Styling a bookshelf is, for many of us, a labor of love. From choosing the shelves themselves (Horizontal or Vertical? Wood or Metal?) to selecting the books and objects that will be placed inside them, curating a bookshelf comes down to balance and careful arrangement.
We're taking cues from Sarah Jessica Parker on this front, whose library-worthy bookshelf idea is giving us a serious case of envy. In a post recently shared to her Instagram page, SJP showed off her wall-to-wall shelving unit, filled with books as well as decorative objects like ceramics and glass vases.
She has also made it seasonally appropriate with garland, as well as tapered candles and tealights, the latter of which can serve as year-round bookshelf accessories.
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Keep things sleek and modern with this minimalist glass hurricane holder. Its transparent glass gives way to candle’s look and the glass construction adds a touch of sophistication to any shelf, just like Sarah's.
These LED candles may be faux, but they pass for the real thing, at a fraction of the price. At ten inches tall, they’re surprisingly substantial and look especially convincing once styled in your favorite holders.
Adding some stylish bookends to your shelving can easily heighten the elegance of your display. This travertine pair would work beautifully in a minimalist scheme.
Rustic but playful, these spindle-shaped holders bring a curated coziness to any corner. At thirteen and nine inches tall, respectively, they pair perfectly with the ten-inch tapers for a more dramatic towering accent – ideal for catching attention from across a large room.
These hand-blown seafoam green glass candleholders strike the perfect balance between vintage and modern. Their fluid, sculptural borosilicate glass will glow beautifully in candlelight, adding a subtle touch of color to your shelves.
Introduce light into your bookcase with the elegant candle holder. Its hurricane-style form is crafted from glass and brass with a nickel finish, lending a vintage feel to your vignettes from the living room to your dining room.
Design experts say that diversifying the objects on your bookshelf is a surefire way to maintain visual intrigue and individuality when arranging your bookshelf.
'Variety is key when it comes to shelf styling. Mix different materials and textures to add depth and interest to your display,' says Laura Hammett, creative design director at Laura Hammet Living.
'Sculptural items, such as bookends, work well as ornamental pieces atop a stack of books or when used practically to enclose a row of vertically stacked books. Combine contrasting forms and shapes such as organic-shaped glass vases alongside a bronze-trimmed media box for a striking contrast.'
To recreate Sarah Jessica Parker's look, play around with candles, like this set of flameless ribbed ones from Target, which are also great for adding texture. They would look particularly handsome housed in these handcrafted wood holders. For a tried and true piece of decor, these stone bookends from McGee & Co. make beautiful additions to shelves.
