Well, you’ve purchased or built a corner bookcase of your own and you’re ready to make it look amazing. A carefully decorated bookcase can add style and character to any room but it is important not too go over board.
A bookcase should stand out but it should also be subtle enough to not stick out like a sore thumb. The idea is to present your books in a refined, dignified, cool manner. Don’t decorate your book case in opposition to the rest of your room, make sure that it blends nicely with the original décor.
Here are some ideas on decorating your particular bookcase. These are some concepts that I have been toying with and they are also some that I have implemented in my own home at times. Test out a bunch of different options and see what works best for you. No matter what I say, we all have different eyes and perceive beauty differently. What might look fantastic to you will not necessarily be someone else’s cup of tea. Keep that in mind as we proceed.
Outside the Bookcase:
What exactly do I mean by outside the bookcase? Well, I’m talking about the paint job, color, and style of the bookcase as well as what you can put on top or below the bookcase. Many people overlook the potential of the top part of the bookcase and tend to just store random junk and knick knacks up there but you could do so much more.
Think about putting a potted plant, maybe one that kind of drapes down its leaves over a portion of the shelving. It will create a nice looking canopy effect and give your room a little more green flare.
You can also spruce up the bookcase by contrasting colors. If you have a dark brown or chestnut stain job you could put on top of it a white linen or doilies pattern. It might make your room look like a 17th century living room but if that’s the look you want to achieve it would be a perfect touch.
One can never go wrong with putting family portraits or other pictures up there on the top of a bookcase either. Try mixing and matching different frame combinations and angle the pictures so that they are easy to see.
Inside the Bookcase:
Bookcases are not necessarily just for books. Even though a vast collection of books can make a bookcase look elegant and scholarly, adding a touch of something else here and there makes it look nice too.
When I was in high school I used to sit some antique gum ball machines next to some of the books on my shelf. I also had some model figurines that I mixed in there as well. You always want to fill the bookcase mostly with books but on one or two of the shelves you can put a focus point knick knack item that will stand out and give your room character.
If the décor in your room has a certain theme, like boating for instance, try and choose items that would follow in the same vein. If I had a nautical themed room I might stick a well crafted model sail boat next to some of my books or maybe a compass. The possibilities are truly endless.
Around the Bookcase:
Speaking of themed rooms, we should talk a little bit about what can go around your bookcase. You never want to have a corner bookcase sitting all alone on one side of the room while the rest of the furniture is having a party on the other end. You want to try and spread out your furniture so that the bookcase doesn’t look so lonely and foreboding. One of the easiest ways to make your space look empty is to stick a bookcase in the middle of it all by its lonesome.
Desks, night tables, or coffee tables make nice partners for corner bookcases. Or, if you place the bookshelf properly, a closet door brings out a nice touch as well.
There are tons of different things to do with your bookcase. It may seem silly talking about it but I’m just trying to get the point across that you don’t just have to stick books in there and forget about it. Corner bookcases are big pieces of furniture sometimes and they need a little extra attention to make them look great.
Good luck with your decorating!
