Styling Shelves: Steps and Tips To Elevate Your Space

Styling shelves can be a bit tricky but if you do it right your have guests will wonder if you’re a pro (or hired one). To make this process easier I’ve come up with a method of 5 steps to help you organize your decor in a way that will save you time and a headache. I will also be giving you tips on how to pick and style your decor to elevate your bookcases, built-ins, and all things shelves. 

STEPS

* This method works best for shelves with three rows and long enough so there is room to place three items on each shelf.

1. Find a statement piece and place right in the middle. You want this item to be the one that will catch someone’s eye and have them looking around for more. 
2. Pick opposite corners (top left/bottom right or top right/bottom left) and place two more statement pieces that aren’t as eye-catching as the piece you placed in the middle but very close to it. 
3. With the space you have left, place pieces that are of similar or complimentary colors to the pieces you have already placed.
4. Fill in! Fill in vases, decorative bowls, or trays. 
5. Have fun and your shelves are done! 

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The other method I love to use when there are two sets of three shelves, like the image below, is similar to the method above. In this case, I like to place more statement pieces that would go on the top and bottom shelves and the middle shelves would be styled with pieces of the same color as the statement pieces or colors that correlate with those.

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TIPS 

• Variety is important! Using too many items of the same natue i.e vases, can start to look less like a shelf in your home and more like a shelf in a store.
• Try to use ojects that are different colors but go well together. Using colors that don’t match or go well together can have your space looking all over the place.
• Spread out color! If you have two rows of shelves, be sure you alternate the position of items with the same color, especailly if they are bigger pieces. As shown in the picture below items of the same brass color zig-zag between the two rows in different positions. This adds dimension and makes it look less matcy-matchy.

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• Use books to elevate small pieces or use them as a main piece, alternate book positions. Be causeful not to use too many book. Using an abundance of books can make your shelves look like a bookcase, unless that’s what you’re going for.
• One thing I love adding to my shelves is artwork. It add dimension and a different perspectives to your shevles. It also makes them stand out. I love pairing art with a vase or any decorative object.

The images below show great ways to incorporate books and artwork in your shelf styling.

It might take a while and a lot of rearranging, maybe even buying new objects, until your shelves look perfect but remember to have fun doing it!

Until next time!