Roman politician Marcus Cicero once said: "A home without books is a body without soul" and that sounds about right to us. Why hide your literary greats behind closed doors when displaying your books correctly on a well-styled shelf can add interesting focal points to living rooms, add splashes of vital colour accents or bring a colour scheme together?
Follow our simple rules, with some handy DIY hacks you can sort from B&Q, to ensure your interior style is on point.
Add ornaments and plants
Indoor plants and small succulents can really bring a bookshelf to life and make it a focal point in any room. Opt for varying textures and shades of green, like the above from B&Q, as leafy pot plants will draw any eye towards your bookshelf.
Likewise, make the most of bright planters and decorative pots in your colour scheme to bring it all to life. When it comes to what makes a bookshelf stand out, it's all about the accessories.
Look for muted colours
"Choosing a bookshelf for your room can be a tough choice," says Ricky Vann, In Two Homes interiors blogger. "If you've got a small room, choose a bookshelf which is a similar colour to your walls, this will ensure that beautiful books and statement accessories will be your main focus."
If your colour scheme is neutral, try this cream bookshelf from B&Q and use the bookshelf as an extra space to display photographs, trinkets and other ornaments.
Make use of negative space
Arranging your books by category with space in between is the easiest way to add a calm, balanced atmosphere to your room. It gives your books 'breathing' room and as your eye can see the back of the shelf, it automatically opens up a confined space, too. Think of mixing in some candles and trinkets, like this gold pear pot.
Arrange books by colour
This is a great chance to make your bookshelf go from simple storage space to living room or study hero piece. Start by putting your books into colour piles and think about whether you want them to run from lightest to darkest, then get to work on trialling their arrangement.
Light it up
"Often forgotten about is bookshelf lighting," adds Ricky. "There are many options such as built-in lights or spotlights fixed to the top shining down onto the shelves. Subtle lights dotted across the bookshelf can help add to your indoor ambience. Try using LED string lights in a glass vase for something a bit quirky."
For more bookshelves and home accessories to give your room that interior designer edge, visit B&Q for inspiration
