Shelf Styling Tips & Tricks

Styling your built-in shelving or bookcases can be an intimidating task, am I right? I know it used to be something I felt like I could never get quite right. I’ve learned some helpful tips and tricks over the years to help you create the perfectly styled shelf. Following these simple guidelines will help to simplify the process and hopefully make it more fun and enjoyable. There’s nothing I love more than creating the perfect #shelfie, and I hope that by the time you’re done reading this post you’ll feel ready to tackle your own shelves!

The first step to cohesive shelf styling is to decide on a color scheme. Be sure to consider the color of your walls and shelving. You’re going to want to choose a color palette that will blend nicely with its surroundings. As you can see in my photos, I was styling some black shelves up against a wall painted in Sherwin Williams Shiitake. I wanted to soften up the harshness of the black a bit so I chose a neutral color palette and stuck to light, natural wood tones and accessories in white, ivory and tan. Having a set color palette in mind will also help to narrow things down when shopping for styling pieces.

Mix things up with different textures, metals and vessels to keep it interesting! Just be sure they work within your color palette. A shelf full of ceramic accessories will fall flat and look one dimensional. This is why it’s important to add in varying textures and materials and will help add some much needed dimension to your space! And don’t be afraid to go big. Larger items will help to ground the space.

Be sure to add varying heights on your shelves to create some depth. Stacking books and various accessories is a great way to achieve this. Things like decorative boxes, candlesticks and matching vase sets are all great options. Sometimes you might have a small accessory that you love that just doesn’t seem to fit in anywhere. Try stacking it on top of some books or on top of a bone box and that should do the trick!

When grouping items together, be sure to use the rule of three. Items paired in odd numbers are more visually appealing! This will help to keep your shelves looking balanced and clean. If something feels off, try adding in odd number groupings and see if that helps!

This is key! Don’t try to fill every square inch of your shelves. It’s important to leave some white space for balance and eye rest. Especially with enclosed bookcases or built-ins. They can quickly start to look cluttered and sloppy if you try to overdo it. When in doubt, less is more!

Be sure to step back often while styling to get the full view. Sometimes what looks good up close doesn’t have the same effect when viewed from across the room. Don’t be be discouraged or afraid to re-style and try out different layouts. Sometimes trial and error are the keys to finding the perfectly styled shelf!

• To help stay on a budget, shop your house first! What items can you repurpose or pull out of storage to use again? This will help keep excess spending to a minimum.
• Prior to shopping, make a list of items you need to purchase for styling your shelves. Do you need a set of color coordinated books, or maybe some small textured baskets? This will help keep you organized and on track while shopping.
• Take a picture of the bookcase or shelves you’re styling and take it with you if shopping in store. That way if you’re not sure if something will coordinate with your space, you have a photo to reference.
• Be prepared to either make some returns or make multiple trips to shop, whichever you prefer. I tend to buy more than I need, that way I have lots to choose from and play around with while styling. You never know what you’ll end up using! I’ll then just return the items I don’t end up using
• Try to shop multiple retailers for a good variety and to ensure that your items aren’t all too similar.
• Are you using your shelving for functional storage? Add baskets on even levels to create symmetry!

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And that’s it! Pretty simple and straightforward. It takes some practice, but these guidelines should help you stay on track. I’ve really come to love styling shelves and even find it therapeutic! Let me know what you think in the comments and be sure to follow along on Instagram for more tips and inspiration!

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