Decorating
Decorating: How to Style Your Shelves for Maximum Effect
Take advantage of the humble shelf and turn your possessions into beautiful displays and eye-catching arrangements
Shelving seems like the most straightforward, fuss-free part of decorating a new home – just stick some books on them and job done, right? Well, not if you want them to look stylish. A poorly planned set of shelves is a real wasted opportunity. They’re perfect for displaying your favourite possessions, so why just ‘fill’ them? Get creative by grouping colours, alternating vertical and horizontal book stacks or mixing objects into interesting, eye-catching clusters. With a little forethought and experimentation, you can create displays that will enrich your interior rather than jumbles that blend into the background. Read on for 10 ideas to get you started.
Shrink it down
You needn’t always go big! Small surfaces around the house, such as this little area by the kitchen sink, can make a huge impact with just five minutes of styling from you. A handful of colourful cookery books, a mirrored box and a simple glass bottle have transformed this dead space into a main event.
You needn’t always go big! Small surfaces around the house, such as this little area by the kitchen sink, can make a huge impact with just five minutes of styling from you. A handful of colourful cookery books, a mirrored box and a simple glass bottle have transformed this dead space into a main event.
Big it up
An entire wall can make a great display. Whether it’s a vast gallery wall or the floor-to-ceiling shelves in this image, the only limit to the scale is the height of your room. Line entirely with books for an ordered look, or mix things up with favourite objects, pictures and books at different angles.
An entire wall can make a great display. Whether it’s a vast gallery wall or the floor-to-ceiling shelves in this image, the only limit to the scale is the height of your room. Line entirely with books for an ordered look, or mix things up with favourite objects, pictures and books at different angles.
Pick a palette
Think about colours when planning your displays. Grouping together similar colours – particularly when stacking books – will give consistency to your space and make it look styled rather than just chaotic. The pink and gold tones of this carefully edited selection of books work perfectly with the creamy wall and pink wallpaper.
Learn how to colour theme your display
Think about colours when planning your displays. Grouping together similar colours – particularly when stacking books – will give consistency to your space and make it look styled rather than just chaotic. The pink and gold tones of this carefully edited selection of books work perfectly with the creamy wall and pink wallpaper.
Learn how to colour theme your display
Cross boundaries
Hanging objects will break up lines between shelves and keep things from looking too uniform. Experiment with plants, mobiles or differently sized picture frames to see what works best for your space.
Hanging objects will break up lines between shelves and keep things from looking too uniform. Experiment with plants, mobiles or differently sized picture frames to see what works best for your space.
Show your best side
Present the best possible version of your stuff. Does that stapler really deserve pride of place on your desk? How about the chipped mugs on the kitchen shelf? Hide the ugly and the mundane away in cupboards and drawers, and give pride of place to your coolest and quirkiest possessions.
Present the best possible version of your stuff. Does that stapler really deserve pride of place on your desk? How about the chipped mugs on the kitchen shelf? Hide the ugly and the mundane away in cupboards and drawers, and give pride of place to your coolest and quirkiest possessions.
Go by rail
Picture rails allow you to layer artworks of all sizes and shapes. The varying heights and overlapping edges make the display eye-catching and interesting, while the straight shelf edges keep things from looking too chaotic. It’s a good idea to keep either colours or styles consistent rather than throwing totally random art together – here a black and white theme works beautifully, and allows drawings to be at home with photographs.
Picture rails allow you to layer artworks of all sizes and shapes. The varying heights and overlapping edges make the display eye-catching and interesting, while the straight shelf edges keep things from looking too chaotic. It’s a good idea to keep either colours or styles consistent rather than throwing totally random art together – here a black and white theme works beautifully, and allows drawings to be at home with photographs.
Stack in style
If your house is overflowing with books, take some off the shelves and onto the floor. These neat piles flanking and covering a console table add arty stripes, as well as being super-easy to access.
Browse 11 creative ways to display your books
If your house is overflowing with books, take some off the shelves and onto the floor. These neat piles flanking and covering a console table add arty stripes, as well as being super-easy to access.
Browse 11 creative ways to display your books
Repeat after me…
If you have a collection of the same item, it’s a great idea to spread the objects between rooms rather than grouping them all in one place. This repetition really ties the different areas together. The framed butterflies in this London home look great as a wall collage, but did you notice them nestled in between the books in the next room, too?
If you have a collection of the same item, it’s a great idea to spread the objects between rooms rather than grouping them all in one place. This repetition really ties the different areas together. The framed butterflies in this London home look great as a wall collage, but did you notice them nestled in between the books in the next room, too?
Say yes to less
Sometimes, less can be more. If you have one or two objects that really stand out, don’t be afraid to dedicate open space to them. The typewriter really catches the eye on this bench setup; it would have had far less impact surrounded by other items.
TELL US...
How do you like to style your shelves? Share your favourite tips in the Comments below.
Sometimes, less can be more. If you have one or two objects that really stand out, don’t be afraid to dedicate open space to them. The typewriter really catches the eye on this bench setup; it would have had far less impact surrounded by other items.
TELL US...
How do you like to style your shelves? Share your favourite tips in the Comments below.
Grouping similar objects together in boxy shelves not only looks pretty, it’s a brilliant way to corral lots of tiny objects that could look messy alone into a single, strong display. With this arty arrangement, ceramic and glass pieces are given the perfect home.