Bookcases are a often overlooked place to create beautiful and interesting arrangements in addition to housing your favorite books.  With thoughtful planning and a creative eye, your bookcases can stand out as a focal point in your room, rather than just a background storage feature.  Use the tips below to create bookcases that will look fabulous in any room.

• Get creative in arranging your books.  Line them up vertically, horizontally, laying flat against the back of the bookcase, etc.  The books can become sculptural pieces when placed in contrasting arrangements.  Vary the heights on a single shelf.

• Incorporate collections that you may not have found a home for  yet, but make sure that they make sense.  A variety of substantially sized objects in interesting textures and materials (look for shine, pattern, feel) will draw attention without looking scattered or disjointed.

• Paint the back or your bookcases or cover with wallpaper.  Look for a shade that is darker or substantially brighter than your bookcase frame.  Objects will pop against the colored background.

• Light your bookcases in the same way that you would highlight a painting or sitting area in your home. Use a small accent lamp if possible or install downlighting or sconces.  Illuminating your bookshelves will add drama and capture the eye.

• Make sure to spread out your books.  You don’t want to run out of actual books after the first couple shelves.  Bookcases look best when each shelf is home to a variety of both books and collections.

• Small paintings, lamps, and mirrors can look lovely if you are looking for a filler object on an empty shelf.  Also use them as bookends.  Use vases, small sculptural pieces, and frames to create visually interesting look.

With a little planning and creativity, your bookcases will no longer appear to be a disorganized jumble of books but will stand out as one of the highlights of your home.

Extravagant Closets are one of those interior spaces that we can never get enough of. Endless space for expensive shoes, shiny marble floors, and flattering lighting.  If only we could all live like movie stars.

Photo: The Nanny Diaries

Photo: Sex and the City The Movie

Though we may not all be so lucky as to have closets the size of a bedroom or enough shoes to fill an entire wall full, there are ways to make your closet so organized and pretty, that getting dressed will be simple indulgence every single day.

Photo: Real Simple

Take advantage of all of the organizational tools that are available at discount stores like Target.  Matching plastic hangers, clear shoe boxes, and hanging sweater organizers are all useful and attractive ways to give your closet a dose of organization.

Photo: Real Simple

Use pegboards to organize everything from belts to jewelry to scarves to any accessory that can hang.

Photo: Real Simple

Though shoe racks are functional and a great option for closet organization, a graduated shoe rack such as this gives a look of luxury and display to your prettiest shoes.

Photo: Real Simple

Adding a mirror and a place to sit can take a simple walk in closet from a normal space to a lovely dressing area.

Photo: Coastal Living

A chandelier adds a touch of whimsy and character to your walk in closet.  Even if your closet is small, a beautiful piece like this can make a huge impact.

Photo: Traditional Home

Don’t limit your metallics to cameo appearances on lamps or coffee tables.  Entire rooms draped in shades of silver, gold, and shiny grays make a dramatic, glamorous statement.  Mix all of these colors together to create a monochromatic metallic effect.  Create interest with tone on tone prints and textures.  Shimmer and sheen take the center stage in these fabulous rooms.

Photo: Phoebe Howard

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: Traditional Home

Photo: Phoebe Howard

When you are dealing with a small room such as a bathroom, the details are instrumental in creating the aesthetic of the room.  A pop of color, an interesting object, an unexpected piece can set the mood and bring style into a small space.  In the bathrooms below, we see several different methods of pulling a room together in the details.

Photo: Coastal Living

This room is filled to the brim with fabulous details.  From a bold wallpaper to an ornate mirror to bright splashes of yellow, this room is not boring in the least.  The details create a room that is cheerful, exciting, and youthful.

Photo: Martha Stewart Living

A small detail such as  a seashell soap dish set against whites and pastels creates an ethereal, ocean inspired look with minimal effort.

Photo: Martha Stewart Living

Instead of a typical towel rack, try a ladder.  This detail creates a country atmosphere, and when paired with a woven basket that houses hand towels, the look is complete.  The white accented with turquoise in the towels and in an unexpected spot such as the basket is a fresh look.

Photo: Southern Living

Don’t forget that the sink can be a spot for style!  This copper sink is a striking look and served as inspiration for the rest of the bathroom, from the walls to the mat to the towels and shower curtain.

When many of us think of pink rooms, we think of a ballerina pink for little girls or a hot fuchsia in a tween’s bedroom.  Pink does not have to be childish at all!  In the spirit of the month, we are going to look at pink rooms that are not only grown up, but stylish as well.  To ease into pink, opt for pale shades that can pass as neutrals.   Grays, tans, and whites offset the sweetness of a pink and give it a sophisticated side.  You can also make your pale pink look glamorous with gold accents and shiny mirrors or crystal lamps.  With a bold pink, pair it with black and a little animal print to create an edgy look or contrast it against crisp white.  Use the pictures below as inspiration to incorporate pink and its spirit of youth and vibrancy into your home this February.

Photo: Martha Stewart Living

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: Martha Stewart Living

Photo: Ciao Interiors

Photo: Jonathan Adler

The first impression that your home makes upon guests is in the entryway, so it’s important to make a statement.    The following tips will help you turn your foyer into a room which gets attention rather than just gets passed through.

1. Paint your entryway a bold color.  Grab your guests attention the minute they walk in.

Photo: House Beautiful

2. Create an artwork arrangement.  You can incorporate pieces that may not have been worked into your main rooms.  Use unexpected pieces.

Photo: House Beautiful

3. Instead of a runner which can get dirty easily, try a painted floor.  The  paint will age gracefully with wear.

Photo: House Beautiful

4. Add a mirror.  The mirror will reflect light and make the area seem bigger.  This is a great tip for small entryways.

Photo: Real Simple

5. If there is space, create a small sitting nook with a comfy chair and small table.  This makes the area seem more like a room rather than just a holding area.

Photo: House Beautiful

These tips will help you transform your entryway into a place where you and your guests will want to linger.  Your home will make a fabulous first impression upon everyone who enters.