living room shelves feel like a bespoke built-in? Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty.

Legras recommends adding a mirror backing to the shelves for a bit of personal flair. LeRoy enjoys painting or wallpapering the back of shelves to make them pop. A punchy pattern or grasscloth wallpaper are some of her favorites.

“In addition to styling the actual shelves, I like to hang artwork or mirrors on the outside of the shelves, as it adds something unexpected,” she adds.