How-to Style Your Bookshelves

Bookshelves are a huge focal point in a room and if you just randomly throw in things, it can quickly look like a cluttered mess. Create a functional and balanced display by spotlighting your favorite things with these tips from Studio McGee. (links to the products we used are below!)
SHOP THE VIDEO:
-Geodes
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-Black & White Square Boxes
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-Brass Plated Leather Trays
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-Wooden Vase Sculptures
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-Himalayan Crystal Lacquer Box
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-Hourglass
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-Anchor Vases
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-Butterfly Blue and White Jar
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-Faceted Concrete Bookends
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-Driftwood
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-Dipped in Blue Vases
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-Hand Carved Wood Tray
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-Trophy Urns
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-Wavy Planter
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-Wrapped Around Pot
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-Dotted Frame
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-Stripe Magnifying Glass
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-Wire Catchall Basket
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-Brass and Leather Boxes
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-Found Frosted Glass Vases
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Mini Geo Objects
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-Macrame Woven Basket
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-Blue and White Mini Jars
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Read the tips on our blog: www.studio-mcgee.com/studioblo...
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[@carolhether]

It looks very pretty, but am I old school in thinking there should be more books? I love being surrounded by books, my favourite places are book stores, lol.

[@angelaberni8873]

I think that each one of us are allowed to put exactly what we want on our bookcases in our homes!!!

[@edmey]

@@angelaberni8873 Perhaps we could rename these bookshelves as "knicknack shelves" . It's unfortunate that so many people no longer read books anymore...for pleasure or general education.

[@annacama8313]

I have many books and love the aesthetic of my growing library. With e books out now they are sadly considered clutter. Smh.

[@user-dq2ym1nn9k]

as a professional housecleaner - these bookshelves are are a freakin niiiiiightmare to keep dust free and clean!

[@HexagonNightmare]

I was thinking same thing lol but very pretty

[@GeorginaCampos]

I’d rather have books really. But I liked the ideas and explanation.

[@marliokono6292]

The formal library in these large homes is usually in the study or office, a more private room.

[@ChrisstinaMorgan]

the first video about shelf styling I could watch. All others were just 10-15 minutes of boring talking and zero actions. Thank you

[@marliokono6292]

This room is at the front of the house, so it may be formal living or dining room, not an official library, but a place where people may gather at parties or quiet nights, etc. It is meant to be low stress place though not very casual. It turned out very nice.

[@jasminebidois8463]

Can you do a video on 'How to Style a Bookshelf' when you have a lot of books?! I understand the concept of ugly book spines being turned around but this isn't actually functional, how do you find a book if you can't see their spine? I love your style and the tips are great but my home isn't being photographed, it will be lived in so i need it to be super functional.

[@LISLOVESTRUTH]

Jasmine Bidois you can cover them in decorative paper and put new labels on them. You can get the style of the labels in each grouping to match...

[@yunyeyu5177]

I was thinking the same thing when I watched this video. Book shelf is the place that usability is the priority, but simply sorting books into categories won't look too nice. What a dilemma....

[@classnicnacs]

i really enjoyed all your videos. pls post more. studio mcgee team is brilliant.

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you so much, Zara! More to come!

[@TIL_TheIntentionalLife]

looks great but I would add more books...it's a bookcase ...it looks more like a display of pretty things. I just found your channel and subscribed, great videos!

[@StudioMcGee]

We wish we owned enough books to fill a whole walls worth of space! :) Thanks for subscribing!

[@cortney363210]

This just makes me SO happy! I watched a bookcase design video from someone a couple days ago and the put giant baskets on the top shelves and it made me so sad. Notice how only medium size items are in the top shelf. Otherwise it would visually pull the ceiling down. The balance of this just makes me so peaceful 😂

[@StudioMcGee]

Ha, thank you so much Cortney! We're thrilled that you love this, and appreciate your support!

[@LisaJF]

I just can’t get behind this idea of putting books spine to the wall. At some level practicality has to win. I need to actually store books that I actually read and actually need to find!

[@saigrundy]

yep, this should be called "how to style a shelf" bc it very obviously is not design with books or reading intended

[@lindaburton1633]

I totally agree. NO SPINES TO THE WALL. They do that in Pottery Barn, not in MY home! 😊

[@stefaniehathaway]

Great video, I'll reference this again in the future, thank you!

[@StudioMcGee]

Yay! Thanks Stefanie!

[@noureddine309]

Guys you're super cool . I love your style.

[@niekvandenberg205]

Nice and sturdy.

[@kathrynlouwhawkes5058]

LOVE this! Great video, you guys. Kath x

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you Kathryn! Xoxo

[@ayeshafaheem6382]

Loved it! Please post more videos, a little more frequently. Im hooked to your design skills

[@StudioMcGee]

That means the world, thank you Ayesha! More to come!

[@KarlaDreyerDesign]

I agree! I'm a big fan too! xo

[@aravaglam7299]

I think that was awesome! Wish you would teach that at koocam. I would definitely pay to learn that from u for suitable tips.

[@lisamedeiros7581]

Great viedo and tips

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you Lisa!

[@AchA702]

Just what I needed today :)

[@StudioMcGee]

Yay! :)

[@Jerome...]

95% dust collectors, 5% books.

[@kieelaine1085]

just found your channel! Love it! Would love to see how to style a sideboard and/or hall table!!

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you so much! So glad you found us.

[@tana19061]

I love this video even in 2020

[@KarlaDreyerDesign]

Love it! Such a great wall unit and your styling of it is amazing!

[@StudioMcGee]

Isn't that a great wall? Thank you so much Karla!!

[@adiiiida]

What if you do actually have more than six books to put on shelves?? WHERE ARE THE BOOKS?? :D

[@ForForFoo]

Loving all your videos! It's amazing how the details bring so much life to the house!

[@StudioMcGee]

There's nothing better than being able to incorporate fun personal details into your home, right? Thanks for watching!

[@tphili555]

Can we see more of this house? Looks gorgeous. Both for style tips and house you/they derived at the colors.

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you! Here's a full tour: www.studio-mcgee.com/studioblog/2015/2/8/the-midway-house-tour-pt-1-vestibule-and-office

[@Brbljiva]

okay... so they are only called bookshelves? you put everything, except books... lol

[@StudioMcGee]

We wish we had enough books to fill all these giant shelves, so it's also fun to fill with other ways of decoration :) Guess we have too many e-books!

[@Brbljiva]

Haha nah don't worry. We have the same problem, that's why I was looking for inspirations. ;) u did a great job with decorating.

[@StudioMcGee]

Crossing our fingers we both grow our book collections this year 😂😉 Good luck with your project!

[@maryoruanai4671]

Call it shelving then !!

[@christylshedd2570]

Great video😄😄😄😄😄😄

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you Christy! :)

[@1993anabell]

love IT ! it is amazing ! I am amazed by all Your projects... btw. I am your viewer from Poland, Europe.. and in few months I will be decorating my first apartment - and i'm pretty sure I that some of Your design ideas will be really helpful while decorating. :) Thank You ! Greetings from Poland ! :)

[@StudioMcGee]

We're so glad you love it, and we're even more excited we could inspire you!! Congratulations on your first apartment, and thanks for your kind words!! Sending all the love to Poland!! 😘😘

[@lucyrector2904]

💗🙈love it

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you!

[@zainabzaidiib]

hey!... could you please tell me the dimensions of these shelves??

[@wendyp8488]

Gorgeous! Thank you for the inspiration

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you for watching!

[@bonniekoh6020]

Great tips & lovely accessories. I think I've easily watched each of your videos at least twice. Btw will you be coming out with one that is on modern Scandinavian style? Would love to see how it's done since you specialise in bright and airy layout.

[@saigrundy]

a bookshelf styled for people who don't actually read books

[@ChrisstinaMorgan]

styling has nothing to do with reading, with logic and common sense:))) Whatever looks good and create proper composition goes on shelves. Most books are not suitable for that purpose. Of course you can wrap them to match but then you will have to open them to see which book is it

[@saigrundy]

@@ChrisstinaMorgan well, there is a fundamental design principle that says form follows function.. so when your design impedes functionality it's actually bad design. the function of a bookshelf is a means to storing and finding books. anyone can make anything look pretty. design is about solving problems with beauty. if you've created a new problem beautifully, it's not design.

[@ChrisstinaMorgan]

@@saigrundy the way world is moving now everything is a problem, and it's very sad. And here author of the video supposed to type "shelves decoration" instead "bookshelf decoration". That was kinda misleading:)

[@saigrundy]

@@ChrisstinaMorgan the way the world moves "now" has nothing to do with bookshelves still having BOOKS.

[@rneustel388]

I love styling bookshelves, too. Thanks for all the great tips! It'd be great to see some of your parent's home (since you designed it, of course).

[@StudioMcGee]

Thanks for watching! :) Here's some blog posts with photos of the rest of the home: www.studio-mcgee.com/search?q=The%20Midway%20House

[@Mns_87]

The spines to the wall makes so sense to me unless you don't want people to browse your books.

[@sandylunden6953]

I'm new to your channel and love your work, Can't wait for the next video.

[@StudioMcGee]

Thanks Sandy! We appreciate your support! More to come!

[@rhiannonblanchard6314]

I need ideas for my shelves. Can you help?

[@kath7922]

The accessories work so well together!! Where did you get all the books?!

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you so much Kathrin! We shop for books at a variety of bookstores. Here's a blog link with some of our favorites: www.studio-mcgee.com/studioblog/2015/7/15/coffee-table-books-for-the-traveler?rq=books, and www.studio-mcgee.com/studioblog/2014/7/10/sheas-faves-coffee-table-books :)

[@kath7922]

This is great!! Thank you!!

[@StudioMcGee]

You're very welcome!

[@Alexava731]

can you show us how to style a fireplace mantle?

[@StudioMcGee]

Great video idea! We also have some blog posts here: www.studio-mcgee.com/studioblog/2015/8/29/4-elements-to-a-perfectly-styled-mantel and here: www.studio-mcgee.com/studioblog/2016/11/11/mantel-styling-for-the-holidays

[@angelaberni8873]

I love what you did here. Ignore ignorant comments.

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you so so much Angela ❤️

[@aimeesabri3444]

What type of Chinese jar is the large blue and white piece called?

[@bjgnotary9500]

A ginger jar

[@lolakate7348]

Where did you get all the books from?😍

[@StudioMcGee]

We get them from various places, here's a blog link with some of our favorites: www.studio-mcgee.com/studioblog/2015/7/15/coffee-table-books-for-the-traveler?rq=books, and www.studio-mcgee.com/studioblog/2014/7/10/sheas-faves-coffee-table-books :)

[@normaharrod5337]

Use the rest of your coffee table books in your living room bookshelves as decorative props. More room to buy more coffee table books!

[@mtoad]

Fill up shelves with pointless junk. Got it.

[@inesahlu]

can you please tell me what is the size of each compartment on this shelves??

[@iliagugenishvili7976]

There is everything in this bookshelf except books. Preety though

[@Ms.MD7]

Nice decor but I hate open shelves coz where I live, it gets so damn dusty. If I can afford a maid for it to dust it everyday I would.

[@trenapickel6060]

If you want to know how to make it yourself, just look for stodoys instructions.

[@janainasouzaqueiroz9412]

There is everything, but books!

[@StudioMcGee]

Janaina Souza you can blame the invention of the Kindle for that 😂.

[@janainasouzaqueiroz9412]

True. I do have a kindle myself, yet I have lots of books in my bookshelf, if I was to get inspired by this video, I'd need to get rid of 70% of my books ): I love the video anyway, I'll definitely apply some of the ideas xox

[@dalilanazahah7318]

That "turn around your books" idea was super genius! Simple, but it works. Thanks!

[@StudioMcGee]

So glad you liked it! Thank you!

[@goodtogo3]

it has no function..just stuff

[@angelaberni8873]

That what you call 'stuff', is their 'stuff'. To be put exactly how 'they' wish to display it. I love their 'stuff' and it's extremely well displayed !!

[@inkypinky4818]

Do you have separate library room, or you just don’t have any books? 🤭

[@StudioMcGee]

We wish we had enough books to fill that massive bookshelf! We're just showing some design concepts, you can apply them to bookshelves that have more books.

[@inkypinky4818]

Studio McGee oh ok. A word “bookshelf” was a bit misleading, I guess it’s some American thing. My books would fill space twice as big and I was hoping for some tips to arrange them. These shelves really look like my books’ dream 😇

[@l0r3st0]

There should be a more appropriate name for these storage system. They are not bookshelves if there are no books. Why display books you don't read. How pretentious! Buy books based on the color pallet, instead of buying books you actually love. Really?! Shelf too big, if it functions at all, is more of what you see in a museum, a library, or a store. No personality, no theme, not even entertaining.

[@worldofgardening7852]

Seriously ? There is everything there except book ....wtf !! İt looks great really but there is only 4 or 5 books over there ...

[@kz-my1zz]

bookshelves are for books and some others not for all the other and some books.... isn’t it?

[@StudioMcGee]

If only we had enough books to fill this space! One can dream.

[@fatemehalahmadi764]

This is every thing except book🥴

[@needfoolthings]

How to style bookshelves the right way: with books and functionally. This us outright bad.

[@shantelfullerton9865]

I will try to do it with Stodoys plans.

[@hsmd4533]

Lov the tips but the background music was overwhelming. Wish it was just Shay talking.

[@user-jd1cp1nk1p]

um.... naaaah

[@denizmideniz]

funny video. no actual books.