14 Tips For Styling Shelves

Even if you like a clutter free home it’s still nice to have some shelves for adding interest in your home. From books to plants, there are multiple practical uses for shelves but, by giving it a little bit of thought, how you style your shelves can transform a room’s look and feel.

Shelving is a great way to style the corner of a room. Image: Pinterest

If you want to enjoy the aesthetic appeal of open shelves here are some tips that you can use to give your shelves the wow factor in your home:

Declutter and Curate: Start by removing all the items from the shelves. Bring these together with other items you have collected that you may want to display. Decide what you want to keep, donate, or discard. Less clutter will provide a more streamlined and stylish display.

Choose a Colour Scheme:

Decide on a colour palette that complements your room's decor. Select items that fit within this colour scheme for a cohesive look. On my kitchen shelves I’ve displayed items in natural, brown and green tones. Adding another colour into this scheme would spoil the look.

Consider Balance and Symmetry: Arrange items with a sense of balance and symmetry. This could mean having larger items on the lower shelves and smaller ones at the top, or placing matching items on opposite sides.

The use of candlesticks on opposite sides of the shelves and the heavy planter on the bottom shelf adds balance to this scheme. Image: Pinterest

Use a Variety of Items: Mix and match different types of decor elements such as books, framed photos, decorative objects, and plants. This diversity adds interest and depth to the shelves.

Consider Scale: Pay attention to the scale of the items. A variety of sizes and shapes can make your shelves more visually appealing.

Books

If you have books on your shelves, consider arranging them both vertically and horizontally. This creates visual interest and prevents a monotonous look.

Personal Touch: Incorporate personal items or mementos to add character and tell a story about your life and interests.

Greenery: Houseplants, faux or fresh flowers bring in natural elements and can soften the display.

Layer Items: Place items at different depths to create a layered effect. This adds dimension to the shelves.

Bookshelves with vintage items and painting and trays layered behind Image: Pinterest

Lighting: Consider adding lighting, such as LED strips, lamps or candles, to highlight certain items and create a cosy ambiance.

Empty Space: Don't be afraid of some empty space on the shelves. This can help items stand out and prevent overcrowding.

Rotate Items: Change the items on your shelves periodically to keep the display fresh.

Kitchen shelves that have been styled to be practical as well as look good Image: Pinterest

Think function as well as aesthetics: Ensure that the items you display are practical and serve a purpose, especially in the kitchen. For example, use shelves for storing cookbooks and utensils.

Avoid Overcrowding: Overcrowded shelves can be busy so leave some empty space to give the eyes a place to rest.

Remember that styling shelves is a creative process, and you can always adjust and experiment until you achieve the look that best suits your space and personal style.

Happy shelf faffing!!