What makes the difference between a space you forget instantly after seeing it and one that sticks in your head for days, months, or even years? Designers say it comes down to dimension.
In practice, there’s no better demonstration of this principle than Drew Barrymore’s living room – her space is a three-dimensional exploration of art, the written word, and the limits of built-in shelving. We spotted the actress’s library-like space in a recent Instagram post documenting her Olivia Dean dance party, but couldn’t stop staring at the background. Every shelf is filled to the brim with colorful books and layered with framed artwork illuminated by picture lights.
Whether you are looking for a unique way to elevate your living room shelves, or just a new way to display your favorite artworks, Drew’s technique is the perfect way to create a deeply memorable space. To explore, Homes & Gardens spoke with New York-based designer Nina Lichtenstein to get to the bottom of why the method works and how to recreate it. We also curated an edit of items you’ll need to emulate Drew’s style. Let’s begin with a glimpse into the actress’s home before diving in.
Recreate Drew’s Look at Home
From highly-functional shelves to gorgeous artwork, the best part of Drew’s technique is its easily customizable to your personal style. These pieces are our editors’ picks for a starting off point to spark your creativity by sorting the practical bits for you right away.
These classic modular shelving units are perfect for replicating Drew’s gallery shelving, in stark white so they don’t detract from the display you create, and box-style shelves for creating mini vignettes. They can be combined in unique ways depending on the configuration of your space.
Adjustable Picture Hanging Wire Kit
This two piece set of stainless steel picture hanging wire is perfect for arranging your artwork at different heights across your open shelving. It’s subtle, stylish, and easy to install.
Antique Gold Picture Frame
We love this traditional, ornate-style frame, which gives any artwork a vintage feel. Bernadette plays with a similar one in the photoshoot at her New York apartment, but it would look even better on the wall.
Plains Framed Wall Canvases
A Plains Framed Wall Canvas by Threshold, designed with Studio McGee, brings a serene landscape in soft neutrals to your space. Shades of beige, brown, and white create a calming, natural backdrop, while the frame makes it effortless to style.
Command 20 Lb X-Large Picture Hanging Strips
If you want an even easier install, or you don’t want to risk damaging your built-ins, command strips are a renter friendly way to emulate Drew Barrymore’s look. Just be sure to choose strips that match the weight of the work you plan to hang.
Battery Dimmable Wall Mount Picture Light
A picture light is the cherry on top that ties Drew Barrymore’s design all together. This angular gold pick is gorgeous and perfectly priced for an elevated yet affordable touch.
‘Drew Barrymore’s layered bookshelves demonstrate a design principle that many of the most memorable interiors share: the most compelling rooms are rarely one-dimensional,’ Nina Lichtenstein tells Homes & Gardens. ‘By placing artwork in front of and around the shelving, she creates visual layers that add depth, movement, personality, and intrigue to the room.’
The layering in Drew’s technique of decorating with artwork is what brings her living room alive. Nina explains: ‘The technique works because it softens the rigid geometry of the bookcases. Bookshelves naturally create strong horizontal and vertical lines, but the introduction of overlapping artwork breaks up that structure and creates a more organic composition. The eye travels across the room discovering unexpected moments rather than reading the shelving as a single flat plane.’
As mentioned previously, this layering is effective because it allows for personalization of the vertical storage, based on your dream character for your home. ‘There is also a sense of authenticity that comes from this approach, states Nina. ‘Layered rooms tend to feel as though they evolved over time, reflecting personal interests, memories, and collections rather than adhering to a perfectly staged formula. That quality is often what separates a beautiful room from one that feels truly soulful.’
Drew’s paintings over shelving technique also works because it creates a feeling of cohesion in her living room. Nina explains: ‘What is particularly compelling is that the artwork isn’t treated as a decorative accessory but as an integral part of the architecture. By allowing framed pieces to bridge shelving compartments, extend beyond bookcase boundaries, and interact with the surrounding walls, the room feels less like a collection of individual elements and more like a cohesive visual landscape. This approach creates a sense of continuity that encourages the eye to wander, revealing new details and points of interest over time.’
If you are hoping to introduce more natural materials into your home without making the space feel too ‘granola,’ Drew’s method is a great place to start. ‘There is also a subtle biophilic quality to this type of layering,’ says Nina.
She continues: ‘In nature, our visual experience is rarely flat or predictable. We encounter overlapping branches, shifting views, changing depths, and layers of information that unfold as we move through a landscape. Interiors that incorporate similar visual complexity often feel more engaging and comfortable because they provide the eye and brain with the kind of richness they are naturally drawn to.’
Luckily, the actress’s design is easy to replicate. Nina advises: ‘To recreate the look, think of your shelving as a backdrop rather than the final destination. Incorporate artwork of varying sizes, allow pieces to overlap, and extend a few beyond the boundaries of the shelves themselves. The goal is to create a composition that feels curated rather than controlled, inviting exploration every time you enter the room.’
If you are looking for a way to add interest to your shelves, display your art, or just make your living room more striking, Drew Barrymore’s layered bookshelves are the perfect blueprint.
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