The Hidden Secrets to Styling Shelves and Bookcases

Looking at your empty shelves and bookcases might make you feel overwhelmed and irritated. Even the thought of decorating them might make you feel nervous. Most often, the problem is you don’t know where to start from.

Different questions start popping inside your head – How do I decorate them to look good? Do I need to combine different items together? Do I need to arrange it by colour? There are many options for creating a cosy and comfortable environment in your home. Here are the hidden secrets to styling shelves and bookcases in your home, provided by painters and decorators working with Fantastic Services.

Decide on the Type of Interior Styling

Before deciding how to decorate your bookcases and shelves, it is essential to think about the style you’re aiming for. Is the living room furnished in a contemporary style or a more traditional look?

Transforming shelves by decorating or redecorating with minimal funds is more complicated than it sounds. You need a few fresh ideas, some handy tools, and patience. Keeping a colour palette might also be very helpful in the interior styling process. If you prefer a contemporary or modern space, then you’ll probably want to stick to decorative pieces that are sleek and simple in design.

Start Styling Shelves at the Top

Professional decorators always recommend styling shelves at the top and working your way down. Also, empty the shelves as that will make it much easier to envision where to place what. Another great tip is to group the items by size.

For a more interesting, stylish, and beautiful look, you should get some:

• plants
• artwork
• bookends
• empty vases
• picture frames
• printed quotes
• books of different sizes
• decorative boxes
• trinkets
• artificial flowers
• battery-operated candles
• figurines

Make sure you have selected items of various sizes, colours, and styles.

Add Height and Depth

To create a sense of increased height in the space, it is recommended to add height to the shelves. This will draw the eye upwards, giving the illusion of a taller area. Additionally, any professional decorator will tell you to incorporate depth between the styling items.

Achieving a balanced overall appearance is the goal, and distributing visual weight plays a crucial role in this process. It is important to take your time when styling, ensuring that you are not rushed. The key is to mix and match items, aiming for balance rather than symmetry. This can be achieved by strategically placing taller items in different locations until the arrangement appears balanced.

Remember not to rush the process; take a few steps back and carefully assess the arrangement. If necessary, make adjustments or rearrange items to achieve the desired effect. Proper spacing between items is essential to avoid an overcrowded look.

Implement Larger Scale Items

To achieve an aesthetic balance, you need to implement larger-scale items. And remember, larger items are supposed to be placed first. There are a few reasons to do so. First of all, these objects stand out more, and it’s easier to create visual balance by arranging smaller items next to the larger ones.

Another tip for beautiful shelf styling is placing taller items in the back. These can be tall vases, picture frames, plants, or portraits. The tall items should go in the back row so that it’s easier to group other decorative items. Achieving a variety of heights, sizes, looks, and types is your goal.

Layer Decorative Objects

By layering objects, you can add dimension and complexity to the overall design. As you embark on the process of layering decorative objects, it’s important not to overthink it. Allow yourself the freedom to experiment and make changes along the way. Taking a few steps back and evaluating the overall look of the shelves will help you assess the composition and identify areas that can be improved.

If something doesn’t feel quite right, don’t hesitate to make adjustments or swap out certain items. Don’t be worried about making changes along the way. Remember, the process of styling shelves is a creative one, so don’t be afraid to trust your instincts and have fun with it. Take a few steps back, evaluate the overall look of the shelves, and then make changes if you feel like doing so. Also, don’t forget to leave enough space between the different objects so that the shelf doesn’t look ‘’crowded’’ and overwhelming.

Add Plants

Once you’ve finished placing all the items on your shelves and bookcases, it’s time to add some greenery. Plants elevate the overall look of the shelves, and they’ll be your best friend when interior styling. It’s best to choose tropical plants for shelves and bookcases because they tend to stay small and look very stylish.

When selecting pots or planters for your green companions, you have the opportunity to further enhance your styling concept. Opt for pots that align with your overall aesthetic, be it minimalist, bohemian, or eclectic. Stylish and funky pots can add a pop of colour, texture, or pattern that complements the surrounding items and adds an extra layer of visual interest to the shelves.

Consider the scale and placement of the plants within the composition. Taller plants can be positioned towards the back or corners of the shelves, creating a sense of verticality and adding depth to the arrangement. On the other hand, smaller plants can be nestled among books or placed on lower shelves to provide a balanced distribution of greenery throughout the space.

Make Use of Textures

By incorporating various textures, you can introduce stylish elements that break the monotony and add depth to the overall aesthetic. These textured elements will not only provide a pop of colour but also contribute to an impressive and cohesive visual appeal. Consider incorporating silver or gold figurines, vibrant bookends, faux flowers, and other decorative ornaments to achieve this effect.

When selecting textured elements, consider how they complement and harmonise with the other objects on the shelves or bookcases. Aim for a cohesive look by choosing textures that align with your overall styling concept. By carefully curating and arranging these textured items, you can achieve a well-balanced and visually captivating composition.

Conclusion

Even though it seems pretty hard to begin, once you take everything off the shelves and bookcases, you’ll see how many ideas will pop up in your mind. After all, styling your shelves and bookcases will bring a refreshing new look to your place, and you’ll feel much better in this aesthetic environment.

If you’re not certain about your styling abilities, it’s always better to contact a professional decorator handyman for advice or to do the job entirely. This isn’t something you do every day, and you want to make it right! Painters and decorators know exactly what they’re doing, and you won’t regret contacting one.