A very popular design element is the open shelf. Styling open shelving can be a fun and creative way to display your belongings while adding character to your space. The most common rooms in our homes where open shelving can be found are living rooms, offices, and kitchens.
Depending on the room, shelving can often serve a purpose as well as look good. In living and family rooms, framed pictures, art, and other meaningful objects can be used to tell a family’s story. In offices, shelves often need to be used for the storage of typical office items such as books, writing utensils and other tools. Kitchens tend to be the most intimidating of the bunch because it is important that they not only look beautiful, but are also functional.
Here are some tips for styling any open shelf effectively:
Breathing Room
Leaving space between and above objects creates breathing room and allows the objects to speak for themselves. Shelves that are too cluttered or crammed can look chaotic and overwhelming.
Create Groupings
Creating groupings of objects can help smaller objects make a bigger impact. A small item all by its lonesome on a shelf will look odd and unfinished. By grouping it together with other items, it can look collected, put together and be beautiful.
Add a Bit of Variety
Having a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes of objects gives the shelves a collected look. But we aren’t talking about a huge variety. Repeating tones, textures, and colors across the space lets each shelf be its own thing, while also belonging to the shelving unit as a whole.
Balance and Symmetry
Similar to having a variety of objects on the shelves, making sure that where they are creates symmetry and balance in the space. One very common technique is to do a “diagonal check.” Making sure that similar items are placed diagonally from each other from one shelf to the next. Balance is also important to consider when thinking about how much to put on each shelf. If shelves are narrow, two or three groupings is all that is needed. While deep and wide shelves need more groupings per shelf.
Experimenting with your open shelving can help you find the exact look you are going for. Don’t be afraid to change it up and play with it! As your design styles and preferences change, so can the objects on your shelves. Changing out items with the changing of the seasons can also help mix it up and keep it interesting.