The Design Within Reach Story bookcase is one of those pieces that looks stunning when empty but comes to life when styled correctly. After living with mine for a few weeks, I finally took the time to curate what goes on those zigzagging shelves.
The result is a complete transformation of my space. What was once a forgotten, empty corner next to my console TV is now the focal point of the entire room.
Here’s how I styled it, what I learned, and why this vertical beauty has become my favorite piece of furniture.
The Transformation: From Empty to Everything
An empty bookcase, no matter how beautifully designed, is just potential. It’s like a blank canvas that’s both intimidating and exciting.
The Story bookcase sat in my corner for a few weeks while I gathered pieces, moved things around, and figured out what I actually wanted to say with this vertical real estate.
What struck me first after styling it was how much taller it made my room feel. That zigzag spine draws your eye straight up, and now with objects placed on those alternating shelves, there’s this wonderful rhythm that makes the whole corner feel intentional and dynamic.
Before, this was just dead space in my living room. Now, it’s the first thing people comment on when they walk in.
What’s Living on My Shelves
Here’s what made the cut, from top to bottom across all eleven shelves:
A mushroom lamp kicks things off—functional lighting that doubles as a sculptural moment. It sets the tone: everything on this bookcase needs to earn its place by being both beautiful and interesting.
The multicolored decorative house is one of those pieces that makes people lean in for a closer look. There’s something about miniature architecture that feels both playful and sophisticated. Just below it, my Handskuld wooden articulated posable hand adds that touch of the unexpected (and yes, it occasionally holds my rings).
This is where personality really comes into play. The Umbra Tipsy bottle opener—because why not have something functional mixed in? Then comes the Normann Copenhagen decorative bird in black, adding a sleek contrast. And here’s the real showstopper: my vintage-style Twemco retro flip clock in that stunning red casing. That pop of color is everything.
My Dieter Rams book sits right where I can grab it for inspiration. This is the sweet spot—right at eye level when I’m sitting on my bed, which means these are the pieces I interact with most.
Things get cheerful down here with my Hoptimist Classic Bumble figurines—the small white one and the bigger beige one. These little guys never fail to make me smile.
A small vase adds a subtle organic element, and then we finish strong with my HAY book and the Eames monograph at the bottom. Having my design books within arm’s reach from bed? Perfect for those late-night browsing sessions.
How It Changed the Room
Here’s what I wasn’t expecting: this bookcase didn’t just fill a corner—it created a whole vibe shift.
My room has those beautiful textured window shades that filter light throughout the day, and the way that soft, diffused light hits the white shelves creates these subtle shadows that change as the day goes on. It’s like having a living sculpture that looks different at 8 a.m. than it does at 8 p.m.
The vertical nature of the piece also solved a big small-space problem: I needed storage and display without eating up floor space. The Story bookcase’s footprint is tiny—seriously, look at that base, but it gives me eleven shelves to work with. That’s a lot of personality in a compact package.
And can we talk about how it plays with the other elements in the room? I’ve got those stacked white chairs (also very design-forward), the geometric pillow on my sofa, and now this sculptural bookcase tying it all together. Everything feels more cohesive, more curated, more intentional—even though I’m literally just displaying things I love.
The Little Details That Made It Work
A few things I learned through this process:
Keep it minimal. I filled every shelf, but I kept it simple—one or two items per shelf, max. This gives your eye a place to rest and keeps the whole thing from looking cluttered. The key is restraint: not everything you own needs to be on display.
Mix your materials and textures. Wood, ceramic, metal, paper—having that variety keeps things interesting as you scan from top to bottom. If everything was the same material, it would lose that dynamic quality.
Color placement matters. I clustered my pop of color (that red Twemco clock) in the middle zone where it has the most impact. It creates a focal point and keeps the eye moving through the piece.
Let the design shine. The Story bookcase has such a distinctive silhouette that you don’t need to overthink it. Simple objects displayed well are all you need. I’m not trying to compete with the bookcase—I’m complementing it.
Wrap Up
So, was it worth the wait to style this thing properly? Absolutely. The DWR Story bookcase went from a beautiful piece of furniture to the element that made my room feel complete.
It’s functional (hello, all my design books finally have a home), sculptural (it’s literally art), and totally transformed a corner that was doing nothing into the most interesting spot in my space.
If you’re on the fence about this piece, my advice is this: commit to styling it thoughtfully. Don’t rush it. Let it be the moment it deserves to be. Because once you get it right? It’s magic.
And hey, if you already have one sitting empty as I did, consider this your permission slip to have some fun with it. Your space will thank you.
What would you put on your Story bookcase shelves? I’m always looking for inspiration, so drop your ideas in the comments!