I think styling shelves may be a favorite task for all of us who love home decor. It’s so much fun and allows you to show off all your seasonal decor finds! There are always a few tips and tricks I love to share with you all to make tasks like this easy! As always, I’ll link all of my favorite decorative accents just in case you need new additions to your collection.
Start with a Blank Slate
First off, let’s clear off all your shelves and give them a good cleaning. This will help you better visualize your available space and eliminate all the lingering dust. Considering this is something we do only a couple of times a year, don’t skip it! This also allows you to clean off your decorative accents. Remember, dust is our worst enemy.
Take an Inventory
Next, separate all of your decorative pieces by size. You will want to use your largest pieces first and then style around them, so ensure you have enough of them. You want to avoid grouping multiple large pieces next to each other.
Personally, I also like to separate my decor pieces by categories and style those categories one by one—first, the large art pieces, then the vases, then the boxes, etc.
Placing your Decor
Start with your largest pieces: These will be your focal points. Larger art, vases, or bowls are typically the largest pieces you’ll have. Then, create groupings of two or three items, ranging in size. Think of doing a large piece, a medium piece, and then a small piece grouped together.
Grouping items in odd numbers is the most pleasing to the human eye. It creates balance and visual interest as the eye scans the different items instead of settling on just one.
THE RULE OF THREE
Stagger Grouped Items: Disperse items of the same “type” throughout the shelving. For example, spread out the vases, and stagger the decorative boxes to create a variety throughout the entire space. This creates a cohesive look.
If you have very small items, elevate them with books which creates different layers of decor. We want to create both depth and height.
Create Visual Balance: Alternate where your tallest objects are! You can create either triangles, diamonds, or zig-zagged shapes of grouped items. Take a look at the photo below for an example!
Use Negative Space: The empty space between groupings of items is sometimes more important than the groupings themselves. We naturally dislike clutter, so thoughtfully create spacing between your objects. This allows for a harmonious and balanced appearance. This is where taking photos helps SO much!
Adding Layers through Art and Decorative Objects
If you’re looking to add even more dimension to your bookshelf, adding layers is a super easy way to add some personality and depth to your display. Just play around with strategically placing items in front of or behind each other, and voila! You’ll achieve a rich, textured look that’s totally eye-catching and another sure way to style open or built-in shelving!
Layering Art: Start by positioning larger art prints towards the back, propped against the rear of the bookshelf. I love to buy larger matted frames(this is my go to 11×14 frame matted to an 8×10) and always add seasonal prints to change things up! Check out these budget friendly options! Next, consider adding smaller pieces or family photos in front, allowing their ends to overlap slightly. Avoid covering the entire frame, and feel free to mix vertical and horizontal picture frames—just ensure that whatever is in front is shorter in height.
Layering Decorative Pieces: Placement of any decorative pieces can really affect the entire look of your open shelving. I typically like to add any last decor objects last and fill in any gaps. You might consider positioning a small bowl or a set of decorative boxes in front of taller items, and fill gaps with smaller items such as thrift finds to create a harmonious and balanced display.
Layering with Vases: Vases serve dual purposes as both functional and decorative decor. Opting for vases with varying heights and shapes allows you to achieve a staggered effect, introducing vertical interest to your display. I love when I can find matching vases with different shapes (Hobby Lobby is my secret weapon)! Try positioning taller vases behind shorter ones, or create an appealing arrangement by grouping small on a stack of pretty coffee table books!
My Favorite Decor for Styling Shelves
Framed Art Pieces & Frames
Vases & Vessels
Decorative Boxes
Books & Bookends
Dishes & Bowls
Decorative Objects
Greenery
Candles & Candlestick Holders
For more of my favorite decorative accents and home decor finds, check out my Amazon Storefront and my LTK! I’m constantly updating these with new and seasonal pieces!
Lastly, here are some other helpful blogs on decorating just about any space in your home!
A Guide to Finding the Perfect Rug Size
Easy Cabinet Hardware Placement Guide
5 Ways to Add Character to your Home
