The Designer Guide to Styling Built Ins

Built ins, bookcases, and shelving can be one of the hardest things to style, but are honestly the most satisfying when it finally feels right. I have stared at more shelves than I can count, and consider built in styling to be one of my favorite hobbies. It’s really all about editing, layering, and telling a visual story. Today, I’m sharing my designer approach to styling built ins in a way that feels intentional, timeless, and livable… the same way I style them in my own home and for clients. I think you’ll find my strategy to be pretty simple and fun! If you’ve ever stood back with a coffee in hand and thought something about this vignette still feels off, this one is for you. Click through for my tips, tricks, and go-to foundation pieces for styling a built-ins and bookcases!

Before we dive in, be sure to check out my post on timeless home decor and accessories designers love… that will also be handy in compiling a collection of decor to get started on your shelf styling. At the very least, you’ll have a good idea of what to look for in your own house or while you’re out thrifting. I actually think vintage and special pieces you’ve picked up from travels over the years work best!

Start With a Blank Canvas

Before you add a single object, empty your shelves, take a step back, and look at the structure of your built ins. Are they painted a bold color or a soft neutral? Do they surround a fireplace or frame a doorway? Is it open shelving or a mix of cabinets and shelves? Your built ins should feel like part of the architecture or a focal furniture piece, not an afterthought. I always start with a clean slate. Everything comes off the shelves! From there, I think about balance and negative space. Built ins do not need to be filled edge to edge (unless you’re going for that look). Breathing room in the right spot is what makes them feel balanced. Ready to get started?

Use Larger Pieces as Your Foundation

My best piece of advice is this… think in layers, not individual objects. One of the biggest mistakes I see when styling built ins is treating each item like it needs its own spotlight, rather than thinking in layers and groupings. This layered approach keeps shelving from feeling flat and gives your eye somewhere to land. I always start with the foundation, using groupings of books or larger objects (like vessels or larger art) to block out general shapes. My layers look a little something like this…

• Background Layer… Groupings of books (stacked, filed, leaned, etc). Larger ceramics or vessels that easily fill shelf space. Framed art against the back. This layer is all about texture and blocks out larger shapes.
• Middle Layer… Decorative objects, like medium sized vases, bowls, or sculptural objects.
• Front Layer… Smaller accents, personal items that add depth.

Tips for Styling Books And Blocking Out Sections

As I mentioned, books are always my starting point when styling built ins. They ground the shelves and instantly make them feel collected and textured. I wanted to go into greater detail on how I handle book styling. Here are a few specific ways I like to arrange books on a shelf (also see the visual example below)…

• Stack books both vertically and horizontally
• Group books of similar size together
• Use book stacks as risers for smaller objects
• Stick to a cohesive color palette instead of rainbow spines (I choose 4-5 colors, and intentionally exclude others)

Add Different Materials for Visual Interest

If everything on your shelves is the same material, things will fall flat. Styling built ins works best when there is contrast. I always include a healthy mix of materials. Try to incorporate some of the following…

• Ceramic
• Wood
• Glass
• Metal
• Woven materials
• Organic elements

Don’t Skip Art and Personal Pieces

Built ins should tell a story… your story! This is where personal pieces really matter. Be sure to include framed photos, travel finds, artwork, dimensional objects, sentimental items, etc. Those are the details that make built ins feel lived in and interesting, rather than staged. I prefer those type of items to mass produced decor. I also love integrating two dimensional artwork into my shelf styling, as well as items we’ve brought home from past travels and vacations. It feels relaxed and layered, giving the shelves a collected look.

Step Back and Edit

Once everything is styled, step away. This is probably the most important step. I’m constantly moving closer, then to the back of the room. Sometimes it also helps to snap a photo of your built in vignette, then analyze the photo on your phone in two dimension. Ask yourself these questions and make edits…

• Does anything feel too crowded?
• Is there a shelf that feels heavier than the others?
• Do my eyes easily move across the built in?
• What stands out?
• Is there a color that feels overpowering?
• Does an area feel too empty?

Editing is honestly where the magic happens. I almost always spend a few round of editing, swapping, adding, and removing items until it feels balanced. I’ve never nailed it on the first try, so keep stepping back, and don’t be afraid to continue shuffling. Push yourself to get creative! This is the good part. If you want a more maximalist look, keep adding… or minimalist, keep editing.

Styling Built Ins by Room

In our current home, we have three sets of built-ins… and we’re building the fourth right now (in the nursery)! I figured I’d share some quick examples of each from our home, if you’re in need of inspiration.

Basement Fireplace Built In

In our basement media room, I decided to lean into the dark navy color palette- using books mostly in those deep hues… blue, black, brown, charcoal, etc. I leaned heavy into books and included a few vintage blue & white pieces.

Home Office Built Ins

In my home office, I again- went heavy on the books. I just like that lived in aesthetic and I read a lot… so I had plenty to fill the shelves. Since they’re behind closed glass doors with geometric mullions, I decided angled, messy books looked best to break the perfect grid. Juxtaposition is a good thing for contrast when you’re styling built-ins!

Formal Living Room Built Ins

Obviously our formal living room, is the built in you’re seeing throughout this entire post. However, last year I had a slightly more refined version styled… with straightened books, more of a grid system, and more negative space. It was looking a little too perfect and I was ready for a change, so now you’ll notice it feels slightly more disheveled for a more casual aesthetic. It’s funny how the tiniest of details can really change the overall look and feel.

Questions?

Related Posts

Looking for more posts on home styling? I’ve shared a lot of designer tips, pointers, and favorites. I’ll link some below!

• The Best Amazon Vases, Vessels & Pottery for Classic Styling
• How to Style a Bathroom That Feels Like a Boutique Hotel
• The Best Coffee Table Shapes for Every Sofa Style (With Easy Examples)
• How to Source & Style the Most Realistic Electric Fireplace
• The Best Faux Fur Throw Blankets for Styling This Winter
• Timeless Tips for a Bedroom Refresh Without Renovating
• 25 Neutral Sofas from Wayfair That Will Never Go Out of Style
• How to Choose the Perfect Rug for Any Room
• How to Mix Metals in Your Home Like a Designer
• Designer Light Fixtures That Will Never Go Out of Style

Styling built ins is equal parts creativity, strategy, and editing. Give yourself permission to play around, move things, and live with it for a few days. Styling is never about perfection… it’s about creating a space that feels thoughtful, welcoming, and very you. If you ever catch yourself staring at your shelves, wondering what is missing, chances are the answer is simply a little breathing room. I hope this helps! I’m happy to answer any questions in the comment section below.