When it comes to shelves, they’re more than just a practical storage solution, they’re an opportunity to let your style and creativity loose.
Whether you’re decorating kitchen shelves, adding flair to bathroom shelves, or updating the look of wall-mounted shelves in your living room, your shelves are where you can express yourself with décor and objects that mean something to you.
Whether you’re stuck staring at empty shelves and need some inspiration or simply don’t know where to start, our guide is here to help. With these 10 decorating ideas, you’ll have your shelves beautifully styled and perfectly suited to your space in no time.
1. Start with a Blank Canvas
Before bringing your decorating ideas for shelves to life, it’s best to start with a blank canvas by removing everything. This will give you a clean slate, making it easier to see what fits where and how each item complements the next.
Whether you’re decorating wall-mounted shelves in the kitchen or cube shelving in your living room, starting fresh is the key to achieving balance.
2. Use Books as your Base
Books make excellent décor that can add variety to your home.
When choosing books for shelves, look for hardcovers with interesting textures, bold colours, or a stylish spine. Stack them horizontally to create platforms for smaller objects or arrange them vertically to add height.
For a more cohesive look, you can match spines or cover colours to the room.
Top Tip: Decorative books with neutral tones, like beige and white, work well for shelves in living rooms with minimalist décor whereas bolder colours or patterned covers can create a focal point.3. Experiment with Height and Shape
When considering how to decorate your shelves, make use of design rules like layering items of varying heights and shapes. The contrast between taller objects such as vases and shorter ornaments or candles adds visual interest.
Combining items of different shapes on your shelves is also key. Try mixing square and circular objects, like placing a rectangular photo frame beside a spherical lamp to create a dynamic display that draws the eye naturally across the entire shelf.
When decorating kitchen shelves, use this rule by mixing tall jars of dried ingredients with shorter containers or decorative plates. Similarly, an idea for bathroom shelves is to place tall plant pots next to shorter candles or rolled towels to bring a sense of cohesion.
4. Follow the Rule of Three
When it comes to decorating your shelves, balance is crucial – so follow the Rule of Three. This will involve grouping items into odd numbers – like clusters of three – to create a focal point that draws the eye naturally across the shelf. Use items such as decorative bowls or baskets towards the bottom to create a stable base and place smaller, more delicate items, like candles or small plants, towards the top for lightness and contrast.
It’s also worth thinking about the visual weight of your items by using larger objects to anchor your arrangement and smaller items to fill in gaps and create interest. Don’t be afraid of blank spaces either as they can prevent your shelves from looking overcrowded and help to maintain harmony.
Top Tip: You should always consider the size of your shelves and the weight they can hold when selecting items. Make sure larger, heavier objects are on sturdy shelves that can support their weight. Vice-versa for delicate or lightweight items, which can be arranged on higher, less weight-bearing sections.5. Add Personal Touches with Photos and Art
Shelves are the perfect place to display objects that spark happy memories, like family photos, artwork, or travel souvenirs. By personalising your shelves and including meaningful pieces, you’re making a space that feels more inviting and injecting sentimental touches.
Books can be layered against the back of the shelf, with small, framed photos or other cherished mementoes placed in front to create depth.
If you prefer artwork over photos, choose small frames that complement the colour scheme of the room. For a more relaxed yet stylish vibe, illuminate the display with wall lights. This approach works well for decorating shelves in your living room, where you may want to create an alternative to a gallery wall without hammering nails into your walls.
6. Make your Shelves Stylish but Functional
Your shelves don’t just have to look good; they can serve a functional purpose too. Blending practical items with decorative ones is a great way to make the most out of your shelving space. Take your kitchen shelves for example. You could display your most beautiful cookware or jars of frequently used ingredients alongside items like plants or cookbooks for a practical look that’s also easy on the eye.
In the bathroom, your shelves can be used to store everyday items like towels or soap dispensers on decorative trays, with candles, small potted plants, or even a toothbrush holder that will keep the room feeling functional with a sense of charm.
7. Include some Greenery
If you want to give your shelves an uplifting feel, it’s time to bring the outside in by adding some greenery. Plants, either real or artificial, can give your shelf décor a natural, organic feel, while also introducing a fresh pop of colour. If you’re decorating floating shelves, succulents, which need little attention, or trailing plants such as ivy can soften harsh angles and add vibrancy to the shelves in your living room.
For your kitchen shelves, consider using herbs like basil or thyme, which not only look great but are useful for cooking too. While it’s a good idea to use small ferns or air plants on your bathroom shelves as they thrive in moisture-rich environments – they also look cool.
8. Choose Symmetry or Asymmetry
When arranging your shelves, consider whether you want a symmetrical or asymmetrical look.
If your preference is for a symmetrical arrangement, this will involve placing similar items at either end of your shelves for a balanced, structured feel. This a great way to decorate your shelves if you want them to look formal and polished.
Asymmetrical arrangements, on the other hand, involve mixing objects of different shapes and sizes together. So, if you want a more artistic, lived-in feel when decorating your living room shelves, try creating clusters of one item on one side.
Top Tip: Try stacking books or magazines on one side, leaving the other side of your shelf more open to create a dynamic and playful look.9. Showcase Decorative Objects
Don’t be shy when it comes to showcasing your favourite decorative objects on your shelves. Whether a unique sculpture or an elegant candle, these items can let your personality shine through.
If you’re struggling with ideas on how to decorate your kitchen shelves, for example, small ceramic dishes or beautiful glassware can double as decorative and practical elements. On your bathroom shelves, elegant perfume bottles and chic containers can add a touch of luxury.
Top Tip: Too many items can make the shelves feel cluttered, so choose a few statement pieces that reflect your style and arrange them carefully.10. Less can be More
It can be tempting to fill every inch of your shelves, but sometimes less is more. A minimalist approach can create a calming, clutter-free display, allowing a few carefully selected and well-placed pieces a chance to truly shine.
If you’re decorating shelves in smaller spaces, such as bathrooms or a narrow kitchen it’s important to keep them neat and streamlined. Choose only a few items you want to display, leaving some empty gaps to make the area feel open and airy.
Congratulations, now you’re ready to decorate your shelves! If this project has sparked your creativity to freshen up other areas in your home, explore our full range of shelves today to find the perfect fit for every space.
