10 STYLING TIPS FOR OPEN SHELVING

I probably have a million photos of my shelf. And it’s for a good reason. It’s pretty well styled if I do say so myself. Learning to style it was a combination of reading blog posts like this and looking at shelves on Pinterest.

My shelving unit is considerably big because I needed the storage. I have most of my purses on the shelf as well as books and storage boxes containing cosmetics and other beauty items. Thankfully I designed it large enough to have levels that are purely aesthetic. Styling is also very intuitive, however, there are general tips that rarely ever fail when it comes to making flat surfaces look good.

1.COLECT COLLECT COLLECT
A good selection of objects will rarely come at once. Except you gave a large enough budget to shop for every single item when you are ready. Hold on to books you love, posters, decor pieces, photographs, and other objects. They will help the shelf you style to be truly yours. What’s better than looking at things you love?

2.WHAT STYLE? Answering this question is important for the direction you wish to take. You can combine multiple styles but be aware of how they interact is important. Knowing the “ look” you are going for will help with the object selection and placement. I chose an eclectic style for mine!

3.CREATE BOUNDARIES
Think of the shelf as a whole but also use a grid. This will help you create vignettes all through the shelf. Ensure that each vignette feels separate yet flows into the next. The grid is just a template. Avoid gathering objects in the same spot on each row or column. Asymmetry adds interest. You can extend the boundaries of the shelf. Place a plant, a light fixture or some beads that fall out of or drape down the shelving unit.

4.START WITH LARGER ITEMS FIRST
If you also plan to store large items in the shelf, those also need to go in first. Then you can place your large books, vases and objects. Knowing the position of these items will help with scale and you will most likely move them around the least

5.ART IS NEVER A FAIL
Consider placing art pieces of different sizes into the shelving. Art doesn’t have to be expensive. Consider framing a personal photograph, fabric, or a scarf. You can also print free art from the internet, I wrote a blog post about it. Hung art will help develop the background of the smaller items to come.

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6.THINK ABOUT BOOKS Books add bulk and they also add character. Stack books horizontally and vertically for visual interest. An interesting way to display books is to also to turn their spines inward. I recommend thrifting coffee table books and books with interesting spines as opposed to purchasing empty books with designer names on their spines.

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7.THINK ABOUT TEXTURE
Things get interesting when textures interact. Consider placing objects with different finishes on the shelf. Multiple finishes including metals, rattan, and wood amongst others will elevate the styling scheme and help with visual interest.

8.NUMBER AND SCALE CHANGE EVERYTHING
Singular items and items in threes give a balanced feel. This is not a hard and fast rule, look at my monkeys! Don’t neglect scale, shelves look bland when items have the same height or width. Consider varying heights and stacking to create visual interest.

9.KEEP THINGS FRESH
Greenery adds a pop of freshness in to your scheme. Planters are also a good way to introduce texture.

10.USE NEUTRALS
A bold scheme still requires neutrals. Leaving a spot empty or placing a an object with neutral colours will help with balancing the entire scheme.

With all of this in mind. Have fun! There’s no hard and fast rule and it is your shelf. Make sure you love what you see.

I hope this post has helped guide your shelf styling. I’d love to hear from you below. What tips do you swear by when styling surfaces?

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