A black bookshelf is placed beside a bay window and an upholstered seating bench with gold legs. Add a black farmhouse sconce light above the reading bench and add a gold accent to it so they match. String some boho outdoor lights across the space to the main chandelier.
30 Beautiful Bookcase Ideas to Display Décor in Your Home
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Published: June 21, 2023
Updated: November 24, 2023
Bookcases are a great way to increase storage space in your home, as well as get an attractive display of collectible items put up in prominent areas for guests to see. The bookcase ideas included below are sure to get your creativity flowing!
When entertaining or personalizing your home décor, it’s nice to put some custom items and collectibles out to showcase the theme and style that fits your lifestyle and personality. Bookcases are a fantastic way to do so. You can stagger various items across the shelves, and it doesn’t even have to include books. You can place vases, portraits, dishware, storage bins, plants, or whatever your heart desires. There are bookcase ideas included below that also have various layouts which include corner arrangments, wall-to-wall setups, floor-to-ceiling built-ins, and open-faced shelving or cabinetry and drawers. You can customize these into any layout you want. And another great way to highlight your displays is with added lighting. There are various ways to light up the shelves with under or backlit shelving, sconce lights, and string lights.
Below you’ll find curated designs that include various types of bookcases, layouts, and displays. Check them out and see if you like any!
02 of White Open-faced Bookcase Sets for a Living Room
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Use a set of white open-faced bookcases to display and organize your collection of books in a formal living area. The white paint works beautifully with the gray sofas in this farmhouse living room, especially with the black and white plaid ottoman with a matching white serving tray.
03 of Open-faced Bookcase for a Modern Farmhouse Living Space
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This modern farmhouse living room is completed with a set of open-faced bookshelves containing various pieces of neutral decor. White vases, wood serving bowls, books, and woven storage baskets pair nicely with the white and black tones of the seating decor in this room.
04 of Small Corner Bookcase Inspiration for a Bedroom
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A small white corner bookshelf is positioned in between two doorways in a white bedroom space with natural wood flooring. Turn a collection of books inside out to display a similar color of pages on the open-faced shelves. Include some glass plaques, portraits, and farmhouse decor pieces.
05 of Farmhouse White and Gray Bookcase Pairings
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The moldings along the face of the cabinets on this white bookcase add a cute French country look that contrasts nicely with the gray glass paneled bookcase standing beside it. Separate the two pieces with ornamental grass and some antique figures to complete a rustic farmhouse look.
06 of Rustic Wooden Bookcase With French Paneled Glass Doors
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A rustic wooden bookcase with French paneled glass doors displays the top shelves decorated by antique gold figurines and vintage books. Add a cozy beige upholstered armchair beside the shelving for a convenient reading spot with a soft farmhouse tassel throw pillow.
07 of Corner Bookcase Layouts for a Vintage Living Room
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For smaller living spaces, try utilizing a corner bookcase layout like the one shown here. With open shelving tucked against the walls, you leave plenty of space to add a small end table with a reading lamp and a cozy vintage sofa with white faux fur throws and pillows.
08 of Built-in Bookcase Décor for a Farmhouse
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Decorative moldings cover the shelf dividers of this white modern farmhouse bookcase. Add a mixture of vintage and modern decor pieces like the antique wood clock, a modern serving bowl tray with candles, and farmhouse linens to complete this display.
09 of White Built-in Bookcase With Lower Cabinetry
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A wall-to-wall, built-in bookcase is equipped with lower cabinetry and drawers. Add some ornamental molding along the top of the shelf for a decorative look. Balance the shelving with staggered books, indoor plants, and figurines.
10 of Distressed White Antique Open-faced Bookcase
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- _sunshineinmysoul
A set of three white distressed bookshelves openly displays a collection of neutrally toned books with wood portraits, shelf organizers, and a rustic wooden ladder to reach the high shelves. Add some vintage farmhouse figurines and signs to the tops of the bookcases to complete this ensemble.
11 of Tuscan Farmhouse With White Built-in Bookcases
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A white built-in bookcase with top glass panel doors displays a collection of colorful books and glass farmhouse decor. The bright white shade of the bookshelf contrasts nicely with the warm tones of the seating area with Tuscan stone floors and a red farmhouse area rug.
12 of Wrap-around Bookcase Layouts for an At-home Library
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An in-home library is equipped with a white wrap-around bookcase with open-faced shelving. Arrange the books in sets so that the display looks organized and intentional. A jute rug and a vintage white upholstered chair create a cozy little reading space.
13 of Natural Wood Bookcases for a Farmhouse Living Room
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This wooden open-faced bookcase is placed beside a rustic hollow window frame with a boho pom-pom garland and decorative woven baskets arranged along the opposing wall. Place a cascading green succulent, woven rattan storage baskets, and portraits between the books along the shelves.
14 of Feminine Décor for a White Built-in Bookcase
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The back panel of wainscoting on this white open-faced bookshelf adds a cute farmhouse feel that goes well with the natural wood ski decor, leather books, and wooden eucalyptus planter. Add a feminine touch with a soft pink fir tree, gold bookends, and pastel dishware.
15 of Rustic Wooden Bookcase With French Glass Panel Doors
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A rustic French paneled bookcase displays a collection of books, topiary planters, candles, vases, and portraits in this cozy office space. The crystal decanter, cake stand, and emerald green dish set add a lovely holiday look to the stone coffee table.
16 of Short Open-faced Bookshelves for a Boho Farmhouse Bedroom
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The warm boho string lighting draping over this short white wood bookcase adds a cozy look to this bedroom corner. Add some greenery to the shelves for organic color, along with rustic wooden farmhouse decor pieces. Orient the books with the pages outwards to display neutral colors.
17 of Antique Cottage Bookcase With Vintage Décor
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Add a cute antique bookshelf over the top of a refurbished wood dresser to create your own open-faced bookshelf. Display some vintage glass decor like these emerald green serving dishes with cookbooks, plants, and a portrait for a simple cottage look.
18 of Built-in Living Room Bookshelves With White Crown Molding
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The white crown molding in this modern farmhouse living room runs along the top of the built-in white bookcase with open upper shelving and lower cabinet doors. Add some modern black stone vases, candle holders, and woven baskets amongst the books for a balanced and organic display.
19 of Built-in Bookcase With White Wainscoting
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White wainscoting panels on the front panels of an open-faced bookshelf complement the moldings found within the white fireplace framing in this cool-toned farmhouse living room. Add some galvanized flower vases, and a display of books to fill the shelves and add coordinating decor.
20 of Bold Black Wall-to-Wall Bookcase for a White Office Space
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Modernize an office space with a bold black wall-to-wall bookcase featuring an upper portion of open-faced display shelves and a lower half of shaker cabinet doors. Pair it with indoor plants, stacks of books, and a set of white upholstered reading chairs for the perfect office lounge space.
21 of White Built-in Bookcase With Lower Level Cabinetry
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This white bookcase built-in is perfect for a girl’s bedroom with its soft arching top frame and the white letter banner strung across the top. Add some vintage cathedral window frames and tall wooden candle sticks to get a rustic modern farmhouse look.
22 of Gray Home Office Desk Ideas
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This stunning home office boasts a stylish gray wooden desk on a beautiful gray and white floral rug, creating an inviting workspace. The black lamp and white chair add a touch of elegance. Enhance your own space with well-curated corner bookshelves featuring white vases, books, framed photos, and modern accents. Complete the look with a small stand, green vase, and leafy plant under an eye-catching painting for a chic, inspiring atmosphere.
23 of Modern Dining Room Bookcase Styles
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A moody black, white, and natural wood dining area is accompanied by a bold black open-faced bookcase with a gothic arching design. Pair this with a set of farmhouse black dining chairs along the wood plank table to add a modernized feel to the rustic space.
24 of Black Bookcase Ideas for a White Living Room
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Offset the bright hues of this white living room entry with a bold black wooden bookcase. The open-faced shelves along the top half allow for a lovely display of collected novels, figurines, and glass vases. Add some candles along the top for supplemental light.
25 of Masculine Bookcase for a Moody Office Lounge
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The black equestrian figurines and wooden decor along the open-faced shelving of this dark wood bookcase add a modern, masculine look that is perfect for a home office. Paint the top shelving black to create an even more moody space and make the displays along the shelves pop.
26 of White Living Room With Repurposed China Cabinet
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This country-inspired living room is decked out with white and brown elements, like the white repurposed china cabinet filled with brown books, beige decor, and amber glass bottles. A simple white balcony door with sheer curtains and a beige chandelier complete the space.
27 of Modern White Cabinets with Glass Doors
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A row of thin white cabinets with glass doors stand on a gray carpet. Small cubbies occupy the top of the cabinets and are complete with black knobs. The glass doors reveal a collection of decor and books.
28 of Open-faced Bookcase Layouts for a Farmhouse Living Area
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A white bookcase stands beside a rustic stone fireplace with white grout in this farmhouse living room. Arrange the books with the pages facing outward to get a similar color as you display different books beside each other. Add some simple neutrally toned figurines the complete a farmhouse display.
29 of White Bookcase With Glass Paneled Doors and Cabinets
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Enclosed bookcases like the one seen here are a perfect solution for organized storage and display of collectible items like figurines, vases, books, and portraits. Add concealed cabinet doors to the lower portion for items that you want to be kept out of sight.
30 of Vintage White Wood Bookcase by a Rustic Brick Fireplace
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The arching top of this white wood bookcase adds such a vintage look that goes perfectly with the rustic white-washed brick fireplace installed beside it. Orient the books along the shelves with pages facing outwards to display consistent colors, and include some rustic storage bins, and vases for balance.
