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H&G's Interiors Therapist says Gwyneth Paltrow's 'beautiful, relaxing and composed' storage system is 'uplifting and supportive'

The lifestyle mogul has mastered a storage solution that is as tuned to wellbeing and aesthetic as it is functional – this is the secret to doing the same

Gwyneth Paltrow
(Image credit: GettyImages)

The challenge of mastering practical but gorgeous-looking shelving is something we all, Gwyneth Paltrow included, face in our homes. And she may have just set a new bar with her beautiful yet functional book storage system. 

The actress-turned-businesswoman shared a look inside her famously chic Montecito residence, created by celebrated designer Brigette Romanek. Her 'forever home' is stylish but holistic – comprising a white marble kitchen, a neutral living room, and a zen backyard – so, of course, something as mundane as her storage was going to be just as effortlessly good-looking. 

'Earlier today, I talked with my dear friend Brigette Romanek and [designer] Richard T. Anuszkiewicz about how we incorporate wellness into design and the inspiration for my new home,' Gwyneth says while sitting in a book-filled corner. 'We touched on my design journey – all the way down to the Monogram Appliances [Gwyneth's favorite kitchen range] I chose for my kitchen. Where do you all find inspiration when starting a new home project?'

When it comes to living room book shelf ideas, Gwyneth's solution is simple but effective. She has opted for white floor-to-ceiling shelves that allow the book jackets to bring just the right amount of color to the space. The shelves strike a balance between a relaxed yet organized aesthetic  – something that hasn't gone unnoticed by H&G's Interiors Therapist Suzanne Roynon.

'I admire the curated organization of Gwyneth’s shelving,' she comments. 'The actress has an eclectic range of interests which are reflected in her reading choices, and she has created a space that is beautiful, relaxing, and composed.'

Suzanne Roynon
Suzanne Roynon

Suzanne is a specialist Interiors Therapy Expert and author of Welcome Home, How Stuff Makes or Breaks your Relationshipavailable on Amazon. She has spent more than 25 years in corporate and charity roles, using her ability as a therapist and public speaker to help people understand their relationship with their homes and possessions.

So, how can we recreate this look in our own homes? Even when working with small space storage, Suzanne says this look is 'eminently straightforward' to replicate. 

'The secret is to treat the shelving as a display space for items you love, rather than viewing storage as something you should cram everything into,' she explains. 'It’s a change of perspective which comes with interiors therapy, and it elevates the energy within a home to support and uplift the occupants.'

Built-in bookshelves and a pair of armchairs in a white scheme.

(Image credit: Future / Matthew Williams)

And one other key thing to remember? Think about the placement of the lower shelf. 'My one suggestion, offered from painful personal experience, is to be sure the lower shelf will not collide with the back of your head when you flop into your chair or sofa.'

Whether used for books, vases, or accessories, this is our reminder to keep our shelves curated – and think about their all-important placement. And for a failsafe starting point, we're bringing Gwyneth's post to the very top of our bookmarks. We're also creating the look with these Paltrow-inspired buys below. 

Megan Slack
Head of Celebrity Style News

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens, where she leads the celebrity/ news team. She has a history in interior design, travel, and news journalism, having lived and worked in New York, Paris, and, currently, London. Megan has bylines in Livingetc, The Telegraph, and IRK Magazine, and has interviewed the likes of Drew Barrymore, Ayesha Curry, Michelle Keegan, and Tan France, among others. She lives in a London apartment with her antique typewriter and an eclectic espresso cup collection, and dreams of a Kelly Wearstler-designed home.