Styling a bookshelf is an opportunity to express personality while elevating the atmosphere of your home – creating a space that feels personal and lived in, an integral part of La Grange Interiors’ design philosophy. While we strive for aesthetic harmony through a blend of contemporary African warmth and European sophistication, we believe that spaces should always reflect the personal tastes and interests of their inhabitants.
A shelf is the ideal blank slate for creating insight into your life and interests – what you love, where you’ve been, your favourite objects. La Grange Interiors’ distinctive collections and the diversity of its collection are the perfect starting point for layering and styling your way to self-expression.
A beautifully styled shelf marries functionality and decorative appeal. Books remain the base, but the surrounding objects add depth.
choose your bookshelf
Your styling journey starts with the basics – the type of shelving you choose. We have a range of shelving styles to perfectly encapsulate your treasured objects and express your personal style.
For graphic modern interest, the Ross in natural or black oak is a striking piece in and of itself. This lends itself well to creating curated vignettes. Mix your books with clusters of curated decor pieces to avoid a wall of uniform spines.
Floating shelves pair beautifully with minimalist objects. Their simplicity allows clean lines, perfect for a modern aesthetic. If you love a bold look, an open-back unit like the Theo creates maximum visual impact. The back wall colour becomes part of the composition, giving each accessory a backdrop.
For classic elegance, the freestanding Murano allows just enough of the display to peep through the glass, without taking over. Likewise, the Fermo cabinet offers a combination of concealed storage below and open shelves above to allow you to hide the messy bits and show off the decorative ones.
colour creates personality
Start with La Grange’s signature neutral palette, letting neutrals anchor the space (here, the bookshelf itself also plays a role). Add subtle dimension by incorporating an accent colour, or colours — warm rust, deep olive, or muted blues – through your selection of accessories. Remember, the colour dictates the mood, so choose carefully.
For a serene look, create monochromatic displays, relying on texture rather than colour to define the collection. Glossy ceramics from 101 Copenhagen, matte stone vessels, or colourful Dutz glass can add interest without disrupting the palette. Embrace the idea of updating seasonally too –lighter colours and botanicals in summer, richer tones and metallics in winter.
la grange’s iconic accessories
La Grange’s ceramic collections are beloved for their organic forms and artisanal finishes. Display them individually or as combinations to anchor your shelf. Vessels, vases and bowls are good items for combining aesthetics with functionality.
Likewise incorporate statement bookends to break up books en masse and add punctuation.
Finally, elevate the displays with sculptural objects that add artistic impact and serve as visual emphases across your arrangement.
keep it interesting
La Grange styling is all about sensory balance. Here, the goal is to layer and contrast. Pair slick pieces with natural organic elements like wood or woven baskets for warmth. Introduce metallic accents for an element of luxe and sophistication. Play with glossy and matte finishes, vintage and contemporary styles, and sizes to build tension. And don’t forget something alive – flowers or plants add dynamism and softness to the composition.
A beautifully styled shelf should above all, feel personal. Mix your own collections with La Grange statement pieces to create depth. Travel finds, family photographs and heirlooms should all live alongside decorative pieces.
practical styling tricks
A few dependable formulas make styling dynamic and interesting: vary heights of pieces to create dimension; group objects in odd numbers for natural balance; mix horizontal and vertical rhythm by alternating stacked books, upright books, and objects. Use oversized or special one-off pieces as focal points, allowing smaller items to support them.
This way each shelf becomes a curated vignette that tells your story.