living room

Photo: iStock/KatarzynaBialasiewicz

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Living Room: Rethink Your Shelves

You might already know that bookshelves can take on a whole new feel when you consider stacking the books in different directions. But design guru Nate Berkus also turns some striking-looking ones so that their covers face out (they're like mini works of art). For books that are stacked horizontally, you can layer on texture and personality by displaying framed photos or interesting objects on top. Creating mini displays within a large bookcase will make the space appear more thought-out.