I read an interesting tidbit recently about how our bookshelves say a lot about us, but do we give them the time and attention they deserve when it comes to their aesthetic presentation? Most of us know that art is a fundamental accessory for decorating our homes, especially our living spaces such as family rooms and bedrooms. But what about the more highly functional features of our homes that are designed for storage and other practical considerations? If you haven't attended to them lately, there are great ways to add visual appeal to some of these nooks and repositories.

From lighting to accessories to decorative objects, as we help you identify your taste in art, we're taking a closer look at bookshelves as a backdrop for interesting art. Read on for a handful of useful tips.

Keep It Simple Yet Sophisticated

You can stage art and accessories within your bookcases to create an interesting aesthetic, but choose your items wisely. While we don’t always advocate for subtlety when it comes to art, it’s easier for these small spaces to look chaotic if you aren’t careful and deliberate.

In addition to your favorite books, include a small-scale work of art (or two), and incorporate decorative items that are complementary in color and scale. It doesn't have to be matchy-matchy, but consider styling shelves in a way that doesn't feel like clutter.

Play With Color

Using a bold-colored artwork as a focal point for which other items playoff and complement can be a great way to create a stunning display within and around your cherished periodicals.

We’ve seen some great examples for which grouping books of similar color schemes together enhances visual interest. Mix and match these types of color patterns through the various rows of shelves to create a space that is a juxtaposition of practical and pleasing.

Incorporate Texture and Dimension

When you set out to decorate shelves, utilize a range of interesting items of different shapes, textures, and dimensions. Examples may include decorative boxes, potted plants, and textural items such as decorative wooden bowls or ceramic vases which may also serve as stylish storage.

Always use your books to create visual interest. Display them in varying arrangements such as a mix of horizontally layered books with vertical books can be very pleasing to the eye. Stacked books can also serve as a perch on which you can place or lean your art.

Speaking of dimension, everything doesn’t have to be flush within the bookshelf. A very intriguing trend that we’ve seen in the last decade or so is to hang your art directly from the bookshelf. This is a cool way to make the art stand out against the backdrop of rows of books, but use caution and take steps to ensure the safety of your art.

Add a Personal Touch

As with any application of art within our homes, make it personal. Adorn your bookshelf with things that have meaning and reflect your personality. This may include favorite books by beloved authors, mementos, and collectibles. Add in art that represents something meaningful in your life, such as a familiar landscape, pet portrait, or picture frames with photos of your favorite places.

Other Considerations

If you're working with large shelves, just like any other art display, ensure you are hanging your art at eye level. Unlike other spaces that may require a deliberate process and placement to hang your art, you can easily lean a free-standing artwork on top of or within a bookshelf (making sure it can't take a tumble) or wedge smaller pieces in place among books and decorative accessories.No matter what, don't forget the books! Call attention to your more interesting periodicals by displaying them prominently, utilizing them in clever ways to complement your art and other treasured pieces. Vintage books, brightly illustrated photo books, and historic literature can add particular charm to your bookcase.

Need more ideas for identifying the best artworks for your small spaces? You can shop new art weekly on UGallery’s website.