I know that the details matter when putting together a cohesive look.
The same goes for decorating your home.
One area that is often overlooked is shelving – those empty ledges lining your walls that have so much potential!
Shelves are prime real estate for adding visual interest, displaying your personal style, and showcasing beloved items.
Today I will provide you 13 creative ideas to make the most of the shelving in your living room.
We’ll look at ways to incorporate color, texture, personalized elements, and more to take your shelves from boring to bold.
From adding lighting to arranging books and travel souvenirs, we’ll explore techniques to create shelving that complements your existing décor while showing off what makes you unique.
Read on for an inspiration boost and tips to give new life to oft-neglected shelves!
With a mix of DIY projects and shopping recommendations, you’ll be ready to decorate shelving that wows.
✨Click to Get My 101 FREE Designer Room Ideas
Display colored glassware or vases for an elegant look. Play with heights and patterns
Look for glassware and vases in a variety of hues that complement each other.
Mixing colors like blue, green, purple and clear glass creates an eye-catching display.
Stick to a color theme or choose contrasting colors that pop.
Collect pieces in different shapes, sizes and silhouettes.
Stack circular bowls with tall angular vases for visual interest.
Play with heights by placing larger statement pieces in the back and smaller items in front.
You can also install extra shelves or risers to add more tiers.
Angle some pieces for asymmetry.
Turn some vases vertically and lay others on their side.
Play with direction to avoid looking too rigid.
Group items together in odd numbers like three or five.
Varying heights look more organic and artistic.
Add candles or flowers to bring in pops of color.
Fresh florals contrast nicely with colored glass.
Include reflective pieces like cut glass or mirrored vases to catch and reflect light beautifully.
Don’t overlook the bottoms of glassware and vases.
Displaying them outward shows off intricate designs and patterns.
Consider spacing between pieces.
Allow negative space to let the collections breathe.
With a spectrum of colored glass in varied shapes and heights, your shelves will have a gorgeous, elegant look.
The colors and light will enliven any room.
Get creative with mixing, angling and spacing items.
Show off travel souvenirs like postcards, statuettes, or unique items found abroad
Display postcards in an overlapping collage or line them up neatly in album sleeves to showcase destinations.
Group by location or color scheme.
Utilize mini easels, stands or wall hooks to display small paintings, pottery or wooden figurines found while traveling.
This shows them off individually.
Arrange collections of small curios together in a decorative bowl, tray or shadowbox.
Bottle openers, coasters, mini flags and more create eclectic charm.
Showcase interesting foreign currency.
Frame bills or coins in floating box frames or acrylic cases on ledges.
Add a label noting the location.
Incorporate globes or travel guides to enhance the worldly theme.
Prop them up with bookends for visibility.
Add personalized elements like maps with pins showing visited sites, passport cases or boarding passes in frames.
Display photos from trips in casual arrangements or uniform frames.
Images instantly evoke nostalgia.
Rotate souvenirs seasonally if you have an extensive collection.
Keep it fresh and engaging.
Group items by location or color story to look cohesive.
Themed shelves (Italy, Asia, etc.) tell a visual story.
Displaying travel mementos adds global flair and a fun way to reminisce.
Shelves let you appreciate souvenirs daily, recalling treasured adventures.
Arrange framed family photos to create a personalized gallery wall
Collect framed prints and photos in a variety of sizes and shapes for visual interest.
Mix 4×6 prints with larger 8×10 or 11×14 photos.
Opt for simple black, silver or white frames for a clean, cohesive look.
Wood tones like espresso also work for a homey feel.
Arrange frames close together, overlapping edges slightly.
This creates a collage effect as opposed to distant spacing.
Place larger frames lower and smaller frames higher to give height and depth.
Cluster 3-4 smaller frames within larger pieces.
Angle some frames against the wall or lay them flat instead of just upright.
This adds asymmetry and dimension.
You can include a couple decorative frames without photos to break up filled spaces.
Incorporate family heirlooms like antique mirrors or paintings.
These add cherished memories.
Use LED strip lighting or picture lights to illuminate your wall art and photos.
This showcases the display.
Choose a gallery wall space visible from sitting areas to enjoy the familial decor.
Hallways or above sofas work well.
Update and add new frames occasionally.
Rotate photos to keep your gallery wall fresh and evolving.
Personalize your living room and bring loved ones into your decor with a meaningful, memory-filled gallery wall above shelves.
A collection of framed family photos will warm up any space.
Add soft lighting with LED strip lights or table lamps to draw attention to decorative items
LED strip lights add a modern, minimalist look.
Stick them to the underside or sides of shelves to illuminate displayed objects with a soft glow.
Choose warm white for a cozy vibe.
Opt for adjustable table lamps or accent lighting with directional heads to focus the light right where you want it.
Aim at specific items to spotlight them.
Look for small, unobtrusive fixtures like ceramic table lamps or picture lights.
These provide ambience without being visually overpowering.
Position lighting at different heights and angles to add dimension.
Try lighting the shelf itself on top and underneath to prevent shadows.
Timers or dimmers allow you to control the lighting effects.
Slowly brighten lights in the evening for a relaxing ambience.
Go for energy-efficient LED bulbs to save energy and keep bulbs lasting longer without frequent changes.
Layer lighting for different effects.
Try overhead lighting for overall illumination paired with localized lamps.
Choose bulb color carefully.
Warm white enhances wood tones and ivory decor.
Cool white light works better on metals and clean, modern spaces.
Lighting can make displayed objects pop!
Extend their visibility and beauty into the evening with strategic shelf and accent lighting.
Creative lighting takes shelving displays to the next level.
Illuminate your treasures and keep the focus on special shelves with LED strips, directional lamps and more.
✨Click to Get My 101 FREE Designer Room Ideas
Organize books by color or subject, rotating them spine out or flat to create visual texture
Organizing by color creates a rainbow effect.
Arrange different color spines in gradient order or group colors together for blocks of color.
Sorting books into categories and genres keeps similar titles and subjects together.
Separate with bookends for definition.
Face book spines outwards in a row so the titles are visible.
This allows you to easily browse while keeping a tidy appearance.
Displaying books horizontally with just the pages showing, or vertically with the spines out, adds dimensional variety.
Mix in objects like bookends, vases or decor items between stacks of books to break up the literary theme.
Alternate stacking books upright and laying them flat to create visual layers and depth.
Try sorting by book height and size.
Cluster small paperbacks together and arrange taller hardcovers in the back.
Don’t overlook the aesthetics of book jackets and covers.
Bindings with intricate patterns and colors make a statement.
Lightly dust and maintain books to keep them looking fresh.
Periodically rearrange, edit or update covers.
Let go of perfection.
An orderly yet collected, curated look has more charm than militant precision.
Books enrich a room with color, knowledge and character.
Organizing and displaying them creatively highlights their beauty, subjects and your style.
Incorporate plants like succulents or vines to bring nature indoors
Succulents like echeveria, jade and aloe are low maintenance and come in fun shapes and colors.
Cluster together for impact.
Trailing vines like pothos or philodendrons can hang over the edges of shelves for a cascade effect.
Opt for plants in hanging planters or small pots that can sit directly on shelves without taking up too much space.
Place larger statement plants like fiddle leaf figs or snake plants on the floor next to shelving units to complement the height.
Add grow lights or plant lights to shelves to help supplement sunlight for healthy plants if the space lacks natural light.
Incorporate plant stands, planter boxes or shelving units specifically designed for indoor plants to conveniently display greenery.
Choose a mix of lush, leafy plants and more sculptural succulents and cacti for visual variety.
Use plants to add pops of color like pink anthurium, purple waffle plant or red aglaonema.
Maintain plants by dusting leaves, removing dead growth and watering regularly so they stay healthy.
Rotate plants seasonally to keep things fresh and allow different plants to shine.
Incorporating living plants brings vibrancy, freshness and natural style to shelf displays.
Let greenery be your décor by creatively working plants into shelves and surroundings.
Showcase antique collectibles like cameras, typewriters, or music boxes
Curate a specific collection like vintage cameras, classic typewriters or retro music players.
Display them proudly together.
Use risers, stands or acrylic platforms to neatly showcase each antique.
This helps highlight them individually.
Arrange items thoughtfully against a contrasting backdrop.
Black shelves make metal mechanicals pop while wood shelves suit classic typewriters.
Incorporate memorabilia like antique photos, manuals, equipment cases or related ephemera.
This adds context.
Display items in use, like an open vintage typewriter with a typed page in it.
This creates an engaging vignette.
Add lighting such as small directional lights to highlight key antique pieces in your collection.
Limit décor around antiques so the collectibles remain the focus.
A few complementary vintage books or travel stickers can work nicely.
Clean and care for collectibles so they maintain their charm.
Research proper preservation for more fragile items.
Rotate which items are displayed if you have more in your collection than shelf space.
Refresh it seasonally.
Arrange antiques thoughtfully with space between each item.
Avoid clutter and let their details shine.
Showcasing nostalgic collectibles and antiques adds vintage flair to any room.
Decorate shelves to exhibit your most precious retro finds in their best light!
Display artful baskets or trays to corral remotes, candles or other small accessories
Woven baskets in natural materials like rattan, seagrass or wood lend an earthy, textured look.
They keep items contained while complementing the shelf.
Metal and wire baskets have an industrial, modern feel.
Use them for an organized, curated appearance.
Look for baskets in varied shapes, sizes and openings to house different items.
Combine and nest them for more flexibility.
Trays are great for displaying items decoratively while containing them.
Opt for trays with lifted edges or rims to prevent rolling.
Arrange trays and baskets symmetrically or asymmetrically to add visual interest.
Angling or overlapping creates dimension.
Use baskets or trays to group like items on a shelf.
Contain remotes in one, candles in another, accessories in a third.
Choose neutral, stained or colored baskets to blend in or make a statement.
Bold hues contrast nicely with wood shelves.
Incorporate baskets and trays in different textures like ceramics, metals, rattan and wood for an eclectic look.
Label or stencil baskets to keep their contents organized.
Use chalkboard paint for an erasable option.
Empty and edit basket contents seasonally so they don’t become cluttered catchalls.
With handy baskets and trays corralling items, shelves stay neatly organized and aesthetically styled.
Containing small accessories prevents clutter while adding texture.
✨Click to Get My 101 FREE Designer Room Ideas
Add height with wall-mounted étagères or floating shelves
Étagères with open backs anchored to the wall maximize vertical storage and visibility.
Stagger them at different heights for a layered look.
Floating shelves mounted just below the ceiling draw the eye up and make a tall statement.
They are great for displaying art or collections.
Shelves mounted at alternating heights create a staircase effect.
This allows you to climb up the wall with decor.
Incorporate a few thin, delicate shelves to break up larger wall expanses without overpowering.
Choose materials like wood, glass or metal to complement your decor style.
Iron pipes or reclaimed wood have an industrial vibe.
Use wall-mounted shelves in corners or narrow wall spaces that lack floor space for traditional shelving units.
Make the most of awkward angled ceilings and attic spaces with customized floating shelves.
Paint the backing wall a bold color before mounting white shelves.
This makes displayed items pop.
Consider the weight of items when choosing shelf brackets and mounting hardware.
Follow any provided weight limits.
Add LED strip lighting along the sides or undersides of shelves to illuminate displayed objects and the wall.
Defy gravity and limitations by utilizing vertical space!
Wall-mounted shelving adds stylish and functional storage at varying heights.
Incorporate artwork, sculptures or other distinctive objects
Sculptural pieces make excellent statement pieces on shelves.
Opt for medium to large sculptures that won’t get lost or overwhelmed by the space.
When displaying artwork, choose solid supportive shelves.
Lean canvas paintings against the wall or place framed prints flat to allow appreciation of the image.
Incorporate cultural artifacts, vases, or decorative objects with personal meaning or found on your travels for a signature style.
Use artful books like coffee table volumes or architecture books to add visual interest.
Stack horizontally or prop open.
Arrange collections like minerals, shells, or music boxes to showcase different textures and details.
Add lighting like picture lights above a shelf to illuminate and draw attention to finer details.
Stage art pieces thoughtfully with negative space around them.
Avoid clutter competing for attention.
Rotate pieces seasonally if you have an extensive art collection.
This keeps the shelves novel.
Group small sculptures on risers or acrylic platforms so they are visible and not hidden behind larger items.
Choose a neutral backdrop like wood, white or black shelves to allow the art and objects to take center stage.
Incorporating eye-catching three-dimensional art, sculptures and objects adds striking focal points to shelving displays.
Alternate objects with decorative boxes, vases or baskets for an eclectic look
Choose a variety of box shapes and sizes – square, round, metallic, wood, etc.
They add great vertical and linear contrast to curvier objects.
Vases provide height and color pops.
Use tall, bold vases as focal points and smaller ones to supplement.
Baskets in natural materials like rattan, jute and wood lend organic texture.
Nestle smaller ones into larger baskets.
Alternate laying objects flat and propping some upright for dimensional variety.
Stack boxes and books vertically.
Mix glossy and matte finishes like sleek ceramic vases with rustic woven baskets for visual interest.
Display functional boxes for storage alongside purely decorative accent pieces.
Combine purpose and flair.
Incorporate objects in an odd number groupings – sets of 3, 5, 7 etc.
This looks more organic than even pairings.
For an intentionally random look, vary heights, materials, and sizes.
Embrace eclectic personality.
Leave negative space between groupings to avoid clutter.
Let the eye travel across appealing vignettes.
Change up object arrangements seasonally to refresh the look.
Rotate new flea market finds into the mix.
Blending decorative items creates alluring shelves full of visual textures and treasures.
Display meaningful objets d’art alongside functional storage for artful harmony.
Use a mirror as a shelf to add depth and reflect light
Lean an ornate, framed mirror against the wall on a shelf for a striking decorative accent.
Choose a mirror with a unique shape or intricate frame to showcase.
Affix a small floating shelf bracket to the bottom of a mirror to create a functional shelf.
This adds storage and dimension.
Angle the mirror slightly to bounce light across the room.
Facing it toward a light source amplifies illumination.
Place flameless candles or small décor items on the mirror shelf.
Their reflections create a doubled visual effect.
Choose a mirror with beveled edges or etchings to add character.
The detailing will reflect and multiply the designs.
Arrange a long mirror horizontally above a shelf unit.
This makes the whole display appear wider and lighter.
Incorporate mirror-backed shelving or cabinetry for a see-through effect.
This works well in entryways or small spaces.
Use mirror strips or appliques as shelf backing.
This adds subtle shine and expands the sense of depth.
Try laying decorative objects on their sides along the mirror shelf.
It seems to suspend them and enhance visibility.
Opt for safety-backed mirror or acrylic mirrors if using around kids.
Solid shelves work better for heavy items.
Mirrors lend light, dimension and visual expansion – plus reflective decorative allure!
Use mirrors imaginatively as shelving to open up and illuminate any room.
✨Click to Get My 101 FREE Designer Room Ideas
Arrange candles, small pots of flowers or other warm, inviting décor
Group candles in coordinating styles, heights and colors for visual impact.
Mix pillar candles, votives and taper candles.
Choose scented candles to add lovely aromatherapy.
Citrus, floral, and spiced scents are uplifting.
Incorporate candle holders in varying materials like glass, metal and wood for an eclectic look.
Display floral arrangements in accent colors that pop against neutral shelves.
Rotate blooms seasonally for fresh pops of color.
Use small pots of succulents, air plants or flower cuttings for organic texture and natural beauty.
Cluster decorative bowls, vases or bottles on a shelf as a simple yet elegant vignette.
Add warm lighting like table lamps or wall sconces above or beside shelves to create cozy glow.
Fold soft blankets draped casually over shelves for textural contrast and hygge appeal.
Arrange framed family photos, travel souvenirs or handmade crafts to personalize shelves.
Limit embellishments to let candles and florals shine as the focus.
Allow negative space around and between items.
A few well-placed candles, blooms and heartwarming touches make shelves warm and welcoming.
Simple yet thoughtful vignettes delight the senses and uplift the spirit.
Shelves offer endless possibilities for stylish and functional living room décor.
When decorating, consider your personal style, collections and treasures you want to display, and the overall aesthetic of the room.
Play with eclectic mixes or coordinated vignettes, colors, textures and lighting effects.
Showcase your books, plants, artwork and meaningful mementos.
Arrange and edit shelves seasonally for a fresh feel.
Most importantly, let your shelves reflect your tastes and bring you joy.
With a little creativity, these display spaces can become focal points filled with visual interest to liven any living room.
