Books

12 Unique Bookends To Give Your Bookshelf Some Extra Personality

There's nothing quite like a beautiful, perfectly organized library, whether you prefer rows of rainbow color-coded bookshelves or walls stacked high with volumes of books. But even if you don't have the library of your dreams (yet), it's easy to add some oomph to your bookshelves with just a couple unique bookends. By adding some interest to your paper-filled shelves, bookends help to make your space look less cluttered, and therefore make you look more cultured.

With the right bookends, you may even feel inclined to (gasp!) downsize your bookshelves — the right way, of course so you can properly display old favorites and make room for new tomes. Your library, whether it's small or grand, is in for a welcome update.

Photo: Etsy.com

by Rebecca Deczynski

Cloud Bookends

When your nose is in a book and your head is in the clouds, there’s no better bookend than this set.

Bookends, $34, Etsy

Dragon Bookends

What better way to display your Song of Ice and Fire books than with a bookend that would make Daenerys jealous?

Bookends, $139, Etsy

Amethyst Geode Bookends

Amethyst gives your bookshelf a pretty jeweled touch.

Bookends, $90, Etsy

Dachshund Bookends

Long reads require a long-bellied dog to keep them upright.

Bookends, $30, Target

Anchor Bookends

Tales of sailors, pirates, and more stay propped up with two sturdy anchors.

Bookends, $25, Target

Elephant Bookends

Jonathan Adler’s cute elephant bookends add a sweet touch to a cozy library.

Bookends, $50, Barnes and Noble

Cat Bookends

Any feline lover will say that these playful bookends are the cat’s meow.

Bookends, $45, Modcloth

Quotation Mark Bookends

You can’t go wrong with a classic. These quotation marks are perfect for any library.

Bookends, $168, Anthropologie

Giraffe Bookends

If your books take you on far-away adventures, you may want to look into some travel-inspired bookends.

Bookends, $65, Uncommon Goods

Bracket Bookends

Gold brackets add an elegant touch to any set of tomes.

Bookends, $59, Etsy

Whale Bookends

Keep your copy of Moby Dick sandwiched properly between two halves of one mighty whale.

Bookends, $55, Modcloth

Petrified Wood Bookends

Give your library the majesty of a national park with these slabs of petrified wood — or the cool vibe of a museum.

Bookends, $128, Anthropologie

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