How to Style Shelves Like a Pro
- Use plants to add freshness The use of greenery on shelves is a wonderful way of breaking the standard straight lines we find on our shelves. ...
- Display frames and photographs ...
- Consider the rule of threes ...
- Vary the height ...
- Putting your books first ...
- Use neutral colors to color balance the room ...
- Make things personal ...
How to decorate shelves in your home?
There is no hard and fast rule on how to decorate shelves. So, the best way is to look around and find pieces that tell the story of your interior design. For instance, if you have a beach house, you can use corals and shells on a wall shelf for the living room.
What color should you paint your shelves?
When going neutral on your shelves, whites, blacks, beiges, and metallics are always a great choice. For shelves that feel full and finished, mix and match bigger and smaller pieces to create a layered look. Try starting with a few large staple items, and then accessorizing with smaller, more intricate objects.
What are the best shelf decorating ideas for bathrooms?
The most effective shelf decorating ideas include the use of a variety of textures. For instance, a bamboo basket for towels makes for the perfect boho shelf decor for the bathroom. In addition, you can use wooden trays, glass bottles or maybe some picture frames to bring a personal touch to space.
How many prints should I put on my shelves?
You won’t want to incorporate artwork on each and every shelf, or your setup could easily look too busy, but adding prints to approximately one-third of your shelves is never a bad idea. Continue to 9 of 11 below.
How can I decorate my bedroom shelf?
3:2810:51How to style a shelf | 10 Easy tips for bookshelf styling (ad) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo my second tip is to think about height. I'm starting with my biggest pieces first. So I canMoreSo my second tip is to think about height. I'm starting with my biggest pieces first. So I can spread. Them around and get the balance right. So big things like prints.
How do you make a shelf look good?
Lean artwork along the back of the shelves, and anchor them with books or heavier objects. To decorate the bookcase, place a few small pieces of art near the front of the shelves to give them depth.
How do you style a set of shelves?
Consider placing artwork towards the back of the shelf and layer smaller decorative items in front — using the depth of the shelf will create interest.Mix up book placement. ... Put an item on your stack. ... Decorate in odd numbers. ... Consider adding a vase of things. ... Add metallic accents. ... Stand back and edit.
What should I put on my shelf in the bedroom?
TIPS & IDEAS FOR WHAT TO PUT ON YOUR SHELVESPlants, plants and more plants. Plants are super on trend at the moment. ... Texture. Look for fun woven baskets, wooden prayers beads and little boxes to add texture to your shelves.Candle holders. ... Books. ... Vases. ... Pictures, art prints and photos.Candles.Risers.
What do you put on empty shelves?
What to Keep on Your Shelves Besides BooksShow Off Your Photos. Less is more is a frequently-used adage for a reason, but it doesn't always apply to interiors — as these eclectic built-in shelves prove. ... Vintage Touches. ... Splash of Color. ... Trendy Elements. ... Modern Accents. ... Curated Collection. ... Playful Sophistication.
What should I put on my shelf?
What should I put on my shelves?Plants (mostly faux for me due to my black thumb 😉 )Books.Vases, pitchers, bowls, baskets, and other vessels.Vase fillers.Picture frames.Small mirrors.Letters or monograms.Candles.More items...•
How do you style a display shelf?
Aim to have some shelves with two items or groupings of items, some shelves to have three items, and some shelves to have just one large item. By varying the formula and layout of each shelf, you'll create a look that is visually appealing, but still cohesive with the color palette you choose.
How do you organize open shelves in a bedroom?
1:284:08Open shelves in Living room organizing and styling MAKEOVERYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipJust using matching storage boxes makes the shelves look way more organized.MoreJust using matching storage boxes makes the shelves look way more organized.
How do you cover open shelves in a bedroom?
Idea #1: Hang Curtains to cover Open Shelves The simpler solution is to hang curtains in front of the shelves. You can let your imagination run wild by going with a fabric and colour of your choice from sheer to printed. Install a curtain rod and hang ready made door curtains. The cost should be no more than Rs.
Are Floating shelves still in style?
If you think that floating shelving is a short-lived fad, think again! Centuries-old homes have open shelving incorporated into their kitchens for added style, ease, and function in kitchens all over the world. So there you have it, while there are many opinions about floating shelves, they aren't going anywhere!
How do you display knick knacks without looking cluttered?
Cubby bookcases are close enough to the traditional that no one really pays attention to them, but they also allow extra storage for displaying books and knick knacks on a low-key level....Cork boards. ... Magnets. ... Poster frames. ... Shadow box frames. ... Scrapbooks. ... Hanging baskets. ... Jewelry displays. ... Shelves, shelves, and more shelves.More items...•
How do you decorate a single shelf?
1:555:46Shelf Decorating Tips For Your Home - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo once you're ready to start putting things up on your shelf you want to start with your biggestMoreSo once you're ready to start putting things up on your shelf you want to start with your biggest items first and always consider balance. So I don't necessarily mean symmetry.
How do you design a shelf display?
I like to change things up and style my shelves every other weekend.Tell your story. ... Vary the heights of objects. ... Work with varying textures. ... Not just books. ... Work with negative space. ... Odd numbers. ... Keep it interesting. ... Use the vertical wall space.More items...•
How do you style a bookshelf like a pro?
0:353:29How to Style a Bookshelf Like a Pro (3 Easy Steps) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou want to put the big items in first because. It they're the things that are going to take up theMoreYou want to put the big items in first because. It they're the things that are going to take up the most amount of space. So you want to know what space you're going to have left.
How do you decorate open shelves?
3:348:03HOW TO STYLE OPEN SHELVES IN LIVING ROOM - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhat can a really make or break decorating a shelf is balance. Start with your smallest. OrMoreWhat can a really make or break decorating a shelf is balance. Start with your smallest. Or spatially lightest items at the top shelf. And then work your way down with your largest.
How do you decorate a single shelf?
1:555:46Shelf Decorating Tips For Your Home - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo once you're ready to start putting things up on your shelf you want to start with your biggestMoreSo once you're ready to start putting things up on your shelf you want to start with your biggest items first and always consider balance. So I don't necessarily mean symmetry.
How to decorate a living room book shelf?
When decorating a living room bookshelf, whether with books, pictures, plants or otherwise, remember to have the largest and bulkiest items on the bottom shelf of the unit. Stack lighter items as you go to each higher shelf. This gives a grounded and balanced feel to both the shelf and the room. It also makes sure your unit isn’t top heavy.
How to organize books in a room?
You might have your books currently arranged according to subject. Organize a wall of books according to color instead. This can add a major style transformation to the room. Not only does this offer a conversation starter for visitors, but visually oriented people may find this a better way of organizing books.
What is a shelfie?
But how do you style a shelf shelfie? A beautiful shelfie has items arranged in a way that you find visually balanced. It usually keeps a consistent color palette, which provides a well curated look and a perfect picture.
How to display art on a bookcase?
Or, take a more creative approach. Display larger pieces across the front of the case. Hang the art hooks on the ledge of the shelf, and suspend paintings in front of your books. This is artistic and sure to become a conversation piece!
How to revitalize a room at Pottery Barn?
At Pottery Barn, we strongly believe one creative way to revitalize a room is to re-style an existing shelf. Are you wondering where to start when decorating a shelf? This could mean changing the books around, adding or removing other objects from the bookcase itself or completely transforming the purpose of the bookcase. Check out these helpful ideas on decorating a shelf to get started on transforming your room by transforming your shelves.
What to put on a shelf in a bedroom?
If you are looking to save space in your bedroom then shelves are an excellent choice for storing books, trophies, plants, and other items.
Why do you put shelves above desks?
The trick is with shelves above desks is for them to look good of course, but not too over the top at the same time – it’s easy to get distracted when working!
How to fill in space on a low bed?
Since most beds are low down (unless you have a loft bed), it’s easy to set up a couple of shelves above the headboard to fill in this empty space.
How to keep shelves from getting clutter?
Try using some artificial plants or even some ornaments, but whatever it is, only use a few items per shelf to ensure you don’t take the focus away from its personal contents.
How high should I put a nightstand shelf?
To keep it simple, I would suggest just placing one shelf, about a meter or so high, above your nightstand for it to be effective.
How many shelves should I put on a kitchen island?
I suggest two shelves, so that one is on top of the other, as you can see in the image.
Where is the space left in a headboard?
As you can see from the photo above, you have space left in between the two shelves, or in other words, the space above your headboard.
Use plants to add freshness
The use of greenery on shelves is a wonderful way of breaking the standard straight lines we find on our shelves. Not only they do they add a wonderful color, they create a very natural feel to the room. Added texture is great and delivers a very natural balance.
Display frames and photographs
For that relaxed boho look, consider leaning photographs and frames on the wall. Not only do they look more ‘casual’, it also means that you don’t have to worry about putting holes in your wall…as well as the kerfuffle of lining them up straight on the wall.
Consider the rule of threes
This rule comes from the photography world. In essence, it breaks down a picture into three sections. The rule is that an off-center composition…photograph or shelf…is more pleasing to the eye than a composition where the main thing is placed in the middle.
Vary the height
All to often, we are drawn to organizing things by height. This uniform height may look tidy but it does not engage visually. Try going the opposite route…vary things by height. Place your things in a way so that the eye is led up and down on the shelf. This creates a much more visually appealing experience and a more interesting look.
Putting your books first
In a digital world, all too often we no longer have physical things that reflect our knowledge or interests. If you do have a collection of books, show them off. Use them to create points of interest and balance to your open shelves. If you want to really style them, place them vertically and horizontally to break the visuals.
Use neutral colors to color balance the room
I discussed the merits of organizing things by color but in this example, we will consider the merits of creating a shelf with a very neutral color tone. This may be applicable in a room where you have a very neutral theme and the shelf is part of the look.
Make things personal
Your shelves should tell a story…a story about you. Forget all the generic stuff, all the things that you think look nice, things that match…make things more personal. Let any visitors that reflect on the contents of your shelf, see the real you.
How to make a shelf look more layered?
For shelves that feel full and finished, mix and match bigger and smaller pieces to create a layered look. Try starting with a few large staple items, and then accessorizing with smaller, more intricate objects. Combining larger and smaller pieces creates a balanced look. Boxes, baskets, large bowls, and big pictures are great pieces to incorporate either as a foundation or to fill in space.
Why are shelves important?
Best of all, shelves make it easy to rotate your collections giving you an easy option for updating your room or changing your décor to match the season.
What adds life to a room?
Nothing adds a little life to a room like a bit of flora. Just a few plants can wake up an entire space, adding texture to your shelves and a pop of color to your room. Look for plants with a visual appeal like fresh cut blooms, or an edgy succulent. Fresh flowers also smell lovely, which is always a plus.
Can you display family photos on bookshelves?
Displaying one or two favorite snapshots is fair game, but in general, it’s best to save the family photos for another space in your home rather than letting them live on your bookshelves. Outfitting your shelves with rows of framed personal photographs can look cluttered and dated—while we’re all for preserving special memories, we suggest placing your frames on a petite table in the formal living room or hanging a gallery of pictures on the staircase instead.
Can you put artwork on built in shelves?
Artwork looks wonderful on built-ins; layer a few pieces alongside a stack of books and you’re golden. There’s no need to stick to one specific theme or medium, either. Set a framed black and white photo on one shelf and lean a vibrant abstract on another. Whether you DIY your artwork or support local makers, you can’t go wrong! You won’t want to incorporate artwork on each and every shelf, or your setup could easily look too busy, but adding prints to approximately one third of your shelves is never a bad idea.
Shelf Decorating Ideas & Quick Tips
You can make your open storage look well designed even if you aren’t quite sure how to decorate shelves. With a few simple, modern shelf decor ideas and tips you will be well on your way to creating magazine-worthy displays.
Bathroom Shelf Decor
Most of the time people forget how simple and effortless bathroom shelf decor can be. Opt for a customized cubby solution that can double as seating. Then, nicely rolled or folded towels are a simple solution that is practical yet gives the look of a nice hotel.
Living Room Shelf Ideas
The internet is filled with living room shelf ideas, but keep in mind that every home is different and every wall unit is unique. There is no hard and fast rule on how to decorate shelves. So, the best way is to look around and find pieces that tell the story of your interior design.
Kitchen Shelf Decor
Kitchen shelf decor can become a frenzy if not treated smartly. Therefore, it is essential to break the space up and then work on it. Create visual sections for small shelf decorations for simplicity. Furthermore, you can divide the space according to utility to attain modern shelf decor in the kitchen.
Bedroom Shelving Ideas
Bookshelf decor ideas shouldn’t be limited to your living room. Having a bookshelf in the bedroom is probably a more practical way of storing and staging books. For some added style, stack the books in similar color tones or even size. There’s also no rule that says all books must be stacked vertically, so make some horizontal piles as well.
Need more than just shelf decorating ideas?
If you’re looking for a styled look for your home, but aren’t sure where to begin, then schedule your Free Interior Design Consultation to get started with the finest interior designers today!
