How to Decorate Open Shelves

Open shelves are a popular way to display your belongings in a visually interesting way. They can also be used to create storage space in a small room. If you are considering adding open shelves to your home, here are some tips on how to decorate them.

What is the best way to decorate Shelves?

Here are a few best ways to decorate shelves:

• One way to decorate shelves is by colour: This can be done by painting the back wall of the shelves a certain colour or by hanging a colored tapestry or curtain behind the shelves. 

• Another way to decorate shelves is with lighting: This can be done by placing spotlights on the shelves themselves or by installing rope lighting along the top of the shelves. Lighting can help to highlight certain items on the shelves and give the area a more dramatic look. 

• Finally, accessories can be used to decorate shelves: This might include placing vases, books, or other decorative objects on the shelves. Arranging these items in an interesting way can help to create a visually appealing display. 

By considering these various options, you can find the best way to decorate shelves for your home.

Ideas for How to Decorate Open Shelves

Open shelves can be a great way to organise your home and store your items efficiently. When decorating open shelves, it is important to choose the right items to put on them. Here are a few ideas for how to decorate open shelves:

1. Bring together similar items to theme your shelves
2. Include some contrasting items to add variety
3. Store everyday Items on your shelves
4. Use items that reflect your personality and interests
5. Hide clutter on baskets
6. Divide Your Shelving into sections
7. Arrange frequently-used items on lower shelves
8. Place larger items in the centre of your shelves
9. Balance the shelf ends with similar objects
10. Layer your items to fit more on the shelves
11. Fill the remaining space with smaller items
12. Check your decorating after taking a break
13. Establish a colour theme throughout your room
14. Match the shelf and decoration style to the room
15. Paint the back wall a simple colour if your shelves are busy
16. Use bold paint or patterned wallpaper if your shelves are bare
17. Decorate the area surrounding the shelves sparingly
18. Simplify the decor if you display other items nearby
19. Review your decor on Occasion

1) Bring together similar items to theme your shelves

If you like decorating, there is no need to go crazy with your home’s design. By adding comparable furniture, decorations, and accessories, you can create a uniform appearance for your open shelves with relative ease.

For instance, if you have several bookcases and are looking for a simple method to brighten them up, try adopting the same colour scheme throughout. This will assist to create a unified appearance and atmosphere in your house. This method may also be used to other pieces of furniture, such as lamps and side tables.

2) Include some contrasting items to add variety

When it comes to adding visual appeal to open shelves, there are a number of options. In the shown example, the shelves are adorned with things that are both complementing and contrasting. This enhances the overall visual appeal of the room.

Using brightly coloured things to distract from the absence of furniture is one possibility. For instance, adding a bright vase on a shelf that is otherwise empty might make it seem more vibrant and welcoming. In contrast, adding modest objects such as candles or votives may provide a feeling of intimacy to your shelves.

3) Store everyday Items on your shelves

If you’re like most people, your shelves are overflowing with supplies that you don’t use everyday. Whether it’s tools or medicine, it’s a waste to have them stored on the floor or in the closet. Here’s an easy way to spruce up your shelves and store everyday items easily:

• Decorate with colourful notepads and markers.
• Keep small items like screws and nails in a labelled container on the shelf.
• Store larger items in baskets or on the floor instead of on the shelves. This will make it easier to grab what you need without having to search through a pile of clutter.
• Use lightweight baskets or storage containers so your items won’t take up too much space on the shelf.

4) Use items that reflect your personality and interests

In order to create a cohesive and visually appealing open shelving system, start by selecting items that reflect your personality and interests. For example, if you’re a fan of vintage decor, use antiqued items to fill your shelves. Alternatively, if your favourite pastime is spending time outdoors, feature nature-themed items near the ceiling. The key is to mix things up so every shelf has its own unique look.

5) Hide clutter on baskets

By installing open bookshelves in your house, you may reduce the amount of clutter and make your living area more efficient. However, if there is an excessive amount of clutter in the baskets, it may be difficult to locate the specific item that you are seeking for.

Concealment of the clutter on the shelves themselves is one solution to this issue that might be considered. This may be accomplished by storing smaller goods in decorations, baskets, boxes, or other ornamental objects like boxes and baskets. This will make it simpler to see what it is that you are searching for and will reduce the likelihood that you may take anything by accident that is not meant for exploring purposes.

6) Divide Your Shelving into sections

Creating a well-organised and pleasing home interior is easier said than done. One way to make your life a little bit easier is by dividing your open shelves into sections according to type of item. This way, you can find what you are looking for much more quickly.

For example, if you have bookshelves, divide them into fiction and non-fiction books. If you have a lot of vintage DVDs, organise them by genre (comedy, drama, action). By doing this, you will be able to see what you own more easily and make more informed choices about what to watch. Not only will your shelves look neater, but you’ll also be able to save yourself time and money in the long run.

7) Arrange frequently-used items on lower shelves

If you have open shelves in your kitchen, it’s time to start arranging your frequently-used items on the lower shelves. This will make it easier for you to grab what you need and less clutter will be present.

Here are some ideas for arranging your items on the lower shelves:

• Put all of your cans and bottles in one area. This will make it easy to grab a can or bottle when you need it.
• Stack all of your dishes in one pile. This will make them much easier to grab and move when you need them.
• Create a pantry area by stacking all of your packaged food items on one shelf. This will make it easy to grab what you need without having to search through a bunch of boxes.

8) Place larger items in the centre of your shelves

Open shelving is a fantastic method to both organise your house and give the impression that it has more room than it really does. On the other hand, adorning them might be quite difficult due to their size. The following are some suggestions for different ways to properly decorate open shelves.

Position the larger objects on your open shelves so that they are in the centre. This will contribute to the establishment of harmony and rhythm in your house. It also makes it simpler to see what is stored on each shelf and lessens the likelihood that anything will fall off the shelf.

Pick up objects with bold hues or interesting patterns to bring out the natural elegance of the open shelves. This will give your house more character and vitality, giving it the impression of being more engaged and friendly to guests.

9) Balance the shelf ends with similar objects

When decorating open shelves, it is essential to balance the shelf ends with pieces of a similar kind. This can assist create a unified appearance for your room and avoid stuff from being missed or forgotten. Balanced objects may also assist visually anchor the shelf and prevent it from seeming too empty or out of place.

When selecting products to balance the open shelves ends, you should consider the design of your area and the most often used items. Try placing lighter things, like bowls or vases, on the top shelf and heavy items, such as books or statues, on the bottom shelf if you have a contemporary area with little conventional decoration.

10) Layer your items to fit more on the shelves

Open shelving is a fantastic method to both arrange your house and keep products in a location that is simple to get to whenever you need them. You can get additional products to fit on the shelves by stacking them in various tiers.

For instance, you may stack items that are taller on the bottom shelf, then use items that are shorter on the middle level, and finally use items that are shorter once again on the top shelf. You’ll have more space to keep your things this way, and they’ll be much simpler to get to when you need them.

You may also stack various kinds of things on the same open shelves if you want to do so. On one top, for instance, you might arrange bookshelves that are brimming with books, and then on the next layer, you could put pots and pans in such a way that they are simple to see and reach.

11) Fill the remaining space with smaller items

Consider utilising smaller objects to decorate your open shelves. This will help distinguish the space and make it more noticeable. You may also utilise various colours or patterns to provide visual appeal.

Using things with vibrant colours is one method for achieving this goal. On one of the open shelves, you may place a yellow light and on another, a green plant. You may also use vibrant vases or flowers to bring vibrancy to the room.

Additionally, you may use smaller pieces of furniture to fill the area. For instance, you may build a small table or cabinet between the open shelves. This will increase the depth and intricacy of the shelves.

12) Check your decorating after taking a break

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the idea of reviving your home decorating after a long break, take some inspiration from these clever open shelves ideas. From a Scandi-inspired collection of vases and bowls to a rustic farmhouse look with jars and barn wood accessories, these clever open shelves solutions will help you spruce up your home without breaking the bank.

• Start with an eclectic mix of objects on open shelves. This works best if you have a range of items in different shapes and sizes that can be mixed and matched.
• Use natural materials like stones or driftwood to add interest and character to your shelves.
• Add a touch of colour with brightly-colored objects like umbrellas or flowers.
• Use coastal elements like shells or seaweed to add an element of nature to your shelf design.

13) Establish a colour theme throughout your room

When decorating your open shelves, you should consider a colour scheme that will unify the room’s appearance. This may be accomplished by the use of complementary colours or a single dominating colour. For instance, if you have a blue and green room, you may use blue as the dominant colour and green as an accent. Alternatively, if your room is yellow and brown, you may make yellow the primary colour and brown an accent.

Regardless of your choice, it is essential to consider the overall aesthetic of your area. Choose bolder hues, such as red, orange, and yellow, if, for instance, your furniture is current or modern. Choose muted hues like beige and pale green if your furniture is of a classic design. The trick is to ensure that everything seems harmonic and coherent while also allowing each element to retain its individuality.

14) Match the shelf and decoration style to the room

It is essential that the design of the area be taken into consideration whenever you are accessing your open shelves. To achieve this goal, you may make use of a wide selection of products to fill in the places that are vacant.

If you want your space to have a contemporary and minimalist feel, you should utilise basic colours and clean lines. Use things such as lace curtains or ancient photos to create a style that is influenced by the past. Choose unfinished wood or natural materials to get the look of a more authentic country cabin.

Regardless of the design direction you choose with for your open shelves, you should make sure that the pieces you pick out compliment one another and meet the vision you have for the room as a whole.

15) Paint the back wall a simple colour if your shelves are busy

When it comes to open shelves, it is essential to remember that the rear wall should not be ignored. It is likely that you keep the goods that you use the most often on this row, despite the fact that it may be inconvenient to have to reach for anything there so frequently.

You might try painting the back wall a basic colour that will help you keep track of what’s on top of it if you want to make things a little bit simpler. In order to make it even more easy, you may opt to install some shelves straight into the rear wall of the room.

16) Use bold paint or patterned wallpaper if your shelves are bare

Using bold paint or wallpaper, you may add a splash of colour or design to open shelves that are otherwise unadorned. You may even combine the two for an even more striking impact. You might, for instance, apply a green and yellow stripe on a white backdrop to produce a vibrant and dynamic appearance. Alternatively, you may use paisley wallpaper to give your shelves an antique appearance.

Make sure the design coordinates nicely with the rest of your home’s aesthetic. If your shelves are in the living room, for instance, avoid excessive colour or pattern. In contrast, if your shelves are in a bedroom, use a light and airy material.

17) Decorate the area surrounding the shelves sparingly

When decorating the area around the open shelves, it is essential to consider the available space and what would look well. Consider how you might use sparsely designed spaces to your advantage to avoid overcrowding shelves and obscuring display goods.

This may be achieved by placing tall plants or flowers in miniature vases or clay pots. This will provide height and dimension to the area while still allowing for enough storage space. You may also add a few tiny potted plants on the shelves to break up the monotony.

Alternatively, you might utilise a few vibrant table runners as wall hangings. These may serve as the room’s main point, providing colour and vibrancy to an otherwise dull environment.

18) Simplify the decor if you display other items nearby

If you have open shelves in your kitchen or living room, it can be a challenge to find the perfect decor. Displaying other items nearby can help simplify the look. Here are a few ideas:

• Use baskets to organise small appliances, pots and pans, and other cooking tools.
• Hang pot holders, dish towels, and other kitchen utensils on hooks above the shelves.
• Place cookie jars and other baking supplies on the shelves.
• Arrange photos and mementos from family vacations or special events near the cookware and dishes.
• Display vases of fresh flowers or plants near the cookware.

19) Review your decor on Occasion

Adding some flair to your house can be accomplished in a number of ways, and open shelving is one of those ways. Not only can it be used as a platform for storing objects, but it can also be utilised as a platform for exhibiting works of art, collectibles, and other items used for decoration. Open shelving is a fantastic option for redecorating any area in your house, whether you want to freshen up the appearance of your living room or your kitchen.

Using a variety of materials is a straightforward method for simplifying the aesthetic of open shelves. You have the choice of going with natural materials such as wood or stone, or you may go with solutions that have more of an industrial feel, such as metal or plastic. You may also create a one-of-a-kind style by combining components made of various materials.

Look at These Ideas to Decorate Open Shelves

Conclusion

Whether you choose to decorate your open shelves with personal items, trinkets, or knick-knacks, the goal is to make them look and feel like an extension of your personality. By following these simple tips, you can create a beautiful and personalised display that will add character and style to any room in your home. Have you tried any of these ideas?

Frequently Asked Questions