Shelf Styling 101
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March 2, 2019
Styling is an art I truly enjoy. There’s just something so fun in making things look pretty – which is exactly what styling means to me. In addition to styling clothing and accessories, I also enjoy the home decor sector of styling. While I don’t consider myself a pro in the slightest, I do think I do a pretty good job for my tastes. Here are the tips I’ve learned along the way for styling shelves:
1. Declutter
Visible shelves should be clean and organized. I prefer not to pack the space too tight for more of a minimal look. Shelving should serve as extra storage, but it also needs to be pleasing to the eye since it is so visible in a room. That being said…
2. Function
I mean, the whole point of having a shelf or shelving unit is to store and maximize space, so it needs to be functional, not simply superficial decor. I just moved in with my boyfriend, so making room for both of us in his condo has been a little tough. I needed a place for my jeans, so I stacked them in a cube; I needed somewhere to put my bag, so I utilized a cube for that. And then I added the pretties: my Valentino shoes, my charming books, and candles (a girl can never have too many candles). For me, it’s all about balancing the function with the beauty.
3. Life
Finally, I like to bring home decor to life by adding special touches like personal photos, pretty flowers, or easy plants (like succulents!). Since I just moved, I haven’t had time to add that piece to my shelving unit yet, but definitely plan to very soon!
And stay tuned for a post featuring my work space!
What tips would you add for styling shelves?
Photo by Johnny Cheng.
February 27, 2014 @ 8:32 am
I agree with your tips……but pretty storage boxes….as you will keep adding stuff….and it will clutter again!!
http://vodkaandarose.blogspot.co.uk
February 27, 2014 @ 9:41 am
Yes, storage boxes are SO helpful with keeping clutter to a minimum!
February 27, 2014 @ 8:44 am
I love shelves like this! It looks great!
February 27, 2014 @ 9:41 am
Thanks so much!
February 27, 2014 @ 10:57 am
Love these tips! I hate clutter but sometimes found my unused items make pretty displays
Emma | With A City Dream
February 27, 2014 @ 12:18 pm
Thanks! I’m the same way 🙂
February 27, 2014 @ 12:43 pm
Yes! It’s very important to have everything organized like this, I recently did the same in my room and realized there were clothes and accessories I didn’t use for a while because I couldn’t see them!
February 27, 2014 @ 5:24 pm
I totally have that problem too! I think I’ll continue to rotate the items I display on my shelves.
February 27, 2014 @ 1:10 pm
I LOVE this <3 I freak out if everything isn't organized, I am so afraid of clutter! I agree that the purpose of having a shelf or shelving unit is to store and maximize space. Love they way you styled your space <3
February 27, 2014 @ 5:24 pm
Thanks so much! Glad you like! It’s a work in progress 🙂
February 27, 2014 @ 4:21 pm
baskets – cute baskets! love them!
February 27, 2014 @ 5:23 pm
Such a great tip!! Baskets are so super helpful for keeping the not so pretty things out of view!
February 27, 2014 @ 8:36 pm
I wish my shelves could look like this! I really have way too much stuff and need to declutter. I’m moving in with my boyfriend in a couple months, so hopefully I can have shelves that look like this. So pretty!
February 27, 2014 @ 9:12 pm
It’s the perfect opportunity to re-evaluate your belongings. I have SO much stuff I don’t need or use, so when I moved in here, I got rid of a ton. It is so refreshing to live a simpler lifestyle!
February 27, 2014 @ 9:47 pm
Great tips. I have an entire bedroom dedicated to being a wardrobe and it is utter chaos!
http://www.kindoflovely.com
February 27, 2014 @ 10:47 pm
That sounds amazing!! The best kind of chaos 🙂 haha
February 27, 2014 @ 11:18 pm
I have way too much clutter to have pretty shelves like you do!
Lisa K.
February 27, 2014 @ 11:49 pm
Maybe I’ll write a post on decluttering and the joy of simplicity soon! 🙂
February 28, 2014 @ 9:11 am
Looks great. Thanks for the tips.
February 28, 2014 @ 11:20 am
Thank you! 🙂
February 28, 2014 @ 1:16 pm
Thank you so much for the tips! I’m a very tidy person but for shelves I’m not hahah:) I will try them right now!! xx
February 28, 2014 @ 2:55 pm
I would love it if you instagrammed/tweeted a pic and tagged me! I wanna see how you style them! 🙂
February 28, 2014 @ 7:07 pm
love these types of shelves
March 1, 2014 @ 3:31 pm
Me too!
February 28, 2014 @ 10:58 pm
these are great tips! I have a few shelves in my room but never know how exactly to style them.
xo Sydney
everydaysouthernprep.blogspot.com
March 1, 2014 @ 3:31 pm
Thank you!
February 28, 2014 @ 11:37 pm
These are lovely tips. I need to do something for organization for all of my stuff.
March 1, 2014 @ 3:32 pm
Thanks so much!
March 1, 2014 @ 2:39 pm
This is beautiful, I need to take some notes here!
March 1, 2014 @ 3:32 pm
Thank you! I will be sharing more home decor posts soon!
March 1, 2014 @ 10:06 pm
I love this article, Megan. I bought a bookshelf last summer that was manufactured incorrectly so the shelves don’t sit at 90 degrees. I’ve found ways to make it work through styling each shelf and many of my home’s visitors think it was supposed to come with those angled shelves. It’s all about the styling, like you said! I still have yet to add flowers, but I think that’s a great tip on how to bring the shelves to life.
March 2, 2014 @ 6:35 pm
Thank you! That is so great that you made something cool and unique out of an error! We can’t really stop the unexpected from happening, but we can handle it well and you did just that in this situation! It makes sense that you’re in PR 🙂
March 2, 2014 @ 1:00 am
I love this! I have so many shelving units that always look so cluttered and gross. These are all great tips, and I will have to try them soon! xx, Elizabeth
http://www.octoberjune.com
March 2, 2014 @ 6:33 pm
Thank you! Let me know if you try it 🙂
March 3, 2014 @ 10:45 pm
Great shelf tips and ideas ,I arrange all stuffs in one cartoon boxes got from local grocery store for keeping the stuffs and in place
March 3, 2014 @ 11:25 pm
Thank you! That’s a great tip! 🙂
March 4, 2014 @ 4:41 am
Your shelf looks great! I guess the only thing I could add is to decorate to suit your personal tastes and you could change it up quite often to suit your mood!
March 4, 2014 @ 2:49 pm
Thanks! I actually do change mine often! Great point 🙂
March 6, 2014 @ 1:06 am
I agree with everyone, shelves look great! I also like the pretty storage boxes or baskets to keep yourself from re-cluttering what you just uncluttered! I have way too much stuff too!
March 6, 2014 @ 3:43 pm
Thank you! I actually added some baskets and it has helped a lot! 🙂