I meet with many clients who have built in bookshelves on both sides of their fireplaces and have no idea what to do with a space that has so many individual focal points.
I find so many times the shelves have been over-filled with everything from books, picture frames and many small decorative objects. It can look sloppy and unimaginative.
Considering the fireplace should be the main focal point in the room, these busy built-ins do nothing to create a bold statement. Your eyes can’t focus on anything in particular, and the shelves do not offer a clear theme or story.
The first tip I can offer is to remove a shelf or two if possible. Many contractors will place adjustable shelving in the bookshelves, but many people don’t consider the simple task in taking out a shelf or two.
With this idea, you have fewer shelves to decorate, and you can use larger items now that you have more space between shelves.
Also, don’t consider just placing items on the shelves. Use the back wall of the bookshelves and hang a piece of art or mirror. This will allow you to create a nice dimension to your bookshelves.
Maybe, paint the back wall of your shelving a contrasting color. Maybe install a textural wallpaper like grass cloth. I have even installed mirror on the back wall of the bookshelves. Sometimes even an antique mirror that reflects light and gives great depth in a more subtle way as opposed to clear mirror.
As you add objects onto your bookshelves make sure to group smaller items together. This will make a bigger and cleaner statement.
Group similar themed items together. Place some books as you normally would in a vertical position. Then stack a few books on their sides and place a decorative item on top. I like adding greenery to every room, whether it is a table plant, tree or bush. Greenery gives a fresh pop of color of nature. A bookshelf is a great place to add some greenery.
As you place objects on the back wall of the bookshelves, make sure to add rounded type items when you can, maybe even a sunburst patterned item. This will play off of the rectangular openings of the shelves and give you a little pop.
If you have bookshelves on both sides of your fireplace, make sure to balance one side with the other. Place similar sized and/or similar colored items in similar place on both sides.
As you remove shelves and move the others around, consider alternating shelves so that you don’t have a boring “straight across” shelving effect.
Consider all that I have mentioned above as you look at the image below. This was a model home I decorated for a local builder. The shelves pop, making a nice clean statement. As you can see, I omitted many shelves.
