How to Style Shelves
/Shelving and bookcases are great for storing both books and decorative items. The challenge is that open shelving can often look messy and cluttered—thus making the whole room look untidy. Follow these simple rules to style your shelves and transform the look of your space. You’ll be able to display books and decor in a way that is functional, looks great, and fits your personal style.
Rule #1
Less is More
Notice the top photo… There are many items all fairly similar in size. The shelf appears cluttered, and it’s difficult to focus on each individual item.
Now look at the bottom image… There are fewer, various-sized, color coordinated items. This display has interest, it’s easy to see each item, and there’s just enough negative—empty—space to make the shelf feel roomy.
If you have a lot of small decorative pieces, try to space them out over multiple shelves. If you still have too many, move some items to storage. Throughout the year, change out the items to update the look of your shelves. This allows you to enjoy all of your decor without making the space look cluttered.
Rule #2
Use Baskets to Conceal
Use solid baskets or bins to conceal items that aren’t adding decorative value to your shelves. Items like remote controls, charging cords, toys, etc. tend to land on shelves and make them look untidy. Wire baskets may look pretty, but they won’t be able to hide the clutter. Instead, choose baskets or bins that are solid, neutral, and fit in with the style of the room. Concealing the unsightly items ensures that your decorative pieces will stand-out.
Rule #3
Group in Odd Numbers
Items grouped in odd numbers tend to be more visually appealing than those grouped in even numbers. If you think this sounds crazy, take a close look at these pictures. The displays with an odd number of books grouped with decorative pieces, adding up to an odd number of total objects, make more attractive arrangements. Look again and count, I’ll wait…
The even-numbered displays tend to look more boxy and bland, right? If the overall shape of your display looks triangular, not square, it will be eye-catching. This is what designers call a visual triangle. Can you see the right triangle formed by the jug, stack of books, and bowl? (Sorry to make you use geometry there!)
Arrange items of varying height to create a visual triangle on a single shelf. To help achieve this illusion, use stacks of books, candle holders, or pedestals to raise smaller decorative pieces, when needed. Plate holders work well to give picture frames additional height. There are endless ways to arrange decor to achieve this eye-catching trick.
Rule #4
Create (More) Visual Triangles
Previously, I showed you how to make a visual triangle arranging decorative items on a single shelf. It’s also important to create visual triangles for the bookcase or shelving unit as a whole. I used visual triangles to balance the colors of the items in my display—even though most of my display is light and neutral, items would look out of place if not spaced properly.
Rule #5
Let your Style Show
Notice the difference between the shelves in our family room—neutral color palette—versus the shelves in our home office—packed full of color. Neither one is really better than the other, it’s a matter of personal style.
The family room shelves create a calm and airy space. The bold book display in the office brings a bright cheerfulness to our workspace. The color of my books often dictates which room they wind up in, but if you look closely you can see in the family room, I often turn books backwards to help maintain the neutral color palette.
Rearrange the configuration of your books and decorative pieces to find a style that best fits you and your home.
