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Design: Lou Watkins
While the term "shelfie" may have been kicking around the internet since 2014, as far as we're concerned, this trend has officially reached timeless status. (Who can resist an artful arrangement of books, plants, and knickknacks when placed just-so on a sleek bookshelf?) But the latest inspiration rooms we're loving place a *little* more emphasis on the bookcase's original purpose—that is, storing books.
Whether you're a voracious reader who spends half her monthly budget at the local indie bookstore or just someone who appreciates flipping through a few choice periodicals, there's no denying that a pair of stately bookshelves in the living room lends an elevated, well-appointed air to your space. And with fall in full-swing, we can't think of anything that sounds cozier than curling up in your own personal home library with a cup of coffee and a favorite read.
Luckily, no matter if you're blessed with built-ins or just rocking a few IKEA KALLAXes, these designs will fill you with the shelf-confidence you need to make your living room's bookshelves really stand out. (Just don't be surprised if these stacked shelves inspire you to pick up a little more reading material of your own—don't say we didn't warn you.)
Here are our most inspiring bookshelf design ideas for the living room.
Ship(lap) Shape
Just when we thought we'd seen every shiplap application under the sun, this clever twist comes to steal our hearts. Add a ton of texture in a small space by confining the shiplap to shelf lining—unlike covering full walls with the material, limiting the application to your bookcase helps you avoid overpowering a petite room.
Fit To Be Framed
There are two schools of thought when it comes to wall-mounted TVs: one suggests making the TV as unobtrusive as possible through various forms of camouflage...but we're partial to the opposite approach. Frame your TV with shelves and let it be the family focalpoint it is. (Bonus points if you manage to add woven-cane cabinets at the bottom like the ones in this home.)
Bold Colorblocking
Drop it low. We love the optical illusion of "extending" a few low shelves by colorblocking the wall above with the same paint color. Not only does it add a whimsical touch to standard floating shelves, but it lets you play with proportion too...and add lighting right above your favorite titles.