Symmetry and a serene gray palette are key to the room's casual elegance.

Keep It Classic Designer Emily Henderson gives these bookshelves a classic English-library texture by grouping equally bound publications and mixing in a few classic cigar boxes and vintage finds, such as a rotary dial telephone, brass eagle bookends and a bronze horse. An antique library ladder, leaned against the bookcase, isn't practical but adds to the appearance.

Sum Up the Room's Style Designer Ana Donohue selects the less-is-more choice when decorating the mantel in this midcentury-modern-meets-global living room. A set of walnut ceramic horses reflects the area's global theme while the convex sunburst mirror adds just the right mod touch.

Add Functionality Symmetry and a serene gray palette are key to the room's casual elegance. Designer Joel Snayd framed at the area over the mantel to home a flat-screen TV; built-ins flanking the fireplace complete the traditional look and Supply convenient storage and display space.

Create a Gallery Wall This living area's low mantel and higher ceiling produce a broad expanse of empty wall space perfect for showing designer Emily Henderson's eclectic mix of favorite items. Her casual approach to group the frames (no pesky measuring required) makes it easy to rearrange on a whim.

Maintain Scale in Mind Designer Sarah Richardson makes a statement with a huge antique crest hung over the mantel in her vaulted living room. Originally the logo for and portion of Scotiabank's structure, the crest reads "Power mounting service . Integrity, Service." The classic's chipped paint matches the room's colour palette perfectly while its size is just right to visually fill out the room.

Make a Bookcase Pop With Paper The sunny morning room in this D.C. design house gets high marks for designer Marika Meyer's use of subtle texture in the draperies, carpet, furniture and bookcase, where a chocolate-and-cream trellis wallpaper draws your attention to the items on screen.

Celebrate the Seasons In designer Layla Palmer's home, the living room mantel is the first thing guests see upon entering. So, she puts it to good use by swapping out components to reflect the exact time of year. Layla fills the stoneware pitchers with seasonal greenery or new flowers and updates the chalkboard with preferred messages and quotes.

Consider the Box When owning a bookshelf, don't restrict your selection to the shelves. Frames and items suspended so that they overlap add sculptural interest and permit you to display large products. Design by Emily Henderson

Be Slightly Off Center Have a cue from designer Sarah Richardson and provide a traditional living room upgraded style with frames hung asymmetrically above the fireplace. Tall branches within an Oriental vase to the left of the frames fill the void and create equilibrium.

Coordinate With Paint Painting a bookcase's inside to coordinate with the room decor adds just the ideal pop of colour. For a cohesive look, pull a color from nearby upholstery, pillows or the carpet. Design by Lynn Morgan

Produce a Layered Effect A salvaged iron gate makes a textural backdrop for this rustic vignette. Stacks of vintage books, black-and-white photos and a tall glass vase filled with branches finish the appearance. Overlapping frames constantly look great on a mantel, particularly when they have various orientations -- vertical and horizontal. Pairs of things are a sure bet, too, like the small vases of roses and lanterns utilized here.

Vary Scale and Height As opposed to simply lineup items on a bookshelf (boring!) , create tiny groupings that combine similar items in different sizes, colours and textures. Use stacks of novels, as designer Emily Henderson did here, to elevate your favorite collectibles and add color.

Add a Mirror Hanging a mirror over the mantel is a go-to look that always works. Here, designer Shirry Dolgin selected a nickel sunburst frame for a modern look. Designer Erinn Valencich suggests: "Any fabulous frame can be turned into a mirror from the regional glass shop or framer. For a softer look, ask if they can give the mirror an antiqued or mercury-glass finish."

Honor Your Home's Location In the event guests of designer Sarah Richardson's summer home weren't feeling the home's waterfront vibe, the huge ship design on the mantel should set them directly. Although this is a trick that designers use most often for vacation homes, it's worth trying out in almost any home. Just select an item that reflects your area's history, topography (mountainous, coastal or desert) or Significant industry (for instance, textiles, agriculture or steel) and proudly put it on display.

Put Your Passions on Screen Essentially, the mantel is merely a shelf -- and, most frequently, the very visible spot in your living room, making it prime real estate for displaying your pursuits. Photophiles will adore this mantel, which showcases the owner's collection of early box cameras, graphic prints, and books on photography and modern art.

Less Is More Designer David Bromstad added an unexpected touch to the otherwise traditional white bookcase by framing the shelves using large pieces of weathered wood suspended on metal rods. The wood's natural shape and smooth texture adds a sculptural element while drawing attention to the bookcases themselves.

Go Back to Nature Fireplaces out that project of the wall are best for flanking with a bookcase, a cabinet or equally, as designer Anisa Darnell has here. She kept their peaks, color and basic framework exactly the same for a consistent look. To draw attention to the fireplace, she covered the overmantel in reclaimed barn wood and Extra exterior lanterns rather than inside sconces.

Mix It Up Forget the Dewey Decimal System; designer Courtney Novogratz let color function as direct when arranging this bookcase. By also varying the book heights and alternating between vertical and flat positioning, she created a Feeling of rhythm.

Color-Code It Show low bookshelves some layout love by using a repetitive color strategy -- note how well the vintage zinc crates pair with the brushed steel table lamp -- and varying the scale of things on display. Hang shelves over to make a small bookcase appear taller. Design by Anisa Darnell