30 Bookshelves With Plants That Look Amazing

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Bookshelves are more than just functional storage spaces; you can get creative and decorate them! One of the most beautiful and refreshing ways to enhance the look of your shelves is by surrounding them with plants.

In this article, we showcase 30 bookshelves that seamlessly blend with greenery, creating stunning displays that breathe life into any room.

Bookshelves With Small Trees And Trailing Plants

INSTAGRAM @pageturnersandplants

First up is this adorable design with two white bookshelves, colorful throw pillows, and a makeshift stand to prop up a small tree.

This would be great for a bedroom with limited space. A small tree also makes the area livelier without adding too many plants.

Indoor trailing plants also sprinkle a dramatic effect on the interior. They just soften up the design quite nicely.

INSTAGRAM @lxhome_decor

Moving on to the living area, we have this love glass bookcase framed by trailing plants and little trees too.

To make everything more cohesive, we can also see elements made of natural material distributed around the space.

Throw in a vibrant rug for a pop of color or maybe add some flowers into the design to make it more cheerful.

Related Article: 22 Living Rooms With Trees That Look Amazing

Under-The-Stairs Storage And Reading Nook

INSTAGRAM @victoriamagazine

Let’s take it up a notch with this innovative option. It features under-the-stairs bookshelves with several storage space ideas.

You also get a nifty reading nook or seating area that is sandwiched between built-in bookshelves and a foundation that can double as storage. 

To elevate this design even more, I recommend installing downlights on each compartment to help highlight its contents.

White Minimalist Divider

INSTAGRAM @argos

You can also use a standalone structure to both store your books and household items while separating two different areas of your home.

When you want to define your space without making major renovations, this is the hack for you! Just use an organizer as storage and a divider.

The open design can also display and accommodate small houseplants and succulents as decor.

Contemporary Design

INSTAGRAM @sometimes_i_read_books

Many houses have this kind of setup so here’s what you can do with the layout: line the shelves with trailing and small plants and furnish the rest of the space with natural material.

Use warm and vibrant hues in the furniture and decor to counter the plain white scheme and complement the green from the plants.

I suggest getting a lamp in a bright and spunky shade to add more pops of color into this room.

INSTAGRAM @gravellanedesign

For a home office, you could consider this design. The bookshelf can also be a professional backdrop for your work meetings.

Aside from the plant embellishments, this design also uses cool vintage lighting fixtures to decorate and illuminate the room.

I love how there’s already a ladder set in place. You won’t have too much trouble reaching books on the higher end of the shelves.

INSTAGRAM @lialovisolo

Here’s another bookshelf with a ladder, this time in a contemporary living room with plants.

The modern abode maintains a balance between simplicity and fun. It features a tall white bookshelf with a TV compartment and the rest of the space is covered in striking colors and patterns.

I think the LED fireplace is a nice touch. It adds a sense of coziness to the aesthetic.

INSTAGRAM @lialovisoloThis example also contains a tall, sleek, white bookshelf. Additionally, there’s a spacious table for dining, gathering, and holding meetings.

To make sure the ambiance isn’t too serious, there’s a ton of plants across the room and an intriguing overhead lamp.

Don’t forget to put some thought into the other elements of the room as well. The plants can only do so much if everything else isn’t visually appealing.

Small Wooden Bookshelf

INSTAGRAM @books.places.bookstores

In this personalized corner, a lot of character is shining through this design with the artwork and homey display.

You don’t any fancy or bulky structures to make your bookshelf design amazing. Work with what you have and make the space yours!

With smaller storage units, go for smaller plants too. It’ll help save space and prevent the outcome from being too overwhelming.

Bright Blue Motif

INSTAGRAM @flawsomehome

Green doesn’t have to be the only pop of color in your space. Use neons, and other bright and vibrant colors for your interior design.

This bright blue living room is definitely an eye-catching spectacle. It also uses different shades of pink to add variety to the aesthetic.

When coming up with a color scheme, it’s best to consider complementary shades and build your design around that palette.

Simple Wood Rack

INSTAGRAM @abitbooked

Nothing beats a warm cup of joe and a good book. So, set up your bookshelf beside your home coffee station.

You can easily grab a book to read after you make your coffee. Not to mention the handy mug storage and coffee table you have on the side.

Try to squeeze in a few small plants on the coffee counter too! These can be flowers in a vase or a couple of succulents.

For a quaint and rustic feel, go for a ladder-style wooden rack. These are usually used for plants anyway, but it wouldn’t hurt to place a few books on them too!

These structures are often space-efficient, so you can place them in the smaller spaces of your home.

I think using some of the plants as bookends is such a cute and clever idea!

INSTAGRAM @truemanstreasures

You can opt for a built-in structure for something more permanent too. Once you’re sure of where you want to place your bookshelf, create a comfy little compartment like this!

The frame matches the rest of the interior while the wooden shelves stand out. The slight contrast is great for defining the space.

I adore how this design looks so traditional and rustic. I also love how they used different plants for a diverse aesthetic.

Customized Bunk Bed With Storage

INSTAGRAM @blakesldn

If you’re looking for a functional and recreational design, check out this imaginative bunk bed layout.

You get a space-optimized bed arrangement that extends into a dynamic workspace with built-in bookshelves with plants on display. 

If two people are going to be occupying this room, I recommend that you have the desk be long enough to accommodate one more person.

Get inspiration from my article on home office ideas with two desks.

Zen Living Room Design

INSTAGRAM @easyplant

Plants can also affect the energy and atmosphere of the room, so why not recreate this Zen design for a relaxing living area?

The bookshelves are tucked in the corner for a neat and subtle appearance, and the plants effectively separate and define the space.

All you have to do now is light the incense, sit back, relax, enjoy the aroma, and read a good book.

Minimalist Desk Space

You’d want to keep your home office nice and tidy, so a minimalist theme is the way to go.

Just use light wood and a simple layout, then voila! You’ll end up with a chic and elegant desk space like this one.

Make sure the plants you use aren’t too rowdy, too. So, stray away from really bushy and messy variations. If you decide to place trailing plants, they might need a bit of maintenance so they won’t interfere with your workspace.

INSTAGRAM @myjibcode

For a more uniform look, go monochrome with white walls and shelves. For optimal productivity, the attached desk structure also has sleek storage compartments.

Having plants around will prove to be beneficial in creating a conducive environment for working. The amount of natural light in this design is noteworthy too!

I recommend installing backlights on the shelves and around the desk so you can have focused lighting in your workspace.

Traditional White Shelves

Classic homes deserve a classic interior design. So, this white traditional option will fit right in your timeless home.

The different-sized compartments give the shelves a more interesting look and provide options for your storage needs.

Of course, get a big, comfy chair you can snuggle up so you can have your own reading corner.

In this version, the design is utilized in the work area, with built-in white shelves along the wall and a wooden desk in the middle of it.

This bookshelf design is ideal for a place of productivity since it’s not too distracting and it does the job. 

I suggest replacing the chair with a swivel one so you can move across the room with ease.

Compact Reading Nook

Working with windows can be tricky but the right approach can transform your space into a leisurely one.

Instead of leaving this area bare, make a cozy reading nook! Just implement seating and mount some bookshelves on the wall. Add some decor too!

This is also a great placement for plants since they’ll receive a ton of sunlight from the window.

INSTAGRAM @aguilar_design_studio_

Do it for your kid’s bedroom window too! This will help designate different areas of their space for varied purposes.

If there’s already a protrusion, all you have to do is add cushions! You can also incorporate storage in its base.

Then, place a few fun trinkets and decor on the shelves to make the design more endearing for your child.

Read Also: 15 Cozy Reading Nooks In Small Spaces You’ll Love

Mounted Hexagonal Compartments

Maybe you want a design that’s out-of-the-box. Well, in this case, the box is hexagonal! You don’t have to stick to the standard layout to store your books and plants.

Customize your shelves and don’t be afraid to play around with their shapes and arrangement to get a fun design.

What I appreciate about this idea is that it really allows each plant or item to shine in its own little container.

Headboard Bookshelves

Headboards occupy a ton of space, so we better find ways to maximize this area of our bedroom.

One brilliant way of doing so is by using the said space for additional storage. Install some bookshelves above your bed and they can even eliminate the need for a nightstand.

Ensure that they are mounted on properly. Reinforce them if you have to, to make sure they won’t fall.

Here’s a more streamlined version that seamlessly blends storage into a headboard concept.

The design isn’t the only notable aspect of this feature. Take a look at the incorporated lighting! It surely elevates the look.

For a cleaner appearance, you can opt for concealed storage as well. Or you can do what this design did and combine both open and closed storage in the headboard area.

Succulent Display

The kind of plants you keep in your home will definitely impact your routine. So, if you’re always busy and can’t be on top of plant care but still want an earthy aesthetic — use succulents instead!

While they don’t need too much upkeep, storing them separately from your built-in bookshelves will allow them to be the highlight of the room.

You can display them on a separate table or console. Maybe add a few fake flowers to spruce things up.

Living Room With Fireplace

This suburban home boasts a toasty feature in the middle of the living room. The sleek fireplace is framed by white bookshelves and can stand as a display for some of your houseplants.

Who wouldn’t love being nose-deep in a book next to a warm fire? Consider placing a rug underneath the chair so your feet can be comfy too.

For a safer alternative, you can also get an electric fireplace instead.

Full Wall Bookshelves

INSTAGRAM @lialovisolo

This farmhouse-inspired design with wooden ceilings and full-wall bookshelves are more than enough to cater to your storage and display needs.

Like the last design, this one also features a stunning fireplace. Next to it is a widescreen TV so you can choose what to view and when.

The fireplace, when not in use, can house your plants and decor so you can use it all-year round.

Bookshelf For Narrow Entryway

INSTAGRAM @kirsten.diane

You might think adding storage to narrow spaces will only make them tighter — not this design!

By strategically placing the shelves on the side, where there is ample room and the panels barely take up additional space, you can implement storage in your entryway.

Decorate around the space with rugs and focus more on the higher areas so you have more room to move along the path.

Stacked Wooden Crates

INSTAGRAM @beautynthebook

It’s time to get resourceful and crafty with this design! Have any wooden crates lying around? Bring them back to life by turning them into your new bookshelf.

There are so many ways you can go about this. You can simply refurbish and stack them according to your preference or reinforce them with nails or wood glue for a sturdier structure.

Not only is it clever, but it gives your interior a rustic farmhouse feel too.

INSTAGRAM @lozi_designs

Finally, we present this cozy corner as the last bookshelf design on this list. It contains a wooden feat that you can make yourself or get customized to fit your space to a tee.

The wood also has a raw finish for an inviting aesthetic. 

Lining the shelves with trailing plants and vines is a creative way of decorating with plants! Intertwine fairy lights to make it more magical.