In our bookshelf styling, the first thing we do with a crowded bookshelf is remove some shelves. Veronica loves removing shelves. For the shelves in a living room, the styling takes us about two hours, maybe three.
A Colleyville living-room bookcase
In September or October 2026, in the living room of a client's home in Colleyville, our founder and lead designer, Veronica Eckhardt, took some of the shelves out of the bookcase. On the shelves that stayed, she kept ginger jars, photo frames and candlesticks, and she brought in pictures, books, greenery and larger accessories. That home is in the same city as our Colleyville interior design studio.
If a bookcase at your house feels packed, tell us about your home and which room the shelves are in.
How we style a shelf, and why
Taking a couple of shelves out here and there gives the bookcase a more custom feel. With fewer shelves we can add larger and smaller scale items, and the arrangement doesn't look so forced. Sometimes larger pieces look great in place of small accessories.
Too many photo frames can make shelves look cluttered, and then not a single picture will stand out. Veronica says, "I think the most common mistake on shelves is using paperback books instead of a hardcover." The other mistakes we watch for are too many colors and cramming too much onto a single shelf. In our experience, shelves can change your entire room.
Taking things away and adding
In some of the homes we work in, a favorite part of the job is reusing pieces the homeowner already has. In those homes, the homeowners have bought some expensive furnishings and want a new look. By taking things away and adding some new things, we can make it look as if they have an entire new home.
A separate client's bookshelves
A separate client's Google review says she thought her bookshelves needed more decor, and that Veronica took out some shelves instead and pared back the rest, which felt more intentional. The same review says Veronica walked the home and rearranged pieces that had become visually stagnant, so the space felt fresh with things the client already owned. In our reply to that review, we said the house had all the bones already and simply needed fresh eyes, and that we had put her eclectic collection together.
From our own projects
This is our own photo of the Lakehouse living room, which has custom built-ins and an adjoining home office.
From the same full-service project, our pantry photo shows light oak cabinetry, white open shelving and a built-in work counter.
On site at install
When we install a room, we're there in person to arrange the bookshelves and hang the art. We'll also swap out the wrong throw pillow. Accessories belong to our Refresh, Furnishings & Styling services, together with furniture selections, drapery and florals. One of the principles behind how we work is Edit Ruthlessly, which means erring toward restraint. Another, Finish Completely, means we don't call a project finished until the lighting, the styling and the final details all feel effortless.
Next step for a crowded bookcase
For help with your own shelves, send a few details about your project, including which room they're in and what's on them now. We'll answer a contact-page inquiry within one business day and find a time to talk. Our portfolio page shows recent Dress Your Home projects, which range from renovations and outdoor refreshes to full custom builds.
