Much like the recent trend to take over social media ‘The unexpected red theory’ there has been much talk recently about ‘Bookcase wealth’.

This is largely due to interior designer Marie Flanigan’s step by step guide she recently showed on Instagram. If you want to learn how to style your bookcase like a pro, carry on reading…

Start from scratch

Before you jump to the exciting part of design, Marie says your best bet is to empty the bookshelf and 'start from scratch.' Remove all the books, trinkets and clutter from the shelves and take a look at the space you have to work with. When it comes time to designing your bookshelf your mind will be better set to get creative.

Place visually heavy objects first

'Start by filling in visually heavy objects – that is typically large objects,' says Marie.

If you have large vases or hefty coffee table books as part of your collection, start to place these within the shelves first. Once you achieve a visual balance with the larger items, filling in the gaps with books and accessories will start to seem easier – and the heavy lifting will already be done with.

Add beautiful accents

'If you want a bookshelf that's mostly full of books, start filling in the books and leave room for some smaller accent items,' she says.

Now comes the fun part, says Marie. For the third and final step, she advises that you 'fill it up with all the beautiful accents.' Whether you've collected nostalgic items over time or just want to show off your latest design find, this is the time to let your personality shine.

'Add in your collected items that you found on travels, pictures of your family, and little artifacts that you love and that really bring you joy,' says Marie.

The amount of items all depends on you – for a more maximalist look, bring out everything you've got and balance until you're happy with the result. If you tend to be more of a minimalist – or if the shelves are looking quite full of books already – just one or two items per shelf will do just fine.

With these three stunning yet simple tips, you'll be on your way to achieving true bookshelf wealth in no time. By starting fresh, layering in the large items, and accessorizing with all your favorite things, the shelf you're left with will be an authentic representation of you and your home.