Styling open shelves can be overwhelming. However, styling a shelf is a great opportunity to blend functionality with visual beauty, transforming an empty space into a room’s focal point. In this post, I’ll help you style shelves in your home in just 10 steps – whether you’re working with built-ins, floating shelves, or a bookshelf.
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1. Start with a Blank Canvas
Begin by clearing everything off of your shelves. This allows you to start fresh and thoughtfully consider each item you’ll place back. Think of your shelves as a blank canvas, ready to be filled with things that define you, your home and your family.
2. Mix and Match Sizes
Variety is key. Mix different sizes and shapes of objects to create visual interest. Large items like vases, framed art, or sculptures provide a strong foundation, while smaller items like books, candles, or small plants fill in the gaps and add detail.
Here are some of my favorite decorative vases:
3. Use Sets of Three
Group items in sets of three or odd numbers for a natural and engaging arrangement. For example, a tall vase, a medium-sized picture frame, and a small decorative box would make a perfect trio!
4. Incorporate Texture
Add depth as you style shelves by mixing different textures. Combine smooth ceramics with woven baskets, glassware or wooden objects. Texture keeps the shelves from feeling flat and adds a tactile element to your display.
These are some textured items I’d use on a shelf:
5. Balance with Books
Books are a shelf’s best friend. Stack them horizontally or vertically, but remember to break up the monotony by inserting decorative objects between the stacks. Books can also serve as risers to elevate smaller pieces.
Here are some of my favorite books to use as decor:
6. Add Greenery
Plants bring life and movement to shelves. Whether you choose a trailing ivy, a small succulent, or a tall leafy plant, greenery adds a pop of color and a fresh, organic feel.
There’s no shame in using faux plants – I use them all the time in my designs. Here are some of my go-to’s:
7. Personal Touches
Incorporate personal items like framed photos, souvenirs or heirlooms. These pieces tell your story and make your shelves uniquely yours.
Here are a few frames that I love:
8. Negative Space
Resist the urge to overfill. Negative space, or the empty areas around objects, is just as important as the items themselves. It gives the eyes a place to rest and makes the overall arrangement feel intentional and uncluttered.
9. Layering
Don’t be afraid to layer objects in front of one another. Place a small picture frame in front of a larger piece of art or layer smaller decorative objects over stacks of books. This adds dimension and makes the shelves look more dynamic.
10. Edit and Rearrange
Finally, step back and assess your work. Editing is crucial—sometimes less is more. Move things around until the shelves feel balanced and aesthetically pleasing.
Hope this helps as you style shelves in your home!
