Makeover your boring bookshelves

I love to read. Books are a way for me to escape the hassles of life for awhile, but I don't feel like I get to stick my nose in a book nearly enough. I read for a bit when my littlest one takes her nap, and for about 1 hour at night before I go to bed. Nope, not nearly enough.

I have amassed quite a few books, and have found that my bookshelves are overcrowded and boring. All books, just books, and gasp, books. It was time for me to add a little life into those boring bookshelves and although it took me the better part of 4 days to come up with happiness over how I finally arranged them, I want to share my results with you.

Starting in the left corner of the top shelf, I placed an 8x10 picture of my two girls. I left about 4 inches of space and then filled up the rest of the shelf with books. Leaving the small amount of space gave the books and the precious picture their own focal point without blending into each other. I placed a piece of lace under the picture, and left a bit of it hanging over the shelf for a nice effect.

With the second shelf, I placed books directly below the picture of Samantha and Savana, and then placed a small violet plant on the shelf. I put a large circular piece of pretty fabric under the plant to give the shelf even more color.

With each shelf, I continued in the zigzag pattern until all the shelves had both books and precious mementos on them. Adding small plants, pictures, figurines, and other collectibles broke up the monotony of the bookshelves. Adding some lace and other bits of fabric made the shelves even more eye catching.

It is good to remember that when you are placing your books on their respective shelves, place some in a vertical position, and some in a horizontal position. Keep your heaviest books on the bottom shelf. For a nice effect, you can add a pretty wicker basket that fits snugly into the bottom shelf and use it as a storage bin.

Vary the color and size of the books on each shelf, or go for one color and size and offset it with a pretty collectible in a contrasting color. When choosing items to place on the shelf, make sure it is large enough that it can be easily seen and not too small as to be overtaken by the books.

When arranging your books, do not push them all the way in. Bring them out to the edge of the shelf. This will look more neat and organized. You do not want to put a valuable item in front of those books and risking it falling and shattering.

Experiment with your arrangements to find the coolest look for you. Every book lover will tell you that their books are the best and they are right. Some people line their shelves with just books and make it look lovely without any thing else. I like to mix and match books with personal memorabilia to liven up the shelves. How do you arrange your bookshelves?

If you have some books that in desperate need of a makeover, check out this post by Maureen Carter and make a book cover. Your book will breathe a sigh of relief to have such a stylish new cover.