And I mean bookcase, not bookshelf lol

Either do a collection of something like pottery or a mix of books and decorative items. You need more if either.

Thanks for the tips and pictures! I'm definitely going to be adding more items. Can I do pottery in addition to the items I already have or should I stick to more metal type objects?

Alternate shelves with bright colors. What colors do you have in the room? I'd like to see either bright red or bright orange, to really punch up this space. I have different things in my built-ins, including small vases from unique gift shops, picture frames with bright colors in the prints. Yes, do add more books if they are in these bright colors!

You are off to a nice start. IMO, I would add a woven texture storage box (keep photos, etc.); also add either family photos or art work perhaps on an easel; more books would be nice. Try to keep the scale as large as possible. Larger, but fewer items looks better from a distance.

Thanks! So the colors in the room are mainly navy and other shades of blue. I could add a small vase with maybe yellow flowers?! I agree with the larger objects vs lots of small ones! I found these cute bookends I will order. I'll go get more books - keep going with the shades of blue or add a different color too? And insane to add a family photo - silver picture frame or should I do a colored one? I don't want it to get too busy but also don't want it to be too boring or plain

I'm going to add a family photo - not "insane" lol wow

Bookends I might order unless I can find something better ?

Bookends look cute but traditional. The pieces u have look more "modern" in style. I would find more modern bookends. I would rearrange the items to spread out similar items. Put books lower and smaller pieces higher while balancing between shelves. The large semi round sculptured pieces look beautiful but a bit too large for the space the r in. Are the shelves moveable? Is so, give them more room in space. Add more books, and more textured pieces to off set the smooth, shiny pieces u have. Another trick is to place books with their pages facing out not the binded backs.

These pictures are soooo helpful! I have these in my brief bag and refer to them when I am adding decor to my client shelves. I hope they will help you too!

I inherited books from my grandfather who was an author and my mother who also loved books. I have more books than I can put in one room but I love the warmth that they provide. I know I'm biased in this regard because I grew up surrounded by books but I expect to find books in a bookcase. The thing I don't care for in these photograph examples is that the shelves often look like a boutique store. It can get a little contrived. I agree with displaying what you have in an artistic manner but I think the shelves should be predominately books. I remember being at a party once and looking at the host's bookshelves that really looked like they struggled to fill them and thinking that they weren't very interesting people. I think your displays need to reflect you and your interests. Someone once told me you can tell a lot about a person by the books they read. So in addition to getting some blue books, take a look at the titles too. People assume you actually read the books you display.

Thanks everyone! The pictures are helpful! It's true, my pieces are more modern - I didn't think about that! And the half circles are on the large side, I agree! I actually ordered them to go on top of a console table in the entry, which is still where they might end up! I definitely agree I need to add more books but there's no way I could fill it all with JUST books lol! Thanks! :)

IMO its most important that they house things you want to see all the time. I like more wood and paper in book shelves. Books. Photos. Maps and globes. Wood boxes. I was told by a designer friend at least 25 percent no more than 50 percent books. This is mine I just thinned out to reduce clutter and maximize my daily 'spark of joy'

Gosh, I didn't mean to suggest that anyone should have 100% books but I think 50% is too few. I have photos, small framed art, a couple of pieces of small sculpture and a live plant. I stack the books horizontally and vertically. I think interesting bookends add a lot too.

The "general" rule is 1/3 books, 1/3 empty space and 1/3 objects of art. If it's not too crowded, you're doing good. :) I have a way too crowded book case. :)

Personally, I like a book shelf with lots of character with things that I have collected over time. Grab a little souvenir whenever you travel and place that on your book shelf. Even if it's just from a few towns over, you'll have that little memory. I don't like seeing book shelves stuffed with little knick knacks from Home Goods that have no meaning.

make sure if you add photos that the frames are more upright than the standard framed photo on a table. you want to see the photo, not just a flat reflected glass surface. also make sure all frames are at the same angle or it looks sloppy.

Oh good point about the angle of the frames - I didn't think about that!

How about some whimsy fun? Alligator bookends.. The silver alligator is from Zgallery for $50. Too cute.

Cute alligator! Here is an update of what I did today. Still haven't filled the bottom two shelves - they are shorter and I'm not sure what to put there yet. Thoughts?

Books would be nice.......

I think you need things to be different heights,,,,maybe mix up some long low items

looks good..

Thank you, I like the idea of not centering all the books! I moved the top left shelf's books all the way to the left and moved the top right books more to the right. The bottom shelf I left centered! I do agree I need some shorter objects - I'll definitely look for something like that for the lowest empty shelves, since they're not as tall anyway! Thinking to only fill the bottom left one and keep the bottom right one empty - so it doesn't look super busy and also because most of that shelf is covered up by the chair in front of it. Thanks!

Makes me want to see the rest of your house. Great job!

Haha thank you! That's still a work in progress - moved in in August after lots of remodeling, had a baby in October so things have come to a halt for a little while. Getting back on track now so I can finish it and start enjoying it!