Last Updated on February 6, 2026 by Vannessa Rhoades, Three Bears Home Staging
Knowing how to style and stage bookshelves when selling your home is a challenge for many homeowners. When they’re overflowing or crammed too tightly (as many of them are), they give the impression that there’s a lack of space. (As a bookworm myself, I know what a huge challenge this can be! But remember, it’s only temporary while your home is on the market.)
When staging a home for sale, bookshelf styling is just one of many details that influence how spacious and polished a room feels.
Tips to Style and Stage Bookshelves Like a Pro
When you’re preparing your home for a successful sale, you want potential buyers to see how much space you have to offer. Use our tips to learn how to style and stage a bookshelf like a pro!
Simplify and Reduce (a.k.a. Declutter Your Shelves)
- Pack away 50% of what is in your bookshelf.
- Remove any paperback books, as these appear less attractive and sophisticated than hardback books.
Pro Tip: Flip book jackets on hardcover books and recover books with the plain white side facing out. Alternatively, you can turn books backward so that the spine is facing the back of the wall and the page edges are facing out. Both methods create more visual uniformity on the shelf.
Make Your Bookcase Attractive: Play With Arrangements
- Vary the stacking of books, both vertical and horizontal.
- Group accessories in odd numbers — usually 3 to 5 pieces
More Bookshelf Staging Ideas
- Push the books to the back of bookshelf to create more space.
- Organize accessories from tallest to shortest, but try to keep books at even heights.
- Add organic elements, like plants, wooden bowls, shells, or accessories with natural textures.
Adding Decor to Your Bookshelves
- Arrange items similar in type or color in a zig-zag pattern between shelves to keep a viewer’s eye moving over the entire bookcase and to provide balance.
- Use one or two large accessories vs. several small accessories to give a more spacious feel and will generally photograph better. Using pieces larger than a grapefruit is a good rule of thumb.
- Remove any family photos or accessories buyers can use to profile you (no references to your hobbies, interests, political or religious preferences). When in doubt, take it out. *Remember, this pertains to staging — if your home isn’t for sale, you can make your shelves as personalized as you want!
- Remove anything resting atop your bookshelves. Otherwise, it adds more height to an already tall piece, disrupting the balance in a room.
- Consider balancing a bookshelf on one side of the room with a tree on the other side of the room.
Accessories and Decor to Style a Bookshelf You’ll Love
Sign up below to access our Library of Freebies, where you can download our specially curated FREE Amazon Staging Favorites e-design board featuring super easy, clickable shopping links to every single item on the board! (You’ll find lots of other free goodies in the library as well!)
FAQs: Styling and Staging Bookshelves for a Home Sale
How do you style a bookshelf for home staging?
To stage a bookshelf, simplify the contents and focus on balance and negative space. Removing excess items helps shelves feel intentional, spacious, and visually calm, qualities buyers respond to during showings.
How many books should you keep on a bookshelf when staging?
About half of the books should be removed when staging a bookshelf. Overfilled shelves make a room feel cramped, while fewer books help buyers perceive more space and storage.
Should books be stacked vertically or horizontally when staging?
A mix of vertical and horizontal stacks works best. Varying the orientation adds visual interest and prevents shelves from looking stiff or overcrowded.
What decor works best on staged bookshelves?
Larger, simple accessories photograph best on staged bookshelves. Natural materials, neutral colors, and items larger than a grapefruit help shelves feel styled without looking cluttered.
Should you remove personal items from bookshelves when selling a home?
Yes, personal items should be removed when staging bookshelves. Family photos and hobby-specific décor can distract buyers and make it harder for them to imagine the home as their own.
How do you make bookshelves look less cluttered?
Reducing the number of items and creating breathing room is key. Pushing books toward the back of shelves, grouping items in odd numbers, and limiting small décor pieces all help shelves feel lighter and more spacious.
Do staged bookshelves really matter when selling a home?
Yes, bookshelves strongly influence how spacious a room feels. Cluttered shelves can make buyers think storage is limited, while styled shelves help rooms feel open and intentional.
Stage Your Bookshelves With Intention, Not Guesswork
Bookshelves are often one of the most overlooked areas when preparing a home for sale, yet they play a big role in how spacious and polished a room feels. When shelves are simplified and styled with intention, buyers are better able to focus on the room itself…not the stuff inside it.
If you want clear, step-by-step guidance on what to edit, what to keep, and how to stage each room without overthinking every decision, our DIY Home Staging Course walks you through the entire process. You’ll learn practical staging rules that help your home photograph better, show better, and feel more appealing to buyers.
Vannessa Rhoades
Vannessa Rhoades is the author of Just Right! Easy DIY Home Staging and the founder of the award-winning firm, Three Bears Home Staging®. She specializes in providing positive, empowering virtual consultations that help homeowners and real estate agents all across the country sell more quickly and for more money.
