Home / Decor 8 years ago

Four Steps to Chic & Styled Shelves

I love a good styled shelf, so I’m so excited to have Kathy Kuo back on the blog to share her four steps to chic & styled shelves! They’re such easy steps that this would be a great weekend project. If you haven’t seen Kathy’s latest posts, be sure to check them out here and here!

featured image via sitamontgomeryinteriors.com
right image via indulgy.com
left image via indulgy.com

1.    Hit the Books:

Whether you’re a big reader with a library full of fun novels, or you just have a few favorites that you use for styling, shelf decorating should start with books. Group your books into small stacks and position them both vertically and horizontally with color peppered evenly throughout the stacks for a curated yet pulled-together look. Grouping by color is an alternate method, but this styling technique should only be used if you have a LOT of books on your shelf and each color will have enough books for a sizable stack. We also like to play with how stacks on a shelf are arranged: some shelves can have all vertical stacks, some all horizontal, and some can mix it up!

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image via indulgy.com

2.    Add Artwork:

Artwork is typically an overlooked accessory that works wonders on a shelf. It adds personality, and it allows you to express your design creativity. Just prop a piece up, or even hang larger pieces for a more “library” look. Artwork also draws the eye to the back of the shelf and allows for a more visually layered look that has depth. Keep in mind that artwork takes up a lot of shelf real estate, so it is a better solve for larger shelves (instead of crowding large shelves with too many small objects).

right image via drivenbydecor.com
left design by stylebyemilyhenderson.com

3.    Mix in Decor:

This is the part that makes shelf styling so much fun! Explore our collection of decor and add all of your pretty items! Objects, sculptures, collections, vessels, flowers… you name it. The key is to provide a healthy mix and to think sculptural. A tip we adore at Kathy Kuo Home, is to use an organic material for a super refreshing look, like our petrified wood slices or a beautiful shell.

left image via decoist.com
right design by sitamontgomeryinteriors.com

4.    Style, Style, Style:

Okay, so now you have all of your shelf styling essentials … But this is only half the battle! The last step is to blend these items together effortlessly for a fresh and cohesive look. Mix together texture, size, and tone, but be sure to keep to a singular color palette or style. Take a look at our moody, black and gold bookshelf as an example. Ensuring your shelf is well-balanced is also paramount. For example, decor on the top left of your shelf should have an equal distribution in weight and similar look with the bottom right of your shelf.