In late November we added the built in bookshelves to the family room and I’ve been itching to get them styled ever since. I kind of threw together some items during the Christmas season to fill the empty shelves, but now that the holidays are over I spent the weekend giving them a big makeover.
Here’s the before…
And here’s the after…
It’s amazing how much homier this room feels now that there is some life on these white shelves! The room feels so much warmer, not so stark white.
You can see I also picked out some new curtains for the family room. They’re actually the same ones from Bed, Bath & Beyond that we had in our old living room (when I had to throw the room together right before we listed the house).
You may have noticed that I still need some accent pillows for the couches. That has been an agonizing journey. I think I’ve purchased & returned about 4 different sets. Not even kidding.
OK… back to the bookshelves. When decorating these I knew I wanted to use a lot of framed family photos. I had a lot of brown frames in storage and used them in a couple different sizes on the shelves. I like how they bring together the color of our staircase railing and dark hardwood floors.
And normally people would fill these with actual books (obvious choice there) but Ben and I donated all of our old ones last year before the big move. We figured that we weren’t going to read most of them again and Ben prefers to read new books on his iPad (not me so much, I love the feel of a good book in my hands). Well we kept a couple books, mostly the older vintage editions. I used those on the shelves then filled in the gaps with items from our home décor stash.
I also purchased a couple baskets from Target for each side of the bookshelves for added storage.
There’s a couple of minor items I need to complete before I can officially cross this room off our to do list:
• find affordable club chairs
• purchase accent pillows and end table lamp
• raise the mounted TV a little bit
• hang blinds
But besides that this room is good to go!
Now if someone can point me in the direction of affordable leather club chairs that don’t cost an arm and a leg, I’d be forever grateful.
kristin says
Love your bookshelves, so pretty and the styling is perfect!
XO
Kristin
howtonestforless says
Thanks Kristin! Hope you’re doing well 🙂
Cecilia says
Yeah, I’d like to know where those chairs exist too! Love your bookshelves! They look great!
howtonestforless says
I’m on the hunt! I’ll let you know if I find something 😉
Jenny says
Very nice! How did you hang those curtains in the bay window? I can’t tell by the pics. My bedroom has a bay window and I’d like to hang something just for coziness, but not a huge bulky rod.
howtonestforless says
OK… don’t make fun of me… I nailed them to the wall. I really wanted them perfectly flush and wasn’t sure if I was going to keep them so I nailed them up. They’re actually in the wall quite well so I might just keep them like that for awhile 😉
Toni Counts says
How about making your own throw pillows?
Covers and those nice feather/down inserts?
howtonestforless says
Ooh, that’s super smart!! DUH, why didn’t I think of that. And of course I have about 10 old accent pillows in the basement that I could recover. Thanks for the idea!
Brandi says
Find pretty cloth napkins (I’m partial to World Markets linens) and make them into throw pillow covers. Easy to store from season to season and just buy some good inserts.
I have a pleather club chair that I purchased at Big Lots of all places. $100, quite comfortable, and a perfect fit for the corner of my office.
howtonestforless says
Smart on the cloth napkins! I’ll have to check them out during my lunch hour. I always love World Market and I’ve been meaning to check out some dining room chairs from there too.
Big Lots, who knew?! We have one by our house. Did you get it there a long time ago?
Brandi says
I got the chair about 3 months ago.
howtonestforless says
Thank you! I’ll check them out this weekend.
Jessica says
I love all the green on the shelves! They just pop with the white. And they look amazing in your space! Thanks for the inspiration because now I want to style my shelves again!
howtonestforless says
Thanks Jessica! And good luck with yours 🙂
Janelle Ditmer says
How cute! We must be on the same wave length or something. We are thinking about putting in bookshelves in our living room. I’m absolutely helpless when it comes to styling though. This was so helpful!
Leather chairs – I’ve seen them on clearance at target (online). American Furniture Warehouse (if there is one in your area) has furniture for super cheap. I’d also second big lots as well as overstock.
Not sure what you are looking for or budget – but here’s one
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Christopher-Knight-Home-Freemont-Brown-Bonded-Leather-Club-Chair/5753986/product.html?recset=307816f5-2149-46ca-9132-e81dcb5a8318&refccid=L3T7WTIBTLOZ2J2O3JVR2E3OFY&searchidx=2&recalg=61&recidx=2
howtonestforless says
I absolutely LOVE the bookshelves, especially the closed cabinets underneath. Great to stash away our blankets and the big electronics.
And thank you so much for the link to the chair! I’ve been looking for non-rounded arms, but at least a suggested similar chair popped up next to it that I might pull the trigger on. Thank you!!
Whitney Shortt says
The styling looks great here. I love the greenery mixed with baskets!
howtonestforless says
Thanks Whitney!
Mary-the boondocks blog says
Very well styled Bookcase. You have lots of varied and lovely elements. Mine is overstuffed but there is nothing to be done for it. I’l have to work on purging!
Kristi says
Your shelves look great! I always struggle with styling shelves so these were inspirational to look at. I especially like all the greenery you included!
howtonestforless says
Thanks so much Kristi! Greenery makes everything better 😉
Linda Ritchie says
Are you using live plants or artificial?
carmen says
We use a mix of both!
Lori says
Beautiful built-ins and excellent styling of them! Love all the elements you’ve used and the combination of them on each shelf – so cohesive. You are right, they make the room come alive. Hope you find some accent pillows you like soon as that will add even more style to this already terrific space!
howtonestforless says
Thanks so much Lori!
Krista says
Awesome styling!! I love the crisp clean look of the shelves after- such a great focal point wall!!
Marie says
Those bookshelves are awesome, period! The way you styled them just makes them gorgeous!
Anita says
Your built in bookshelves are fantastic:-) I have always dreamt of having similar ones.
And your styling is also great:-)
Love it all.
Carmen Gomez (Lilly) says
I love your built ins, you did such a great job styling them!
Kate says
I love these shelves. I also love the greenery. Looks so organic!
Thanks for sharing on the Wake Up Wednesday link party! Hope to see you again next week!
Kate | TheOrganizedDream.com
Amanda @The Kolb Corner says
They turned out great! Thank you for sharing at Merry Monday!
Melanie says
What a beautiful living space! I am seriously crushing on your colour scheme – love all the greenery, dark timbers and white mixed with the grey sofas. Pinning this now for inspiration in my own home! Thanks for sharing x
wen says
Gorgeous! We got our club chairs from Costco online years ago and get tons of compliments – they came in a 2-pack. They probably still have similar sets every so often. Target.com also has good ones.
howtonestforless says
Thanks so much! We just moved near one so I’ll definitely have to check Costco!
Hannah@SeeingtheLovely says
Super cute shelves, your room looks so cozy! Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty!
howtonestforless says
Thanks for hosting!
Rebecca Lopez says
Super cute!
Jenna says
May I ask how you did the bookshelves? Did you DIY or have them professionally done? We are considering something very similar but not sure where to start or where to get them. If you have done a blog post on this, please let me know! 🙂 beautiful room!!
Jenna
Sue says
I love the way you’ve styled your bookshelves using strong colors and contrasts. I’ve seen so many houses online that are decorated in pale grays, white and neutrals, which is not my style. Your bookshelves demonstrate that one can find a pleasing balance and an attractive look with strong colors, too. Well done!
sars says
How did you do your bookshelves?? Where did you get those cabinets.?😀
Phyllis says
What is the name if your curtains that you got at bed bath beyond
Love them
carmen says
We’ve had them for YEARS but you could try searching medallion curtains on Amazon, Bed Bath and Beyond or Wayfair.