There is much to be said about the “art” of arranging. Whether it is trying to figure out the best way to assemble art and photos on a room wall or simply create an arrangement of books in a bookcase. It is a talent that takes practice and lots of trial and error. To be able to arrange or style the perfect look in your home can be daunting. Over the years I have struggled in my own home to figure out what looks best. How to arrange books so that they have that random look of having lived forever on a shelf. Should they be stacked horizontally or vertically? Or the challenge of what to do with my collection of photographs, so that they look interesting when on a wall. How to best display photos down a staircase? What are the rules and how do designers make their rooms with books and photos look fabulous? I have assembled some of my favorite magazine tear outs that offer inspiration and hopefully some solutions to the task of crafting a great personal gallery wall or bookcase. Enjoy the view and try some of these ideas at home!

A Life with Books…

There is a book I love called Living with Books that is worth exploring. Here the mixture of books and treasures works well. Often a tip to creating a great book shelf is to pick a theme. Like mixing in a collection of artifacts or Chinese vases. Often simplifying and sticking with one motif can really define a great book case and add interest to the room.

Creating a charming ‘mad’ professor look. Mixing in paperbacks with hardcover can work well in the right space. Here the casualness of the room can support the large book cases filled to the brim with books acting like “wallpaper” in the room.

Color from the spine of books can add decor and boldness to a room. Here the balance of artwork hung on the shelves mixes well with books. The collection of mercury glass and silver demonstrates a theme that is subtle but makes a statement.

The messy studio look is one of my favorites. Like a constant work in progress, nothing is too precious. Everything is a tool to be used over and over again.

Artful Arranging…

I love this hallway. All the red frames make for a fabulous look! I would love to take in this visual gallery of photography while walking down this hallway.

In my own home, I often lean art work against the wall. Layering photos or art can be a great way to fit in a collection of pieces when there is not enough wall space for everything.

A fabulous statement of a staircase gallery. It is as if each photo were part of a great play. Some line up in a row, some are slightly off but all working together to create a great drama and scale.

There is much to be learned from the creative process of a child. All things special and important when lined up together. There can be no right or wrong in this case. Creating a collage look of well loved photos and art work can offer the perfect arrangement.

The comfort of order. Sometimes in a room the perfect order is the perfect solution. I love a ‘lined’ up look with matching frames for a graphic look in a room.

The solution to arranging a bookshelf or art on a wall is a personal statement and choice. There are no rules. For some, comfort can be found in a look that is more defined and even for others the random placement and every now and then additions, can create a comfortable lived in look that is soothing. Whatever your ‘look’ remember that it is the one place in your home where you can be creative and bold. Books add character to a room. How you let others discover your treasures depends on how you display them. Have fun and experiment with your home. There is nothing more entertaining than to step into someone’s home and be able to get a feeling of who lives there. It is not about the furniture that makes the room, what makes the room is the expression of you which if you let it can be found on the shelves and walls of your home.

Check out this months ELLE DECOR for more tips and inspirations for arranging or rearranging the art in your own home!