In recent years, bookshelves have become a site of self-expression. From objets d'art to uniquely shaped candles and earthen pottery, open shelves have come to present who we are to our guests, but sometimes, the plot is being lost. For a reminder of how impactful traditional bookshelves can still look, we turn to an archival image of David Attenborough's living room from 1955.
The black and white pictures show Sir Attenborough with his family, spending time together in front of gorgeously styled bookshelves. Rather than today's 'personal museum' approach, they are filled to the brim with carefully organized books. The antique-style spines, coordinated heights, and color-sorted arrangement are absolutely gorgeous. They are a reminder that with only a small library and a tiny vase, you can elevate any living space.
To explore this idea, let's take a look at Sir David Attenborough's living room. Then, the Homes & Gardens team has curated an edit of the products we would use to recreate his look. We also spoke with interior designers to get to the bottom of how to create your own simple yet impactful bookshelf design.
Recreate David's Look at Home
Though the best book collections are cobbled together over years of searching, you don't always have time for that. These prettily arranged tomes are ideal for quickly updating your bookshelves.
I can't say enough about IKEA's billy bookshelf systems. They are super versatile, built for any space where you want to add a touch of extra storage. The dark wood is absolutely gorgeous.
If you prefer a more antiqued look, this lot of 19th century hardbound books is a great choice for accenting your bookshelves. Positioned next to one another, they provide an instant sense of history.
Just like the one on Sir David Attenborough's shelves, the Beatrix Vase celebrates the beauty of handcrafted artistry with a vintage-inspired design. Its natural flowing glaze reveals the raw ceramic beneath, giving each piece a unique, one-of-a-kind character.
This chair offers a simple, comfortable silhouette with a high back and graceful goose-neck arms, inspired by David's timeless library chair. Its jacquard diamond blue upholstery and solid hardwood construction create a refined piece designed for long-lasting use in the home.
In the corner of the photo, you can spot that Sir David Attenborough uses black frames to create an impact with the art on his wall. With a thin, metal frame, this is the ideal piece for creating a sleek and modern gallery wall. Available in a range of different sizes, this frame can fit a range of spaces.
So, what's the best way to achieve bookshelf styling as chic as Sir David Attenborough's look, Bo Hellberg, CMO at Scandinavian design icon String Furniture advises: 'Treat your shelf like a canvas, and create a work of art on top of it with artfully styled ‘clutter.’ Not only is it fun to create your own, organic, and changing artwork from your own knick-knacks, but it is a great way to save space. When you lift things off the floor and use shelving as a storage solution, you create the illusion of a larger space.'
Simple ideas like David Attenborough's are preferable because they can make your living room layout feel larger. Bo explains: 'Sleek wall shelving provides you with plenty of flexibility both practically and aesthetically, meaning you can achieve a completely new look whenever you like. There is an age-old doctrine of using light colours on walls to make your home look bigger. This is true, and your shelves need not detract from this. Using minimal materials, string ensures your walls aren’t totally covered.'
For a versatile living room shelf, opt for a modular option that can be rearranged based on your current preference to either create a horizontal shelf like David's or a more vertical style. Bo recommends: 'Modular shelves are ideal for any room size or type, whether it's a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, home office, or even a wardrobe. It's great to be able to change the design once in a while.'
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