By: Lavanya ChopraThe task of shelf styling can seem daunting and unnecessarily complex to most homeowners. Addressing this common conundrum, we share with you the advice of our interior design experts, which should come in handy the next time you are styling that picture-perfect shelf.
Be it bookcases, open shelves, or suave built-ins, this read promises to equip you with some budget-friendly, quick, and refreshing ideas that will take your home decor many notches higher!
1. Always Edit First
The perfect Shelfie is achieved when one’s design ethos is curated, intentional, and personalised in its approach. Ensure that you do a thorough declutter of objects. Less is more in this case; one can begin with a few key pieces and layer on per need. An excessive number of objects prevents the eye from appreciating the theme or elements.
Tap into a personalised story or theme and even lean into a few seasonal additions to keep the shelves updated. For the items you want to keep handy yet hidden, opt for aesthetic boxes, baskets, or containers in a complementary (and opaque) material to add more storage to your shelves.
2. Hues and Materials
Colours and their layered palettes can serve as a stimulating binding theme when curating the perfectly styled shelves! If your objects are tones of a dominant colour, consider spreading them across various levels through books, artefacts, trinkets, art, or photographs.
Colours and finishes can be further explored through unifying materials. Elements in metal, glass, ceramic, etc., can be peppered across various parts of the shelf, creating a sense of continuity in the vignette. In addition, one can consolidate the hues and materials in some areas to create a focal frame or distribute them in different spots to create a chic look.
3. Decoding Backdrops
Give your character-packed shelves an added layer of flair with an interplay of colours and finishes in the backdrop. One can choose to go the single-hued route or lean into a contrasting juxtaposition with a differently coloured/patterned background finish that engages the sight further.
Experiment with diverse paint finishes, wallpapers, or even different materials like veneers, laminates, and PU to create a visual that elevates the identity of your built-ins.
4. Scales and Layers
The secret behind an adeptly styled shelf is often the concept of clusters. Objects of a similar nature, when arranged in groups, create an undeniable visual impact. This, in turn, gives the eye a sequence of stunning frames, making the shelves look effortless in their curation. Some popular objects to grace shelves include books, plants, candles, vases, photographs, artworks, and sculptural artefacts.
The trick is playing with various heights and proportions, creating a composition of tall, medium, and shorter objects like a physical collage. The ‘rule of odds’ is a safe theory to incorporate wherein items are clustered in odd numbers to create a harmonious look. Next, balance objects across the length of the shelves, creating multiple anchoring points.
5. An Artistic Touch
Art, when worked into the shelves with restraint, strengthens the identity of a nook while welcoming accents of colour and texture! Add art into nooks of your shelves in the company of books, curios, and plants to introduce an expressive facet of styling.
Define a theme, colour, or medium of choice while scouting for art. Ensure that artworks of various sizes have been introduced across at least 1/3rd of the shelves to maintain a dynamic visual. Experiment with the way your pieces of art are displayed. Mount some prints on larger canvas bases or explore various frame finishes to achieve a slightly elevated, gallery-like look.
Shelves that Speak
The beauty of styling shelves rests in the fleeting evolution of objects, initiating a conversation between the old and new! The sky's the limit regarding how one can design and decorate these nooks, urging one to push the boundaries. Objects can be occasionally swapped, edited, and rearranged to achieve a gamut of versatile looks!
Does designing that swoon-worthy space have you in a fix? Get in touch with our experienced team of designers at Hipcouch to book a free consultation service, or concontact usact us to learn more.