What to Keep on Your Shelves Besides Books

Show Off Your Photos. Less is more is a frequently-used adage for a reason, but it doesn't always apply to interiors — as these eclectic built-in shelves prove. ...
Vintage Touches. ...
Splash of Color. ...
Trendy Elements. ...
Modern Accents. ...
Curated Collection. ...
Playful Sophistication.

What should I put on shelves?
What do you put on empty shelves?
How do I make my shelves look nice?
What to do with extra shelves?
What to put on high shelves?
What do you put on tall shelves?
What do you put on floating shelves in living room?
How do you decorate built-in wall shelves?
Can you have too many shelves?
Why do decorators put books on shelves backwards?
How do you arrange things on shelves?
How can I make a cheap bookshelf look expensive?

What should I put on shelves?

What to Put on Decorative Shelves

Plants (mostly faux for me due to my black thumb 😉 )
Books.
Vases, pitchers, bowls, baskets, and other vessels.
Vase fillers.
Picture frames.
Small mirrors.
Letters or monograms.
Candles.

What do you put on empty shelves?

Bookshelf Display Strategies

Idea #1: Balance books with decorative items. ...
Idea #2: Create symmetry. ...
Idea #3: Leave some empty space. ...
Idea #4: Add interest with leaning books. ...
Idea #5: Stack books for variety. ...
Idea #6: Use a limited color palette. ...
Idea #7: Cover books in uniform paper. ...
Idea #8: Arrange books by color.

How do I make my shelves look nice?

For shelves that feel full and finished, mix and match bigger and smaller pieces to create a layered look. Try starting with a few large staple items, and then accessorizing with smaller, more intricate objects. Combining larger and smaller pieces creates a balanced look.

What to do with extra shelves?

Whether you've got one bookcase to repurpose or 20, I'll show you some adorable and really functional ways to reuse them.

DIY Repurposed Bookcase Bar Table.
Easy Bookcase Headboard.
Upcycled Bookcase Coffee Table.
DIY Bookcase Container Garden.
Repurposed Bookcase Lockers.
Adorable Recycled Bookcase Dollhouse.

What to put on high shelves?

Paint. Use paint to enhance the high shelf area before placing decorative accents on it. ...
Plants and Pots. Place a variety of plants on the shelf to add greenery to the area. ...
Vases. Arrange decorative vases -- in different sizes, heights and shapes -- on the ledge to add interest. ...
Art and Pictures. ...
Baskets.

What do you put on tall shelves?

Placing objects there can highlight tall ceilings or simply provide space to display big, dramatic pieces that won't fit on the shelves below. Another great way to add height to decorative shelves is with large posters or artwork.

What do you put on floating shelves in living room?

10 Different Ways to Style Floating Shelves

of 10. Try tiny triangles. ...
of 10. Use all surfaces. ...
of 10. Store children's books. ...
of 10. Pick out chunky wood. ...
of 10. Use all angels. ...
of 10. Create a playful display. ...
of 10. Make a statement. ...
of 10. Elevate art.

How do you decorate built-in wall shelves?

The Dos and Don'ts of Decorating Built-In Shelves

Don't – Force or Rush the Process.
Do – Shop Your Home for Accessories.
Do – Add Books.
Don't – Spend Too Much on These Books.
Don't – Water the Greenery on the Shelves.
Do – Vary Height, Texture, and Objects.
Don't – Go Matchy-Matchy.
Do- Add Meaningful Decor.

Can you have too many shelves?

You can never have too many shelves! Bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms are often shelf 'poor'. That means you have to create your own or buy stand alone pieces of furniture to house your goodies. This post has 25 great shelving ideas for your walls.

Why do decorators put books on shelves backwards?

The main argument for why designers like this look is that it shows the whites of the pages, creating a cohesive color palette on your bookshelf. “I love the sculptural effect you get by facing the pages out,” Meininger added. ... "I hated how we had so many books, but they were all different colors," she said.

How do you arrange things on shelves?

The basic rule of thumb for decorating bookshelves: one-third books, one-third accessories, and one-third empty space per shelf. If you're short on storage, fill the bottom shelf with identical boxes or baskets. Organize 60 percent of books vertically and 40 percent horizontally to create both balance and spontaneity.

How can I make a cheap bookshelf look expensive?

Add Molding to Make It Look More Expensive

Fine furniture is usually finished with as much trim and molding as the style allows. Thus, you can make a cheap bookcase look more expensive by adding molding—even if it starts as an everyday laminate piece.