Today I wanted to talk a bit about decorating styles. One of the things I love most about being an interior designer is that there is more than one way to skin a cat when it comes to decorating. Creating a look that fits YOUR lifestyle, personality and esthetic is what decorating your home is all about.

When it comes to helping clients infuse their personal style into their home, bookcase arrangements are one of the areas I love to work on the most. Bookshelves provide the perfect space for showcasing things you love, sharing your interest through books and representing your unique design style.

Here’s a look at 5 Bookcase Styles that will inspire you when decorating your own plus a few design tips to make it all happen.

BOOKS and more books!

I am of the opinion that all bookcases need books as part of the decorative mix. For a real book lover, lots of books are in order but the techniques in which they are displayed can make or break the style of the bookcase.

* Use books with similar color covers to unify the overall arrangement

* Arrange books artfully–place books standing, lying on their back or leaning. Vary the placement from shelf to shelf to keep the look for being too rigid and stale.

* Place larger books towards the bottom or mix them throughout in a balanced way.

* A few accessories here and there will add some personality to a bookcase filled with books.

via the English Room

A masterful Mix!

If you love to put your design style on display, then fill your bookcase with a few (or a lot) of your favorite decorative objects.

* Don’t over fill the shelves. Keep breathing room between objects so that every piece on display stands out.

* Create a common thread within your arrangement but using at least three pieces in the same color family.

* Create groups of 3 which are softer on the eye than even-numbered items.

* Make sure to balance the visual weight of objects on each shelf.

* Use book to elevate smaller objects.

via Emily Henderson

Photos and Frames!

Decorating bookshelves with family photos and/or artwork can be great way to create a personal connection with anyone that enters your home.

* Keep frame colors the same to create balance and impact.

* Create dimension with the way photos are placed. Hang some photos on the back wall of the bookcase and let other sit and overlap each other on a shelf.

* Vary the size and direction of frames to create interest–some vertical and some horizontal.

* One or two large single impact photos is a great way to create visual impact within the overall arrangement.

via The Inspired Room

Objects of Desire!

Bookshelves are a collectors dream and can make for a dynamic display of the pieces you love.

* Vary the size of items used on a single shelf to create visual interest.

* Position items forward and back so that not everything is in a straight line and feels rigid.

* Add a background color to your bookshelves to help frame the items on display.

* Rotate the pieces you collect so that all your pieces get showtime throughout the year.

via Better Homes and Gardens

Baskets and Bins!

If your bookcase needs to provide organization and storage, you can mix baskets and bins along with decorative objects to create a dynamic display.

* Place textural baskets on different shelves so they don’t overwhelm the look of your bookcase.

* Use bins and containers with liners so that the contents are hidden and the bookshelves have a clean and clutter-free look.

* Mix in decorative objects to soften all the square shapes.

* Have some decorative objects protrude from the baskets so the overall arrangement doesn’t feel like a wall of boxes.

* Hang decorative paper on the back wall to add visual interest.