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45 Must-Know Tips for Styling Your Built-In Bookshelves

Brush up on our shelf-styling tips to master the #shelfie and ban boring built-ins with these creative bookshelf decorating ideas.

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Photo: Sarah Busby; Styling by H. Camille Smith. From: H. Camille Smith.

Style Your #Shelfie

ICYMI: #shelfies are a thing. Whether you want to perfectly style your built-ins to wow social media or are just wondering what — besides books — belongs there, our designer-tested tips will help you create a pretty vignette featuring a few of your favorite collectibles, secondhand finds and, of course, books for a #shelfie that makes storage stylish.

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Photo: Sarah Busby; Styling by H. Camille Smith. From: H. Camille Smith.

Don't Forget Bookends

Antique bookends, like these gilt corbel-style finds are a handy way to keep your books organized while adding a vintage vibe. To score 'em on the cheap, hit estate sales, flea markets and secondhand shops. And, to protect their timeworn patina, be careful not to over-clean or over-polish antique finds. Get our tips for properly cleaning these oldies but goodies, below.

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Photo: Aimee Mazzenga. From: Bria Hammel Interiors.

Max Out the Space You Have

This clever space saver proves that you can work a built-in into even the oddest shaped spaces. Designer Bria Hammel custom-constructed this curvy cutie to perfectly follow the curving wall and work in ample storage for both books and favorite finds.

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Photo: Sarah Busby; Styling by H. Camille Smith. From: H. Camille Smith.

Pick a Color ... Any Color

Your built-in bookcase is the perfect spot for incorporating your go-to hue. Stack books in your favorite shade, then top with a collectible in the same color.

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