Bookends are more than just practical tools—they’re a chance to let your personality shine through your decor. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or just looking for something unique, these bookend ideas are sure to inspire.

1. Animal-Themed Bookends

Bring whimsy to your decor with animal-themed bookends.
Bring whimsy to your decor with animal-themed bookends.

Whether you’re a fan of elephants or giraffes, animal-shaped bookends add a fun and whimsical touch to your shelves. I’ve used these in children’s rooms, and they always bring a smile.

Give these a look:

  • Elephant Bookends: Enhance your shelves with adorable elephant bookends; perfect for children’s rooms or animal lovers.
  • Giraffe Bookends: Discover charming giraffe bookends, bringing whimsical delight to any bookshelf setting.
  • Safari Animal Bookends Set: Add a playful safari touch to your library with this set of animal-themed bookends.

2. Vintage License Plate Bookends

Add a retro flair with vintage license plate bookends.
Add a retro flair with vintage license plate bookends.

For a touch of nostalgia, bend a couple of vintage license plates into an L-shape. These edgy bookends are perfect for car enthusiasts or anyone who loves a bit of retro flair.

These products might be useful:

  • Vintage License Plates: Add authentic nostalgia with vintage license plates, perfect for creating unique and stylish bookends.
  • Metal Bending Tool: Easily shape vintage plates into bookends with this reliable and user-friendly metal bending tool.
  • Decorative Shelf Brackets: Enhance stability and style with decorative shelf brackets, ideal for supporting vintage bookends.

3. DIY Amethyst Crystal Bookends

Add sparkle with amethyst crystal bookends.
Add sparkle with amethyst crystal bookends.

Transform raw amethyst crystals into dazzling bookends for a touch of luxury. They’re a favorite for adding a bit of sparkle and elegance to living rooms.

Useful items to consider:

  • Amethyst Crystal Bookend Set: Enhance your space with vibrant amethyst bookends, adding natural elegance and color.
  • Clear Adhesive Rubber Bumpers: Protect surfaces with clear rubber bumpers, ensuring stability and preventing scratches.
  • Non-Slip Shelf Liner: Keep your bookends secure with non-slip liners, adding grip and stability.

4. Creative Corkboard Bookends

Organize your thoughts with corkboard bookends.
Organize your thoughts with corkboard bookends.

Box-styled bookends with a corkboard surface can hold your books and your notes. They’re great for organizing both your reading and your thoughts.

A few suggestions:

  • Corkboard Bookends: Organize your books and notes seamlessly with versatile corkboard bookends, enhancing your workspace.
  • Desktop Pencil Holder: Keep your pens and pencils tidy with a chic desktop holder, complementing your corkboard bookends.
  • Sticky Notes Set: Capture your thoughts on vibrant sticky notes, perfect for pinning on corkboard bookends.

5. Concrete Colorblock Bookends

Add a pop of color with concrete colorblock bookends.
Add a pop of color with concrete colorblock bookends.

Concrete bookends painted with bold color blocks are both sturdy and visually striking. They add a pop of modern art to any bookshelf.

A few things you might like:

  • Concrete Bookend Set: Enhance your shelf with sturdy, modern concrete bookends featuring bold color blocks.
  • Acrylic Paint Set for Concrete: Customize your concrete bookends with vibrant acrylic paints for a personalized touch.
  • Non-Slip Shelf Liner: Keep your bookends secure with non-slip shelf liners ensuring stability and protection.

6. Concrete Skull Bookends

Make a bold statement with concrete skull bookends.
Make a bold statement with concrete skull bookends.

For a bold statement, concrete skull bookends are sure to turn heads. They’re perfect for adding a bit of eccentricity to a Gothic or modern interior.

Try these:

  • Gothic Candle Holders: Elevate your decor with Gothic candle holders for an eerie and stylish atmosphere.
  • Vintage Leather-Bound Books: Enhance your bookshelf with vintage leather-bound books, perfect for a classic touch.
  • Gothic Wall Tapestry: Add drama to your space with a Gothic wall tapestry, perfect for moody interiors.

7. Guitar Scrap Wood Bookends

Rock on with guitar scrap wood bookends.
Rock on with guitar scrap wood bookends.

For music lovers, cut scrap wood into guitar shapes for unique musical bookends. A perfect gift for the rock star in your life!

A few relevant products:

  • Woodworking Hand Saw Set: Explore precision with this hand saw set—an essential tool for crafting precise guitar shapes.
  • Wood Stain Kit: Enhance your bookends with this wood stain kit, bringing out natural tones and textures.
  • Guitar Shape Templates: Get creative with these guitar shape templates, ideal for accurate and easy wood crafting.

8. DIY Pattern Block Bookends

Add a pop of color with pattern block bookends.
Add a pop of color with pattern block bookends.

Use pattern blocks to create colorful geometric bookends. This is an excellent project for those who want a quick and easy pop of color without heavy tools.

Check if these fit your needs:

  • Colorful Wooden Pattern Blocks: Create vibrant designs by using colorful wooden pattern blocks for your DIY bookends project.
  • Strong Adhesive Glue for Wood: Ensure durability for your bookends by using strong adhesive glue suitable for wood surfaces.
  • Bookend Stand Base: Provide stability to your bookends with a sturdy base stand designed for DIY projects.

9. Repurposed Brick Bookends

Add an industrial touch with repurposed brick bookends.
Add an industrial touch with repurposed brick bookends.

Grab a couple of old bricks, give them a good scrub, and you’ve got yourself some quirky industrial bookends. For a more polished look, consider painting them with a stencil or a wash in a color that complements your decor.

Maybe worth checking out:

  • Acrylic Paint Set: Unleash your creativity with a vibrant acrylic paint set to personalize your brick bookends.
  • Stencil Kit: Add stylish patterns to your brick bookends with an easy-to-use stencil kit.
  • Protective Sealant Spray: Protect your painted brick bookends with a durable sealant spray for long-lasting beauty.

10. Succulent Planter Bookends

Bring nature indoors with succulent planter bookends.
Bring nature indoors with succulent planter bookends.

Combine greenery with functionality by using planters as bookends. These not only keep your books upright but also add a touch of nature to your space.

Possibly helpful picks:

  • Ceramic Succulent Planter Bookends: Elevate your decor with ceramic planters that double as chic bookends for a stylish touch.
  • Concrete Cube Planter Bookends: Add industrial charm with concrete cube planters that securely hold your books in place.
  • Wooden Succulent Planter Bookends: Enhance warmth in your space with wooden planters that serve as functional bookends.

11. Pineapple Bookends

Bring summer vibes with pineapple bookends.
Bring summer vibes with pineapple bookends.

Golden, sprayed pineapples make for the perfect tropical bookends. They’re incredibly easy to make and add a summery touch to any space.

Check these products out:

  • Gold Spray Paint: Transform everyday objects into golden treasures with this shimmering spray. Add elegance to any decor.
  • Decorative Artificial Pineapples: Bring the tropics home with lifelike artificial pineapples. Perfect for crafting unique bookends.
  • Non-slip Bookend Pads: Ensure your bookends stay in place with these handy non-slip pads. Secure and simple to use.

12. Invisible Bookends

Achieve a floating look with invisible bookends.
Achieve a floating look with invisible bookends.

For the ultimate minimalist effect, use invisible bookends that tuck under your books for a floating look. This is a favorite among my clients who prefer a clean, sleek design.

Possibly handy products:

  • Undercover Floating Bookends: Achieve a sleek, floating look with these discreet bookends, perfect for minimalist aesthetics.
  • Hidden Shelf Support Brackets: Create an illusion of floating books with these invisible brackets, ideal for modern decor.
  • Invisible Support Book Organizer: Maximize style and function with an invisible book organizer, enhancing your minimalist design.

13. DIY Wooden Block Bookends

Brighten up your shelves with easy DIY wooden block bookends.
Brighten up your shelves with easy DIY wooden block bookends.

Who knew simple wooden blocks could look so chic? Sand them down, paint them in your favorite colors, and voilà—custom bookends that add a splash of color to any room. A client once used this idea in their child’s room, and it was an instant hit!

Products that could assist:

  • Unfinished Wooden Blocks: Start your project effortlessly with these unfinished wooden blocks—ideal for crafting custom bookends.
  • Acrylic Paint Set: Bring your bookends to life with vibrant acrylic paints in a variety of stunning colors.
  • Wood Sanding Block Kit: Ensure a smooth finish for your bookends with a reliable wood sanding block kit.

14. Colorful Rolling Pin Bookends

Add charm to your kitchen with rolling pin bookends.
Add charm to your kitchen with rolling pin bookends.

Cut old rolling pins in half, paint them in bright colors, and mount them onto a wooden base. These are particularly charming for the kitchen cookbook collection.

Explore these options:

  • Wooden Rolling Pins Set: Find quality wooden rolling pins for your DIY colorful kitchen bookend project now.
  • Acrylic Paint Set: Get vibrant acrylic paint to transform your rolling pin bookends into colorful decor pieces.
  • Wooden Base Stand: Use a sturdy wooden base to mount your rolling pin bookends securely in your kitchen.

15. Concrete Letter Bookends

Add a modern touch with concrete letter bookends.
Add a modern touch with concrete letter bookends.

Concrete letters are both sturdy and stylish, offering a modern minimalist appeal. They’re great for personalizing your space—I’ve seen these used to spell out initials or short words on a shelf.

May just do the trick:

  • Concrete Letter Bookends: Add a modern touch to your shelf with sturdy, stylish concrete letter bookends.
  • Modern Concrete Home Decor: Personalize your space with minimalist concrete decor pieces for a chic and timeless look.
  • Alphabet Decor Letters: Spell out your favorite words or initials with versatile alphabet decor letters.

16. Chic Glass Jar Bookends

Create a beachy vibe with glass jar bookends.
Create a beachy vibe with glass jar bookends.

Fill glass jars with pretty pebbles, marbles, or even seashells for a beachy vibe. These make fantastic bookends and can be customized to match any theme, from coastal to colorful.

A few helpful options:

  • Clear Glass Jars with Lids: Get these versatile glass jars to create stylish, customizable bookends for your shelves.
  • Assorted Decorative Seashells: Enhance your bookends with these lovely seashells for a charming coastal theme.
  • Colorful Glass Marbles: Add a splash of color to your bookends with vibrant glass marbles for a unique touch.