topic Re: Empty bookcase in Community Chat

Empty bookcase

shy bobcat — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 17:14:13 GMT

I have two beautiful wood with glass front bookcases that I love. The shelves were full of old books that had an attractive vintage look. What began as a small chore of cleaning and clearing out old books has left me with empty bookshelves. My DH wanted to keep some old books from his graduate school years, in the event he decided to read or refer to them. He hasn't looked at these books in fifty years.

My question ... what to put on these empty bookshelves. I have some decorative pieces but don't want these shelves to be just for collectables. Any suggestions?

Re: Empty bookcase

zitawins — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 17:14:39 GMT

BOOKS! interpesed with some special pieces you love.

Re: Empty bookcase

32degrees — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 17:17:17 GMT

Books are the best. Or just get rid of it.

Re: Empty bookcase

rms1954 — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 17:19:32 GMT

LED candles will add some nice soft light. You can lay some books down and set a small one on top or just set them on the shelf.

Re: Empty bookcase

Janey2 — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 17:19:53 GMT

google how to decorate bookcase without books, many pictures and ideas

Re: Empty bookcase

feline groovy — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 17:22:25 GMT

Remove the glass and put plants there.

Re: Empty bookcase

Still Raining — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 17:50:38 GMT

I am lucky to have a glass front cabinet that my great grandmother got for her wedding. Would not part with and keep telling DD to keep her hands off 😂

I moved it to the dining room and keep all my tablecloths, placemats and napkins in it. Make a nice array of color too.

Re: Empty bookcase

ThinkingOutLoud — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 17:51:35 GMT

Genealogy displays? One bookcase for your family, the other one for husband's and each shelf a different branch (ie mom's maternal line, dad's paternal line). You can include pictures, fan charts, mementos, maps, etc. Google for ideas.

Re: Empty bookcase

Laura14 — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 17:53:49 GMT

I was also going to suggest plants. You can leave the doors open and have some of the sprawling varieties, if you like them, drape over.

Intersperse it with anything you do like, books, art, collectibles and you'll have a beautiful showpiece.

Re: Empty bookcase

ThinkingOutLoud — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 17:55:16 GMT

Oh - maybe seasonal/holiday decor?

Re: Empty bookcase

jlkz — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 17:55:24 GMT

Sometimes more space around decorative pieces makes them stand out more.

A few special framed photos, a single large shell, a fat candle surrounded by colorful flat shells, CD's stored horizontally on little cd holders.

Some ideas from our FL shelves:

Re: Empty bookcase

Desertdi — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 18:01:27 GMT

I would start with using the bookcases as "anchor" pieces. Put a desk...or maybe an entertainment center between the cases. Or possibly use them as frames on both sides of a fireplace. If the bookcases are finished on the back, you might use them as a room divider...

Re: Empty bookcase

jackthebear — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 18:03:46 GMT

@shy bobcat wrote:
I have two beautiful wood with glass front bookcases that I love. The shelves were full of old books that had an attractive vintage look. What began as a small chore of cleaning and clearing out old books has left me with empty bookshelves. My DH wanted to keep some old books from his graduate school years, in the event he decided to read or refer to them. He hasn't looked at these books in fifty years.
My question ... what to put on these empty bookshelves. I have some decorative pieces but don't want these shelves to be just for collectables. Any suggestions?

pinterest might have some ideas.

Re: Empty bookcase

KathyM23 — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 18:09:53 GMT

I have pictures of family members and pets in pretty frames in mine.

Re: Empty bookcase

ECBG — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 18:17:09 GMT

I would open up the glass and put in a few books laying down with maybe a candle on top. A little over from that, maybe an interesting rock, shell, or photograph.

Second shelf, maybe two short candlesticks, some interesting bookends holding up about 3 (use an odd number) of books, and than an antique cup and saucer.

You could make one shelf family photos in a variety of frames with a small silk plant.

Re: Empty bookcase

ALRATIBA — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 18:56:17 GMT

In my wildest imagnation .... I can't picture empty bookcases.

I ran out of bookcase space in my apartment about 10 years ago .... and bought a Kindle so I have "space" for more books.

Re: Empty bookcase

kate2357 — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 19:49:40 GMT

@ALRATIBA wrote:
In my wildest imagnation .... I can't picture empty bookcases.

I ran out of bookcase space in my apartment about 10 years ago .... and bought a Kindle so I have "space" for more books.

I'm w/ you @ALRATIBA we have so many books at our house. We inherited this house from my husband's family and they inherited it from their grandfather (house is over 120 years old). Every generation added books to the book shelves and my husband and I added even more to the book collection.

Now, to be honest, my books are primarily novels - nothing too high-minded. I did not keep many of my books from college and grad school. I've now moved to e-books because we just don't have the space to put any books w/o removing some of the existing books. One of my projects this past month was to clean and organize all the books. Oh MY WORD ... next time I'm getting someone to help.

In my personal office, which I have not yet converted to a yoga room, I have books and mementos (art work, pictures, rocks-yes rocks, post cards, bobble heads, etc) interspersed w/ a few of my favorite hardback novels. Bookcases are just shelves ... I say put whatever on them that makes you happy. As someone else posted, you can google what to put on bookshelves and look a the ideas for what might work for your home.

Re: Empty bookcase

DottieBlue — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 21:38:44 GMT

Suggestions:

folded throws or quilts;

baskets;

pretty serving dishes such as a large platter, soup toureen, pitcher, tea set;

seasonal decor;

small accent lamps.

Re: Empty bookcase

Kachina624 — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 23:05:35 GMT

Silk flower or dried arrangement, A small painting leaning against the back. Go to etsy and see what you can find.

Re: Empty bookcase

just bee — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 23:33:24 GMT

Reminds me of the library cases that belonged to my stepfather. He passed away shortly before I graduated from college. My mother moved to a house of her choice and my sister and I moved those cases ourselves.

They were old, in beautiful condition, and incredibly heavy.

My mother filled them with something my stepfather's mother had collected: Unusual vintage teacups.

It was really quite a stunning display.