Interior designers know that you don’t always need new furniture or a new shade of paint to upgrade your living space. Sometimes, simply accessorising your shelves is enough to transform your interior. Get it right and you’ll turn a storage solution into a showcase for your unique style. Here, we’ve rounded up our top tips for decorating shelves so that you can achieve a designer look in your home.
The Art of Styling Shelves: A Designer’s Guide
Like all the best home décor ideas, styling your shelves begins with curation. First, select the items that you think you might like to display. Next, lay them all out to get a sense of the sizes, colours and materials you have to work with. Think about creating groups of different materials and heights to place on your shelves, and make sure to leave some empty space to avoid any hint of clutter.
Must-Have Accessories for Perfectly Styled Shelves
While we tend to think of bookshelves as a home just for books, introducing a variety of different accessories will elevate your arrangement:
• Bookends – choose modern design bookends that blend with your décor for a functional piece with visual appeal
• Decorative Vases – whether you display them solo or filled with flowers, these will introduce colour and height to your shelves
• Statues and Sculptures – marble, metal or ceramic figures are a wonderful way to express your personal taste
• Oil Diffusers – coloured glass oil diffusers add vibrancy to your room as well as infusing it with scent
• Paperweights – not just for the office, these look perfect on top of a stack of books or magazines
How to Mix and Match Books, Art and Décor
How to blend books, art and accessories? Arrange books both vertically and horizontally to create interest, and use stacks of books as pedestals for art pieces such as ceramic figures. You can incorporate a framed work of art by leaning it against the back of the shelf – a visually pleasing way to create a break in a row of books.
The Rule of Three: Designing Shelves with Harmony
One of our favourite bookshelf decorating tips is the rule of three: arranging items in groups of three for a dynamic display. For example, try teaming a decorative vase with a small statue and a stack of art books. The trick is to use a variety of heights and textures within each group.
Styling Shelves in Every Room of Your Home
Home shelf accessories don’t just belong in the living room. In the kitchen, display cookbooks alongside ceramic bowls or olive oil jars. In the bedroom, showcasing a small stack of books beside a soothing oil diffuser will promote relaxation. For the bathroom, add vases of flowers to a shelf display of neatly folded towels and decorative bottles.
Shelf Styling Tips for a Designer Look
Want to know how the designers do it? Follow our shelf decorating tips:
• Declutter Regularly – review your shelves and remove clutter periodically to maintain an elegant look
• Vary Height and Textures – create groups of items in different sizes and materials for an appealing look
• Introduce Greenery – add natural elements with fresh flowers and plants
• Refresh Seasonally – rotate your shelf décor to create a display that chimes with the season. For example, add candle holders for a cosy winter feel.
By choosing carefully, you can create a display that transforms your shelves from something functional into a focal point of your interior. Explore our collection of home accessories at Knot Home to find bookshelf décor that reflects your style and enhances your space.
FAQs
How do I choose a carpet that complements my shelf décor?
Choose a carpet that picks up the colours and themes in your shelf accessories for a harmonious look.
Should I use rugs in a room with open shelving?
Yes, of course! Carpets can echo the colour palette of your shelf display to create a cohesive and inviting feel.
How do I balance shelf accessories with the textures of my carpet?
Layers of contrasting textures will enhance your room. Try balancing sleek shelf accessories with soft, plush carpets and vice versa.
