We recently ditched our buffet and pipe shelving situation we had going on in our living room for this huge bookcase! I was worried when I ordered the bookcase that it would look cluttered (and I hate clutter!) but it actually looks minimal and perfect in the space!
I like to be intentional when styling a shelf – If you place items on the shelf with purpose and intent, you avoid the packed / clutter-y look.
We bought this bookcase for our living and painted the shelves Sherwin Williams, Alabaster twice (long story but trust me, use SW ProClassic paint when painting wood).
Here are a few tips from yours truly regarding shelf styling!
6 Tips to Styling Shelves
1. Shop your home!
Go through your home and find spare decor pieces and books that might work on the shelf.
2. Start with larger piece / art work.
I ordered this print from Juniper Print shop and put it in this frame (I stole from our guest room) for the top shelf. I also turned this wicker bowl on its side to add some height and texture to one shelf.
3. Work in groupings.
Rather than spacing out your items evenly across your shelf, group items together in groups of two or three.
4. Do not put items right on top of each other.
As you can see, every other shelf has two groups where the other shelves have three groups. This prevent groupings from being stack on top of each other.
5. Add in the books!
Books make great shelf decor! It doesn’t even have to be a pretty book – Turn the book so the pages are showing (not the spine) and you can’t even tell your styling your shelf with “Junie B Jones” books. 🙃
6. Use baskets.
Baskets add warmth and texture – Whether you use baskets to store toys (like I’m doing) or turn them on their side to add some height.
Here’s a few things that will help you get started!
Hope this helps! Styling shelves can be intimidating but if you play with it and work in groups it’s east peasy!
Thanks for stopping by, friends!
Jamie
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