Blog

Mar 26, 2025

Claudia Schiffer's bookshelves offer a twist on a huge trend | Homes and Gardens

The model's dark wood bookshelves are thoughtfully filled, in a move designers recommend for its tidiness and timeless appeal When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate

The model's dark wood bookshelves are thoughtfully filled, in a move designers recommend for its tidiness and timeless appeal

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

A well-styled bookshelf is a focal point of any space. Whether you have built-in wood shelves or white floating shelves, thoughtfully accessorizing these storage units is a fantastic way to add personality to a living room or den. This ideology was all the rage last year (with the emergence of the bookshelf wealth trend), but Claudia Schiffer has kept the look alive – with a twist.

The model recently shared her 'favorite places to read' around her house, and we couldn't help but notice her chic cubby-inspired layout in the backdrop. Her wooden shelves are built as neat rows, with wide units that allow for books to be arranged both horizontally and vertically. Accessories are also tastefully placed throughout, giving us some bookshelf ideas.

A post shared by Claudia Schiffer (@claudiaschiffer)

A photo posted by on

Vertical

Aim high with this sleek, vertical bookshelf, which allows for excellent color grouping thanks to its platformed shelves.

Wood

This rustic bookshelf is perfect for housing neutral-toned books, as well as colorful spines.

Metal and wood

Truly the best of booth worlds, this open shelving unit is made of metal and wood for a rustic-meets-modern look.

According to experts, bookshelf styling is an individual practice; however, there are some general tips and tricks you can implement into a cubby-style shelving unit like Claudia's.

'Styling a bookcase comes down to your own personal style,' says Bo Hellberg, CMO at String Furniture. 'With open shelving, some people prefer a mix of different items, whereas others prefer a more uniform style where everything matches perfectly. Both work well on open shelving as they provide a neutral base for people to play with. Experiment with your style, and don’t overwhelm the shelves. At String, we celebrate individual journeys, and we believe that our shelves should be a reflection of our personalities and exhibit the objects that we have collected throughout our lives.'

Allowing items to breathe is definitely something Claudia does well, with space around books and between objects, giving the shelves a gallery-like feel.

Bo says that he is intentional with decorating his own shelves, and suggests others do the same through organizing your bookshelf by color or matching materials. 'When it comes to styling my own shelves, I have found that selecting just a few beautiful pieces to display can make the most decorative impact and be the most sentimental,' he explains. 'Coordinating different colors on your shelves is another simple and effortless way of making these pieces stand out and decoratively tie a room together. Many forget that storage can be part of the interior design scheme and by displaying and styling our objects on our bookshelves, we can merge function with decoration. Whether you’re looking for a smaller, more subtle solution or a larger, open plan combination, String’s range of storage configurations gives you endless possibilities so that you can curate your own style wherever you are.'

We can see that white is a prevalent color in Claudia's shelves, which serves in contrast to the dark wood base.

Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.

Whether you attempt color coordination or mix and match books and accessories, cubby-style shelves are fantastic options for those who want to create a storage unit that is as much about the organization as it is the optimal display.

Hannah is Homes & Gardens’ News Editor, with a focus on celebrity style and entertainment content. She got her start in media as a digital editorial assistant at ELLE Canada, and has since written about lifestyle and culture for publications such as Nylon and i-D.

Her love of film is rivaled only by one with a great soundtrack, and she hopes to someday decorate a Nancy Meyers-worthy kitchen.

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Don't risk unnecessary damage and expensive repairs

By Ottilie BlackhallPublished 24 March 25

Coming to NBC on April 28, Yes, Chef! is hosted by Martha Stewart and José Andrés – it's a must-see series this spring

By Hannah ZieglerPublished 24 March 25

The staircase in the supermodel's entryway borrows an unusual material from the fashion world, capitalizing on the ever-popular organic modern trend

By Hannah ZieglerPublished 7 March 25

The supermodel's bedtime routine is just as beautiful as it is relaxing – it includes a Diptyque candle favored by celebrities and perfumers

By Sophie EdwardsPublished 6 February 25

The model's breakfast nook is not only chic but incredibly functional – with bench seating allowing for communal dining in an otherwise unused area

By Hannah ZieglerPublished 8 January 25

Whether you opt for a leaf-shaped platter or a deliciously scented candle, fall decor is a time to experiment with warm colors and soft textures

By Hannah ZieglerPublished 21 October 24