the art of the bookshelf

I am a voracious reader and have become even more passionate about my book collection during the pandemic. In our future home, I aspire to design a study in which the walls are lined with books and the room is considered a hideaway for reading, writing, or listening to a tranquil podcast. This weekend, we toured a home in the beautiful Cabin John, Maryland area, technically Bethesda. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom in the DMV and we were captivated by the beauty of the neighborhood. I also couldn't get over this room with the floor to ceiling windows and slanted roof. Reading nook? Yoga room? Study? Looking for a room just like this...

When it comes to styling a mid-century bookshelf or designing a room with several bookshelves, there are a few guiding principals that I've gleaned from my internet stalking. Hint: MCM bookshelves do not need to be minimalist:

A larger built in bookcase becomes a centerpiece in the room. This particular bookshelf clusters colors together and integrates pottery, plants, and small sculptures. There's very little blank space and the bookcase feels purposeful but structured.

Mandy Moore's mid-century home in the Hollywood Hills (designed by Sarah Sherman Samuels) is major goals and her bookshelves are seriously cool. In the office, they have some open shelving with the books condensed toward the middle. They also designed a reading nook that looks organized, even with a large book collection.

I love this seamless bench meets bookshelf that contrasts with the windows and outdoors. The bookcase plays up repetition with similar sized books and equidistant shelving. A large plant brings it all together.

This home was featured in Mid Century Home and illustrates the magic of a built-in bookshelf in a MCM home. Just like the windows, this shelving reaches the ceilings. The bookcase is not just for books, the bottom row is slanted and provides a mechanism to display records.

If you are a lover of MCM, you probably have a record player and need some way to display records. I love this multi-dimensional shelving unit from Atomic Ranch with built in lights, a turntable, and a sound-system. The design alternates between stacked and lined, large and small, and looks light and visually appealing.

Melissa Lynch designed and built this multi-use bookshelf, which incorporates lighting, pops of color, framed photos, and plants, without looking cluttered. Arranging by color helps a bookshelf or room feel organized and curated.

Another multi-use bookshelf from The Spruce - books, vinyl, vases, and a bottom row for blankets. This bookshelf is built in and provides depth for actual storage, which creates layers as each section is treated as its own vignette.

I think I'm arguing against the minimalist (?) bookshelf because how can you be minimalist with hundreds of books? However, I do think there is a place for a minimalist bookshelf, maybe a bedroom or sitting room. Nordde_ uses this unique wall shelf to showcase a few books and art, while keeping it simple.