Basement

Reply to: I prefer to see mostly books on bookshelves with other stuff sprinkled in. I'd take everything off and remove the second shelf from the top if you can on maybe two of the shelves to accomodate large art. I think it looks good if the larger pieces are closest to eye level (so upper shelves) and it helps to create a focal point. If the piece needs more height you could use a tabletop easel. I would then bring in color and texture and different shapes. I'd try and repeat colors from the art. I agree about don't be afraid to hang art on the front. Add books. You can group by height and also stack to use as pedestals for a decorative object or picture frame to add depth and interest. I also like seeing cloches over something on a book. I like to position the books at the front edge vs. pushing them to the back. Breathing room is good. Baskets or bins are good. Too many small objects will look cluttered. I like pictures sprinkled in but I think it's easier to pull off when the frame color is all the same or closely related. The butterflies you could hang (command hooks) to the back of one of the shelves. You can layer in front of some pieces. You want the eye to go up and down looking at the shelves but also want it to look balanced. You could also flip the books around so the pages are showing from the front. I've seem some complain here that it's difficult to tell what the book is but mine are currently like that and it's not an issue. I can see from the side view on some, remember where others are, or just pull them out a bit to see. It gives more of a solid one color look. I do very much like seeing book bindings in all their colors and titles too. Hang in there. I think accessorizing bookshelves are hard.

Q

Reply to: It looks “off” because you have too many small items. Also, you need more books, the more, the better, IMO. Here are a few examples of placing a mix of books, decorative items, photographs, etc. Notice that the decorative items are large enough to be seen from across the room.

Q