Functionality Meets Personality: How to Choose and Style Bookshelves

A beautifully styled bookshelf is more than just a place to store your beloved tomes: it’s a snapshot of your taste, a frame for your favourite objects, and a subtle reflection of how you live. When styling, it’s important to think about balance, proportion, and the mood you want to create, starting with the right furniture as your foundation.

Choosing the Right Bookshelf for Your Space

Before styling even begins, the shape, size, and design of your bookshelf matter. A tall, classic design like the Hamptons Bookcase offers generous shelving for books and décor, plus closed cabinetry for tucking away items you’d rather keep hidden. In contrast, an open-frame piece such as the Porto Bookcase brings a lighter, more architectural feel—perfect for modern and industrial-inspired rooms. Smaller spaces benefit from compact solutions like the Tove Low Shelf, which doubles as a display surface and accessible storage.

Playing with Layers and Heights

A successful bookshelf arrangement has rhythm: tall vases beside shorter stacks of books, framed art propped behind a trailing plant. Layering not only adds depth but also makes your shelves feel lived-in rather than showroom stiff. On an open design like the Porto, the clean lines frame each arrangement and allow the various layers to take centre stage.

Your choice of organisation system for your books can also inform how you place and layer objects on your shelves. If you’re a big fiction fan, arranging books by author or genre is a useful way to easily locate your favourites. Hardcover and coffee table books can lend themselves to creative arrangements by spine colour or size, letting the books themselves be decorative elements.

Mixing Materials and Textures

Texture is key to making a shelf visually inviting. Combine glossy ceramics with matte books, woven baskets, and metallic accents. The natural timber finish of the Eden Tall Shelf pairs especially well with greenery and rattan décor, creating a warm, organic display. Mixing materials ensures your shelves don’t feel flat, and is a clever way to tie in other elements in the room.

A Palette That Tells a Story

A cohesive colour story will unify your display. You can group items in complementary tones or create a more eclectic look with pops of bold colour. For example, the deep green hue of the Alfie Arched Shelves in Green makes it easy to style with richly coloured accessories, adding personality and sophistication to the space.

Leaving Room to Breathe

Overcrowding is the enemy of good styling. Leave negative space so your chosen pieces can shine. A piece like the Hamptons Bookcase, with its wider shelves, makes it easy to leave room between groupings, resulting in a display that feels elegant and intentional rather than chaotic.

Kids’ Bookshelves That Spark Imagination

When styling for little hands (and big imaginations!), accessibility and durability become key. The Aspen Bookcase brings a minimal Scandi look to kids’ rooms, with three shelves and a drawer – plus it fits storage cubes perfectly for organising toys and books. For a fun, functional twist, the Theo Rotating Bookshelf features a wave design and swivel storage so smart, even toddlers can reach all sides easily. 

Shelving with Purpose

In the end, the perfect bookshelf styling is equal parts practical and personal. With Mocka’s diverse range, you can choose a foundation that complements your home, and use your own styling prowess to tell your unique story.