Remember when I said everyone should love the space you live in?? This rental has provided me some great challenges (which I secretly love… BRING IT ON!) Well, I didn’t love these built-ins. In our last house, we had minimal shelves and I really liked it that way. Less clutter and less money on items was a win/win!
But, like I said, I was determined to love this home. It’s hard to tell in this photo above (and I forgot to take a better before pic as I was styling it!), but there were tons of small glass shelves in the middle. I was already overwhelmed at the thought of filling so many shelves, and the glass ones sent me over the top! So I slid all the glass shelves out and stored them under the cabinets so I didn’t have to mess with them. And when we move out, I will just replace them.
I opted for one large art print for this space to ground the bookshelves and keep the clutter to a minimum. I purchased this art from IKEA for $8 and used this frame. Art under $40 is always a win!
When styling a bookshelf, it’s important to keep in mind your color tones. I knew I wanted to keep ours neutral and I already had lots of brass accents, so I started collecting smalls in neutral colors. The picture frames are all from IKEA and Goodwill. I added a few pops of color with the small art pieces and the terra cotta face vase… because everyone needs a little fun in their decor!
The books are all from our markets and goodwill. Books are such an easy thing to add into your shelf styling, but the colors don’t always go… designer tip… remove the covers. Most books come in pretty neutral colors! You can also turn them around so the pages face out to unify the colors on your shelves.
The key to great shelf styling is layering. Start with your larger pieces and work outward, layering the smalls as you go. Stand back, snap a picture and see what doesn’t work. Your eye should constantly move across the bookshelves. I love using vases and candle sticks as decor. These are easy to thrift and always look great on the shelves!
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on styling. Start with what you have, and visit thrift stores for the rest! Target is also a great resource for smalls.
Most importantly, have fun with it and incorporate things you love onto your shelves. Meaningful photos, travel mementos, and books are great ways to bring in special moments that make you smile.
{{ GET THE LOOK }}
#1 IKEA Frame // #2 3-Piece Gold Candle Holders // #3 Cream Large Bowl // #4 Face Votive Candle Holder // #5 Brass Candle Sticks // #6 Nautical Print // #7 Stack Of Old Books // #8 Speckled White Bowl
The post Personalizing Your Rental – Part 2 :: Book Shelf Styling appeared first on Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market.