6 Must-Haves to Style the Perfect Shelves
Bookshelves can be one of the most interesting—or underwhelming—areas of your home. Putting them together in such a way that reflects you and your personal style is as easy as introducing yourself to someone you’ve just met, once you understand the basics! First things first: take the pressure off yourself by keeping in mind that there is no wrong way to style a shelf. Your bookshelves, regardless of which room it is in the house, should reflect YOU and your own unique story.
A shortlist and a few recommendations can take some of the guesswork out of assembling the pieces for your shelves. Let’s get started!
1. Personal Mementos
Remember the interesting pieces you’ve picked up over the years from your travels, or ones that have been passed down through your family that you love? Put together a shelf to showcase memorable objects that tell stories about the special places you’ve been or memories you’ve made. A bookshelf is also the perfect spot to showcase small items and collections you have, too.
Consider grouping your mementos on an attractive tray.
2. Book Collections
From a series of favorite novels to beautiful coffee table books, books are fundamental pieces for any well-assembled shelf. Start by choosing several coffee table books—books that showcase your hobbies, places you’ve traveled (or dream of traveling to), and topics you enjoy are a good place to start. Every great coffee table book should also include great photography!
If you’re a book lover or collector, stack a series of classics together, or keep a group of books about a similar topic placed together on the same shelf.
3. Framed Photos
Framed photos can stand out and tell a story when placed together on the same shelf! Choose similar or coordinating frames for a bigger impact. Keep your more personal images on shelves in your bedroom, and showcase your favorites in the common areas of your home. Layer the shelf by setting some frames on a small stack of books and keep some directly placed and layered on the shelf themselves.
4. Catch-all
Catch-alls or a small, shallow basket are the perfect spot to keep groups of small items on a shelf. Think match books from your favorite restaurants, wine bottle corks, and other groups of tiny mementos you just can’t seem part with yet.
5. Small Framed Art
If you have a single small piece of art that’s framed or sitting on stand, put it on your bookshelf next to a stack or small row of books. A bookshelf is the ideal place for a smaller art piece that isn’t part of a group of similar or matching pieces.
6. Greenery
There’s no wrong spot for a small house plant in an attractive pot or cache. Living plants bring a fresh element to the heavier pieces often found on shelves, incorporating a perfect balance and some bright, natural colors.
