5 Tips for Shelf Styling

About a month ago, I snagged this boho beauty off Facebook Marketplace. I paid a bit more than I might normally, but it was the perfect size to serve a specific purpose. I couldn’t pass it up.

Specifically, I wanted shelving that would fit on top of the porcelain tabletop (that “hides” our dog kennel) that could hide our ugly electrical panel along that wall. Eventually, I’m going to put a back on it and add some neat wallpaper. But for now, it’s perfect.

Today, I wanted to share a five tips for styling shelves

Three is the Magic Number

When you’re starting, you want to work in sets of three: pair three things together, place three different “scenes” on the shelf, three uses of the same color or texture, etc. Odd numbers tend to be more visually pleasing than even numbers. If you want to go for more than three (5, 7, etc.), then have at it! Three packs a visual punch and is a relatively easy goal to meet. If you only have two of something (candlesticks, for example), try adding a book underneath to vary their heights while adding in that third eye-pleasing element.

Group Collections

Displaying all of the pieces of a collection together really packs a punch. Last year, I started collecting vintage shoe shine brushes. I love the texture of the bristles complemented by the smoothness of the wood grain in the handle. I knew I wanted to show them off as a set, so I threw them all together and love how this small little collection looks.

Incorporate greenery or florals

Shelves always look better with some nod to the outside world. A vase of flowers, some sort of greenery. I have both real and faux greenery in my house, and I love the color and shape it provides to a display. Not sure how to make your faux greenery appear more real? Put it into another container and add a little moss at the base. No one will ever know!

Add personal or meaningful touches

Your home should reflect the unique personalities of its people, and no better place exists to show that than on a shelf. Family photos, trinkets from vacations, nods to hobbies. Have fun with it! On this shelf, I wanted to pay homage to my love of literature and women’s history month. I have this fun set of Jane Austen postcards, so I cut one down to fit into this thrifted pressed flower stained glass frame. I also used a few of my grandfather’s old amber beer bottles. Meaningful and pretty, my favorite combination.

Variety is the Spice of Life / Balance is the Bedrock of Stability

This is maybe the hardest design principle of all: Finding the blend of contrast and cohesion. The human eye has a vast array of visual desires, and it simultaneously wants to take in elements that are “related” and cohesive with one another (similar color or texture) while also wanting to see variety in sizes, shapes, and heights to add interest. It’s a hard dance to follow and one that just takes practice. I’ll put things on the shelf and stand back to observe. Pay attention to what happens with your eye. Does it scan or does it rest on one spot? If it rests in one spot, it may be too “heavy” in that area either because it lacks variety or balance. Will you get it all right the first time? Probably not, but practice makes perfect!

I’d love to hear which of these tips you’re planning to incorporate in your next shelf styling!