Here's a good tutorial: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/handmade-home-how-to-style-your-bookcase-stsetivw-vs~1338801

Some paint the back of their shelves. If you're interested in painting: paint foam board instead of the actual shelves.

thanks

Shelf display is an art! Be shameless and copy something you like. Doesn't mean you can't tweak for your own interests. Do you collect anything: cameras, pottery, etc?

I would LOVE to have that trouble! To have that much open space for books or other loved items would be wonderful. If you're not a book person, then look around for things you already have and start to place them here instead of where they are. If you ARE a book person, but just don't have enough to fill this wonderful space, look at estate sales and thrift stores and buy ones you'd like to read, but also ones that look interesting to the eye. But still mix the books with other items you enjoy displaying. The items and the book covers will add color, but the idea of foam board inserts for additional color is also an option.

With kids, you could put theirs on the lower shelves, in baskets, or even behind the doors,(tho i would prefer that space for dvd/cd storage as i don't like those out in sight).

If there's wood under the white, you might want to strip just the trim down to clean wood. Messy, but it would add some more interest and detail.

Enjoy the project! Depending on who does it, this could come out 100 different ways! Would love to see how it turns out!

Oh, I love bookcases. Here is a great opportunity to show ase your personality. First thing is to look over your possessions and see what you have, group like things together. I always like to do something to the back of a bookcase with paint in contrasting color, wallpaper or mirrors. If you have small objects that you want to display invest in some nice acrylic stands and holders to elevate. Have fun.