How to Decorate Shelves for a Stunning Display, According to Designers

If you've always wanted to incorporate well-styled shelves into your home but have been daunted about starting the process, I'm here to help.

I've decorated many different built-ins and bookshelves in my various apartments over the years and am here to share some of my tried and true styling tips with you. Read on for a step-by-step look at how to decorate shelves like a pro and bring those blank spaces to life.

Assemble Your Collection

The first step to styling your bookshelves is to assemble everything that you plan to display in one place. For example, I like to lay all of my books and accessories out on the floor near my shelves so that I can easily view everything that I have on hand.

Getting a sense of how many books you own (as opposed to trinkets, bookends, boxes, and the like) will also help you develop your general strategy as it pertains to spacing. You don't want to spread out items too far apart from one another and realize you can't fit everything onto your shelves midway through your styling project.

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Sort Books and Decor Into Piles

Looking at your entire collection of books and styling accessories will also help you determine which types of items go together. It's entirely your choice whether you wish to sort books by color, topic, and the like, but you'll definitely want to think about their size and shape.

On my own built-ins, I like to alternate between stacking books and standing them upright. Before setting anything on your bookshelf, you may wish to make some preliminary piles with books that you'd like to place next to each other, simply based on size alone.

You can do this with decor, too. For example, maybe you own a cluster of small figurines that you'd like to display all together on one shelf; place those next to one another so that they're ready for styling.

Take account of all of the storage boxes, picture frames, and accessories that you own and divide those up among your shelves to create a balanced look.

Cut the Clutter

By no means do you need to fill every inch of space on your built-ins, even if you're a maximalist. Allow some breathing room to create a collected-looking and aesthetically pleasing shelf setup rather than one that is chaotic and overwhelming.

Be mindful of the decorative items you're displaying on your shelves, too. If they don't speak to you, part ways with them. It's better to style your shelves with objects that truly make you happy than with ones that you bought solely to make your room look more complete.

Don't Pressure Yourself to Finish Styling in a Day

By no means have I ever styled one of my bookshelves to completion in just one day. With any styling project, it's helpful to step back (both literally within the room and figuratively) and consider whether you like how things are looking or if you need to shop (or shop your home) for additional items.

If your bookshelves are full of chic accessories but you're short on actual books, go through your home and round up some titles that may just be waiting to be displayed. Keep in mind that even items that you may traditionally not store in the living room (such as small vases, extra candlesticks, and canisters can all look beautiful on shelves when styled well.

Best Tips for Decorating Shelves

I tapped a few interior designers to gather some of their best tips for decorating shelves, too. Below you'll find key pointers from the pros:

Be Sure to Layer and Mix Materials

"The act of layering accessories is the key to a curated, collective look," Traci Connell, the founder of Traci Connell Interiors, says.

Do not stick to one material; rather, weave in all kinds of decorative objects. Connell enjoys working with plaster, metal, leather, and greenery all at once.

Stick to Small Decorative Items

Steer clear of too many small items when it comes to styling a large piece of furniture such as a bookshelf.

"My rule is to make sure none of your accessories are smaller than a cantaloupe," Rachel Cannon, the founder of Rachel Cannon Limited, says. "When you buy small items, you need more of them to make an impact, and that’s why things end up looking cluttered,"

Don't Be Afraid to Rotate Your Items

If you own many different decorative items, consider displaying them at various times rather than all at once.

"That will refresh the look, as well as give you a chance to continue enjoying your collection," Ashley Ferguson, the founder of Ashley Ferguson Interiors, says.