Tips For Styling Open Shelving
Whether you’ve got floor-to-ceiling bookcases, a sole decorative shelf for displaying art and tchotchkes, or open shelving above your kitchen counters, arranging items on any shelf without it feeling cluttered or unintentional is not always an easy feat. But we’ve got tips to help marry functionality and esthetics so you can employ that shelf of yours in a useful yet visually pleasing way. So, let’s get to it!
Declutter
The first step in so many design and redesign endeavors is to clear out any unnecessary clutter or items that do not serve the space. Consider which items you no longer care for, which items belong elsewhere, and which items no longer serve a purpose. If the minimalist look works for you, keep those shelves free of excess odds and ends. If you still have a fair amount of things to organize and display on your shelves, fear not! We’ve got tips below on how best to do so.
Consider Your Colors
One thing worth taking into account is what colors you have to work with as either the core color palette or as accents. Many people have become aware of the trend to organize books by color (like in the image above), and if this is something that suits you, it’s a lovely way to make a bookshelf appear organized and vibrant. Similarly, if the dishware you’re looking to store on your open kitchen shelves is a uniform color, this will immediately create a cohesive color palette to work with. Is organizing by color not your thing or simply not possible? Consider adding a pop of one recurring color (or material) throughout your shelf or shelves to pull an otherwise eclectic assembly of items together. If your favorite bookends are made white ceramic, perhaps also include a white vase on a higher shelf and an oversized white candle on a lower shelf. Stagger this recurring element or color throughout your display to create cohesion.
Mix Function & Decoration
We get it, those shelves above your kitchen counters are meant for dishes, cups, and mugs. But that doesn’t mean you can’t add a little visual interest and splash of life by displaying a few complimentary décor items in a tasteful manner, if you have the room for it. In the kitchen, maybe those accent pieces are potted herbs, an heirloom ceramic pitcher, or a bowl of fruit. In the home office, maybe they’re your collection of antique cameras, as in the above photo. Whatever you choose, just make sure these accent items are cohesive and compliment the rest of the shelf and surrounding room.
Add A Plant Or Two
Adding greenery to any display can bring life (literally) to a space by adding variety, texture, and warmth. If you don’t have a lot of shelf space to work with, consider a small succulent or a vase with some petite flowers. If you have more space to fill out, do so with two or three staggered plants like in the image above. You can even use these plants as your recurring accent color mentioned in our earlier tip.
Stack
A fun little trick to add a touch of variety and interest to your shelf is to play around with stacking items. In the above photo, a few books are turned on their side to serve as the bookend on the shelf. The small succulent adds an accent and pop of interest. Think about what other items might lend themselves to being turned on their sides or stacked to create a cohesive and eclectic look.
Vary Heights For Visual Interest
When designing a shelf display, drawing the eye to different heights can add visual interest and a sense of intention. Pair a medium sized painting with a smaller one by its side, as in the display above, or cluster tchotchkes of varying sizes together – just be sure to place the largest items towards the back and the smallest towards the front to guarantee no items are obscured from view, which could give a cluttered and unintentional appearance. Our best advice while arranging items of different sizes? Play around with it! Don’t be afraid to arrange and rearrange to find what feels right.
