Top Shelf

At Lifestyle Furniture, we really love bookshelves. They’re completely underrated and add both a stylistic and functional benefit to a room! We have a range of amazing bookshelves in store that can add a perfectly organised touch to your room.

When filling in a bookshelf; start with books. We don’t just mean to stack your shelves like you’re in a library. Try placing some upright and some on their side; this keeps the eye moving and creates an interesting space. If your bookshelf is in front of a bright coloured feature wall or patterned wallpaper, let it shine through. Place some books in a zig-zag pattern so there are empty spaces on the shelf. The gaps will allow a visual break and bursts of colour will shine through.

Just because it has it in it’s name, doesn’t mean that bookshelves are just for books! Consider adding photos and artwork to fill up around 1/3 of the bookshelf’s space. When we say “artwork”, it’s not just pictures we’re talking about – artwork includes ornaments, sculptures and symbols, basically anything unique and eye catching. It makes your shelf unique and gives it personality. Use the smaller objects to fill out the dead space, it’ll ensure that the eye is drawn evenly around the bookcase. One thing to remember when arranging your bookcase is that less can be more! Use just a few colours that compliment each other, rather than a rainbow assortment of accessories.

If you’re wondering just how on earth you can artfully arrange your artwork and books just remember this golden rule: lean, stack and layer! This type of arrangement keeps your eye dancing across it, it’s much more interesting that having a uniform row of books. Try stacking some books on top of one another, with a small sculpture on top and a piece of artwork leaning against it. It quickly transforms the shelf in to a dynamic space.

An open bookshelf works well in the study, living room, bedroom or even a large hall. Our diagonal design adds another element of unique design. Layer, lean, and stack has never been more appropriate. This deep Jarrah design is the perfect contrast against both light and dark coloured walls, against both flat colours and patterns. If you’re looking for a more traditional bookcase or something a bit different, you can see all of our bookshelves here.