13 Items For Accessorizing Your Bookshelves

Built in bookshelves styled with accessories — The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Amelia Manley / Candace Madonna

Bookshelves are for more than just novels! While most open shelving setups do feature books in some form, they're also often home to decorative boxes, sculptural pieces, picture frames, and much more. So if you're looking to master the art of shelf styling but aren't sure what to purchase in order to revamp your built-ins, you've come to the right place. We've rounded up 13 beautiful accent pieces that will take your shelves from so-so to ultra sophisticated. You're one step closer to taking that perfect "shelfie."

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One Thing Ep 89: A Simple Guide to Stylish Bookshelves

Anthropologie

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A knotted sculptural piece like this one looks stunning on its own or layered atop of a stack of books. At 7 inches wide, this one is sizable enough to make a statement without looking out of scale on a smaller shelf.

CB2

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No bookshelf is complete without bookends! These will add decorative flair to your setup while also corralling paperbacks or hardbacks in an orderly manner. If you have a special series of books you'd like to highlight on your shelf, you could use these to draw attention to those titles and section those novels off from the rest of your collection.

Amazon

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A bust sculpture is a stylish, quirky addition to any shelf setup. This bust is even more off the beaten path with its funky blindfold design. We love a modern take on a classic, and it's sure to capture guests' attention and become an instant conversation starter.

Target

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Leaning art on your bookshelf adds color and dimension—and it's also an excellent renter-friendly solution, as this eliminates the need for any nails. These beautiful canvases are budget-friendly and eye-catching; place them on two different shelves for a little more oomph. They feature so many happy hues that will really brighten up a room.

Amazon

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Bookshelves are for storage, too. But why not make your organization solutions aesthetically pleasing? These woven baskets are super handy for corralling everything from electronics to stationery. Sold as a set of three, they can be displayed stacked up or spread out across different shelves. Say goodbye to those unsightly plastic bins once and for all.

Amazon

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A live plant may not thrive on your bookshelf, but a faux succulent certainly will. Bring a touch of greenery to your shelves with this realistic-looking solution that will fool all of your visitors.

West Elm

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Display a few favorite photos in a sophisticated looking frame that doubles as a work of art. This one features a trendy fluted design and can be positioned horizontally or vertically. Given that it's black in color, it would look especially nice holding a black and white photo.

Amazon

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Liven up your coffee table book collection with some new titles that play to your interests and design aesthetic. This book on coastal decor features a beautiful blue jacket and is more than worthy of a spot on your shelves.

Amazon

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If you choose to place a candle on your bookshelves, why not elevate the setup a bit with a gorgeous cloche? A glass piece like this one is timeless and artful but can also be sourced super affordably.

Etsy

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A decorative bowl like this one is aesthetically pleasing and extremely useful. Use it to hold matchbooks, loose change, or even jewelry, if you're outfitting bookshelves in the bedroom. The ruffled design is oh-so-chic.

World Market

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Placing a magnifying glass set atop a stack of books brings vintage library vibes to your very own living room. Skip the endless hunt at the flea market and add this affordable beauty to your online shopping cart—no one will know it isn't an antique piece!

Overstock

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Burlwood continues to have a major moment, but if you're just looking to dabble in the trend without making a huge investment, we couldn't recommend one of these storage boxes more. They add a luxe touch to any space and can easily store remote controls, coasters, spare sets of keys... whatever else needs a hiding spot!

H&M

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Go sculptural! This museum-worthy piece can be yours for just $35 and will add some welcome texture to any shelf. Place it directly onto a shelf or let it sit a top of two or three books if you're looking for a way to utilize vertical space.