Shelf Styling Tips

by Deb Presutto
Shelf styling, Shelf Styling for Large Shelves, Neutral Shelf Styling, Shelf Styling Tips

Styling shelves can be challenging and time consuming, especially if you have really large shelves. I wanted to provide some shelf styling tips to get you started and hopefully they help you bring your own shelves to life! As an artist, I am always thinking about design when I create new pieces so this was a natural extension of what I do.

  1. Measure | The first thing I do is check the measurements of the shelves - not just the length but the height of each shelf. For this project, they were 18” high so I wanted to make sure that each shelf had at least one item that was ~ 3/4 of the height or more. That way it fills the space and is to scale. When things are too small, the entire design falls flat. These shelves were also each 65” long so I knew I was going to need ALOT of items.
  2. Select Materials | I always look for a variety of textures/materials so that there is a lot of life to the shelves (even if you keep it neutral). Mixing different metals, textured boxes, ceramics, glass, beads, wood tones helps bring it all together. If you want something coastal, lean more toward woven or rattan, shades of wood, beads, and softer colors. If you like more modern, go heavier on the metals/black or things with a cleaner edge.
  3. Add Greenery | Adding greenery in any form brings a natural element to the shelves
  4. Use a “V” shape | I like to use a “V” or upside down “V” to make sure the items follow that path - you don’t want everything to be the same height or size. One great way to make sure this happens is to add books in places that need extra height. 
  5. Add Art | I am obviously very biased as an artist myself but this does a lot of things. First, adding frames fills a lot of space without having to do a lot of work. Second, you can choose art that has a lot of color if you’re trying to get some pops of color in or go very neutral so that it doesn’t clash with the rest of the space. You have so many options by choosing art. Also, this allows you to get personal if you want. There might be a piece of art that really speaks to you or reminds of you of a special vacation/anniversary spot and that adds meaning to the space.


I hope this helps! 

Styling + Photography: Me :)
Interior Design: MBM Design Co.

SOURCES:

Top Shelf | Striped bowl, Mini footed bowl, Glazed Tray, Mango Wood Circle Sculpture (small), Mango Wood Circle Sculpture (large), 'This is Home' book

Middle Shelf | Brass Candle Holders, 'Forever Beautiful' book, Wood Chain Link Decor, Hand Painted Stoneware Vase, Art (10"w x 8"h) - frame size is 11" x 14"

Bottom Shelf | Woven Basket (smallest), Brass Candle Holders, 'de Gournay: Hand-Painted Interiors' book, 'Joie: A Parisian's Guide to Celebrating the Good Life' book, 'Beautifully Organized: A Guide to Function and Style in Your Home' book, Mini bowl

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