How to style a bookshelf in a 2BHK without making it look cluttered

An open bookshelf is the easiest way to give a rented flat some personality. The trick is leaving space.

Fill only two-thirds

Keep roughly a third of every shelf empty. Books look curated, not crammed, and you have room to grow.

Mix vertical and horizontal stacks

Stand most books upright, then lay a small stack flat and put a brass diya or a Kondapalli toy on top.

Plants go high, heavy things go low

• Money plants and pothos trail nicely from the top two shelves
• Store heavy albums and boxes on the bottom shelf
• Anchor the rack to the wall if you have kids or pets