How to style a bookshelf

1. Start with the books. Fill about two thirds of each shelf. Stand some books up and lay some flat.
2. Add one piece to look at. A vase in a strong colour works well.
3. Leave some space empty. Empty space is what makes a shelf look planned.

You do not need something on every shelf. One or two strong pieces look better than ten small ones.

Place the vase at eye level, where you will see it first. Give it clear space on both sides.

The photo shows an Aro vase in Sunlit Terracotta on a bookshelf. Nothing else is close to it, so your eye goes straight to it.

Measure the gap between two shelves first. Then choose a vase that leaves at least 5 cm of space above it.

• 18 cm fits most bookshelves.
• 24 cm suits a tall shelf with a gap of 30 cm or more.
• 34 cm is too tall for most shelves. It suits the top of a low bookcase.

Check the depth too. An 18 cm Noma is 13 cm wide, so it fits a shelf that is 20 cm deep.

Choose a colour that is already in the room. Look at your cushions, a rug or a picture on the wall.

Books come in many colours, so a shelf can look busy. One vase in one solid colour gives the eye a place to rest.

You can read how to add colour to a neutral living room.

One vase is enough for a small bookshelf. On a wide bookshelf, two vases in the same colour work well.

Place them on different shelves, one on the left and one on the right. The matching colour ties the whole bookshelf together.

You can read how to style two vases together.

Your room doesn't need more. It needs the right piece, or the right pair.

Most people choose Noma at 18 cm, which costs A$99. A 24 cm Noma costs A$169.

The vase does not need flowers. A strong shape and colour look finished when the vase is empty. Every WINKOO vase is watertight, so you can add stems when you want them.

Every piece is designed and made in Melbourne in small premium batches. For every size in cm, read the vase size guide.