How To Style Your Shelves
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Fill Them Up
“All my shelves are full, featuring items of interest, with a variety of textures, books, candles, plants, vases, you name it.” – Leoma Harper, @styletheclutter
Mix Heights And Sizes
“I like to arrange things so each shelf is different, with a mix of heights, shapes and sizes, grouping items together to create a triangular shape using depths and heights across the shelves. I also like to add depth by adding framed pictures against each other, behind more statement items such as ceramics.” – Leoma
Layer Different Objects
“Ground items through layering – for example, a few books piled up with a candle or plant on top, a little tray with items within it and a candle with a cloche on top are always favourites of mine. When it comes to books, I arrange these in height/size order and keep similar colour tones grouped together. The key rule for a good shelf is to mix and group, so no item looks left out.” – Leoma
Stack Books
“Coffee table books are my go-to pieces for styling any room and are the first items I grab when styling an open shelf. Display them vertically in tight groups and anchored with a book end. Or stack them flat to lay objects on and create different heights within the overall structure. Objects that vary in height allow for a greater visual impact, so always add something like a tall vase or unique piece of art to draw your eye upwards. And consider what colour books you want to go for. Books are a great way to inject a pop of colour into a room. Or go for neutral colours for a more harmonious look.” – Danni Hamer
@NO.17HOUSE
@ONEFOUREIGHTLONDON
Cluster And Balance
“I love to display a variety of interesting objects – of different forms and sizes – on open shelves,. Larger or more decorative pieces can stand alone, while I like to cluster others in groups of three or four. Go for contrasting colours: darker pieces will stand out against neutral-coloured shelves. And balance smaller items with larger accents: vases, bowls and baskets are all great pieces to incorporate as the foundation or to fill the space.” – Danni
Incorporate Greenery
“Adding a touch of greenery can really help bring your shelves to life. A potted plant or dried flowers work well, or simply place a larger shrub or tree in front of or to the side of your shelves.” – Danni
@ONEFOUREIGHTLONDON
Don’t Forget About Lighting
“Don’t underestimate the power of good lighting. Adding simple LED strip lighting to your shelves is an inexpensive way to add warmth and ambiance to a room, and really draws the eye to the objects on display.” – Danni
Finally, Beware Of Over-Styling
“There are no hard-set rules to styling a shelf. Sometimes, you just need to play around with the objects to see what works best. And remember that less is often more: too many objects can often make a shelf look cluttered. The most appealing shelves offer a balance of interest and space, so try to only incorporate your favourite pieces.” – Danni
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