What are your shelves telling you and your guests? Do they say, welcome to my world or are they a cry for attention? Most of our client’s stuff them full of books and call it a day but it doesn’t have to be that way. You can easily style your bookshelves so that they fit your aesthetic and personality. Let’s dust off those cobwebs and create a display space that wows!
Color code each shelf for a quick and easy refresh! This is a great solution for book lovers who have many titles they need easy access to. First you will want to sort all of your books based on the color of its spine. Think ROY-G-BV (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Violet) from elementary school. Next, you’ll place the books on each shelf and this is where your creative juices get flowing. You could sort them so that the colors graduate from dark to light in that category or you could sort them by height from left to right. Are there not enough of one color to create its own category? No problem, combine it with similar colors such as red and orange or blue and violet. Using this organizational method is a wonderful way to emphasize color in a space.
Double duty for items that are decorative and functional! Sometimes we get low on storage space and our shelves need to have a dual purpose; this solution fits the bill. Bust out of the cabinetry by storing items such as plates, bowls, glasses, vases, pitchers, and cutting boards. To accomplish this style, you’ll want to select groupings in mostly even numbers. Do you have 12 plates but not enough space in the pantry for all of them? Pull 4 out for display with another 2 bowls and you are now curating your items. Place these items by stacking, spacing, alternating, and leaning so that they are balanced and vary in height. The end result will be a perfectly curated set of shelves that store items that wouldn’t normally fit in those smaller spaces.
Nurture new life through the use of plants! This easy to implement solution is proven to create healthier environments as well as soothe the mind. You’ll want to include a variety of types, heights, and decorative containers. Place larger pots alone on a shelf and group smaller pots together. Patterns, textures, and heights can be combined or stand alone to create space and flow throughout your display shelves. Don’t have a green thumb? Faux plants can be just as functional and beautiful as the real deal.
Combine plants and accessories to emphasize natural color! All of the same concepts apply for this solution but by including accessories you can minimize and balance shelf space. Make sure the plants and décor items alternate in a rational pattern. You’ll want the viewer’s eye to flow through the design.
Display a collection! Do you have handmade vases from traveling the world or action figures that are sentimental? Creating an intentional space for special pieces such as these is the perfect way to show off your personality. These items typically have a common theme such as function or color and can therefore be grouped together. Start by placing the larger items so that they are spread out and fit within the shelf space, then fill in empty spaces with the remaining items. Be sure you don’t overfill as the extra space creates intentionality. The final result is a carefully curated gallery of your hobbies.
Uncommon sizes and shapes create the feeling of randomness! Perhaps your personality is a bit wild, you can create unique shelves out of everyday items such as crates, pipes and boards, palettes, etc. When hanging these items make sure to fasten them to the wall with hidden and secure screws. We don’t want the weight of the shelves bringing us down. Since these pieces are more uncommon the items on display can be too. Include handmade pottery, plants, lighting, and décor items that coordinate. Not all items have to match, free your imagination and create!
Intentional voids can speak volumes! Well thought out and expertly placed empty space can help clear the mind. Avoid unnecessary distractions by leaving balanced voids in combination with books and accessories. To create a monochromatic look the books can be placed with the pages facing out, muted accessories should repeat, and frames be uniform in size and shape. Simplicity can give shelves a much-needed purpose.
Carefully placed books and accessories are an art! Perhaps the most difficult and sought-after styling to achieve. Don’t be scared to embark upon this type of shelf design though as we will help you get it right. You’ll want to start with a wide variety of books, sculptural pieces, vases, canisters, boxes, and plants. The key when placing these items is BALANCE. If items larger items are placed on top and small items on bottom, it can look top heavy and unbalanced. You’ll want to start by placing the larger visually heavy items first, this will anchor the shelves. Next you will fill in with groupings of books, these can be placed vertically, stacked horizontally or have a few on the end lean to create angles. This gives you variety and interest with a common item. Next, you’ll place your plants, vases, canisters and sculptures. Equally space them so they are balanced and coordinated. Feel free to get creative with your placement as this is a reflection of who you are!
Who knew there were so many different ways to style shelving? Well, we did but hopefully now you do too! The main thing to remember is that there’s not set way of doing it right. Open your mind and allow yourself to think freely, this is where the creative juices start flowing. You always have the option to change things and rearrange, so don’t fear making mistakes. Enjoy your time creating a revitalized and lovely space!
Who knew there were so many different ways to style shelving? Well, we did but hopefully now you do too! The main thing to remember is that there’s not set way of doing it right. Open your mind and allow yourself to think freely, this is where the creative juices start flowing. You always have the option to change things and rearrange, so don’t fear making mistakes. Enjoy your time creating a revitalized and lovely space!
