Styling Open Shelves

Styling open shelves is something that can either make or break a space, and we all have them. Open shelving… whether in the form of glass fronted or an open kitchen shelf, bookshelves, built-ins, etageres, etc. When you get the mix wrong, it just throws a well-designed space off. And boy can it shine when you get it right.

Formula or Not for Styling Open Shelves?

I don’t think there is a formula, but like anything in life, it definitely involves balance, both in color, placement, and visual weight. I also believe the shelf should include a majority of what it was intended for. For example, if it is a bookshelf in a library or office, it should include a majority of books. Or if it is an open kitchen shelf, it should mostly include dishes or tabletop items. This can be countered-balanced with other items of interest, like art or sculpture, organic items such as shells or rocks, maybe a vase or candle.

Textures to Consider

I would also think in terms of textures and dimensional shape, round vs linear, shiny vs matte, dark vs light. Look at the shelf from different vantage points in the room, too. Take a photo of it and see if you notice anything differently in a framed camera image vs against the whole room. It is a fun exercise!

And just when you’ve gotten it right, force yourself to change it a few months later. Maybe add some seasonal items of interest. It should be fluid and reflect your newest treasures or whims!

Examples of Styled Open Shelves

When I get bored or need a change, I take everything off the shelves and then start fresh with adding the items that must go there first, and replacing the ones I am temporarily tired of looking at. Sometimes I stack things differently to look cleaner and more organized, and other times I have two stacks of the same items to create balance. It all depends on the mood.

Here are some other examples of open shelf styling I found on Pinterest featuring the work of Paloma Contreras, Athena Calderone, and Shae McGee to name a few. Here are their examples:

I particularly like this last image. It isn’t too busy, includes books since it is in a den, but used the books in a visually stimulating way to create order and niches or the vases and art displayed. Definitely appealing to me. So have fun with your shelves, experiment, and change things around when you get bored or want to add something new.