Bookshelves are necessary, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be pretty. Follow these tips to make your bookshelves beautiful.

• Use pieces other than just books. Think art, memorabilia, plants, even an old clock. Try to vary shape and texture to add interest.
• Try to color coordinate. This isn’t always possible, but can be accomplished. You might even try laying your books down with the pages showing rather than the spines.
• Use books as pedestals for art objects by stacking them on their sides and placing objects on top.
• Try to put books of similar heights together.
• Make sure you don’t push books all the way to the back of the shelf. It looks nicer to have the them toward the front of the shelf, and books actually need airflow.
• Do something unexpected like hanging a painting or photograph on the front of the bookcase.
• Remember less really is more.  Don’t fill in every little bit of space. Remember to leave room in your bookshelves for your eyes to rest.

By following these tips, your book shelves can be the talk of the town (or at least your book club.)

All photos from Pottery Barn.