Style curator x Gioia: How to style a bookshelf like a stylist
This month, we’re proud to collaborate with Gina, the creative force behind @stylecuratorau, one of Australia’s leading voices in interior design. A communications specialist with a refined eye for style, Gina combines interiors with community and connection.
We challenged Gina to style ‘Systems, Light Brown Ochre,’ a print by the artist Leah Cummins. Here are her go-to tricks from years of styling bookshelves for homes and magazines, whether you’re refreshing your living room, home office or hallway.
‘One of my favourite ways to use art is to style it as a focal point on a shelf’
How to Style a Book Shelf with a Stylist
1. Start with scale
Style your shelf as you would an outfit. Begin with your largest pieces, except instead of jeans or a coat, think stacks of books and baskets. Then layer in your everyday essentials but in lieu of a classic T-shirt reach for ceramic objects, sculptures, photo frames and other mid-sized decor. Every great outfit is finished with accessories, and your bookshelf is no different, add metallic accents or crystals for a hint of bling.
Mixing heights and shapes creates depth and visual flow, which is what makes a shelf feel styled — not stacked.
2. Odd numbers create balance
It sounds weird, but grouping your objects in threes or fives creates visual balance. It’s a classic styling rule that makes arrangements feel more relaxed and less rigid. Use a mix of books, vases, bowls, and art for the perfect balance.
3. Mix materials
Bring in a variety of textures. If everything is the same material, your bookshelf will feel flat. Play with objects made from glass, metal, wood, jute, ceramics and so on. Have fun with it and don’t be afraid to add quirky or unexpected objects that tell a story.
4. Use negative space
Sometimes the best thing you can do to achieve a stylist-worthy bookshelf is to add nothing. Yep, leaving gaps between objects allows your eye to rest and makes each item or arrangement shine. This is what takes a shelf from cluttered to curated.
5. Add art
I mentioned this in the beginning, but artwork makes a great focal point in any bookshelf. Prop a small, framed piece or canvas at the back of the shelf and layer shorter objects in front. I often use pieces from my Gioia art collection to create a mini gallery moment on a shelf.
‘Bookshelves aren’t just for books — they’re an opportunity to showcase your personality and style’
6. Embrace plants
Plants add life to your bookshelf, literally! A trailing plant like Pothos is my favourite, but you could add any indoor plant to give life and movement to your shelf. It’s the finishing touch that softens the look and brings the outdoors in.
7. Books are essential
Of course — it wouldn’t be a bookshelf without books! The trick to styling books well is to mix up their orientation. Create a stack of 3-5 books horizontally and off-set these with a stack of 5-9 books vertically. Scatter these across your bookshelf to create rhythm. If you want, you could add structure by sorting books by colour or size.
Remember: styling isn’t about perfection. Move things around, trust your eye, and have fun with it. The best shelves look like they came together naturally — even if it took a few re-shuffles to get there. Happy styling!
