Anyone who is a long-time reader of H&G's celebrity style section will know there's one trend that notable figures keep returning to despite the changing years. Bookshelf wealth first established itself (as a term, at least) last February, and since then, we've loved seeing how celebrities style their nooks and shelves. The discovery of Billie Jean King's bookshelves, however, has brought this trend into 2025.
Firstly, the former world No. 1 tennis pro styled her duck egg blue shelves with the most classic of all accessories and books, but in varying shapes – styling the top shelf with horizontal titles and the lower shelf vertically. The bottom two shelves are notably more eclectic, exhibiting a curated selection of decorative vases, bowls, and stationary (suggesting this example of bookshelf wealth is in her home office instead of her living space). It also feels personal to King without looking cluttered or incohesive.
While there are no strict rules for styling a bookcase (because your shelves should look and work in a way that works for you), it never hurts to draw inspiration from celebrities – especially when they show how to use empty 'negative space' to their advantage, just as Billie Jean King has done. Laura Hammett, the creative director of the eponymous design studio and Founder of luxury homeware brand Laura Hammett Living, agrees.
'My approach to crafting visually interesting, well-balanced shelf displays is to treat them like a gallery space, where skillful use of negative space is just as important as what you’re putting on display. The trick to perfectly harmonious bookshelves is to not overcrowd them,' Hammett says.
Billie Jean King's shelves follow an inverted pyramid formula (with books at the top and sparser areas at the bottom), but flipping this formula on its head leads to an equally cohesive space.
'Look at the shelving area you’re working with like a pyramid, with one large statement piece in the top-center position to draw the eye up, before moving down to create width with smaller items like photo frames and candles at eye level,' Hammett explains.
'At the lower levels, spread across the whole width of the bottom shelves with bold, anchoring items like books, storage boxes, or sculptural pieces. This pyramid method creates visual harmony and prevents the display from feeling top-heavy or cluttered.' For some BJK-inspired accessories, we love these pieces below. They'll look just as perfect on your bookshelves as on hers.
This bowl is more than decorative; it tells a story. Designed by Industria Vetraria Valdarnese, the glassmaker label dates back to 1952 and still operates in Italy. It's a product of one of the leading producers of handcrafted blown glass in Europe – and is a stunning piece that will elevate any bookshelf, table, or console.
Reflecting designs found in nature, these glass bowls work in many design styles, whether you're working with a blue-gray palette like Billie Jean King, or a more neutral space. Their unique shape makes an instant focal point, while brining a pop of vibrancy to a home office.
The power of a simple purple vase is not lost on Billie Jean King. We spotted a sleek glass piece on one of her bookshelves, and this alternative is just as elegant. It looks beautiful without a flower, but of course, adding some greenary will only enhance its good looks even further.
'Don't be afraid to leave some empty negative space on your shelves to allow the viewer to not be visually overwhelmed. Throughout your design process, frequently step back and look at the shelves from a few different angles to ensure you are achieving a nice balance. And remember, what’s important is that you love everything on display,' Hammett adds.
'This should be an area that you enjoy sitting back and looking at time and time again, so don't be afraid to experiment and let your creativity guide you.'
