18 Tips for Decorating Any Living Room Shelves

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Discover 18 tips for decorating any living room shelves to enhance visual appeal while improving the organization and functionality of your space. Incorporating these tips into different types of shelving in your living room decor can make it a more enjoyable space for relaxation and entertainment.

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What to Put on Living Room Shelves

There are so many things to put on shelves to elevate your living room decor:

Books stacked vertically and horizontally.
Art prints in small frames or leaning canvases.
Sculptures or figurines
Candles or candleholders.
Plants, real or faux in pretty planters. Tailing vines also work well.
Bowls and trays.
Ceramic or glass vases.
Personal items like travel souvenirs, heirlooms, etc.
Baskets or boxes are great for storage.

Tips for Decorating Any Living Room Shelves

Shelves decor, like console decor, can significantly elevate your living room by adding functionality and aesthetic appeal. When strategically placed, shelves provide storage and serve as a canvas for personal expression through decorative items, books, and art.

Balance & Symmetry

Arrange items with visual weight balanced from side to side. You don’t need to be perfectly symmetrical, but balance tall and short, heavy and light, and colors. Texture is also important, especially for a cottagecore or boho chic living room.

Vary Heights and Shapes

Mix tall and short items, round and rectangular objects to keep the eye moving.

Layering

Layer objects by placing smaller items in front of larger ones. For example, place art in the back and candles or vases in front.

Use the Rule of Thirds or Odd Numbers

Use the rule of thirds or odd numbers to group items in threes or fives for a more natural, styled look.

Leave Space

Don’t overcrowd your shelves with decor items. Let them breathe by leaving space between.

Stick to a Color Palette

Use a consistent color palette with complementary colors to avoid visual chaos.

How to Decorate Floating Shelves

Introduced by Scandinavian and Nordic decoration, floating shelves are particularly advantageous due to their minimalist design that creates an illusion of more space. They can be installed at varying heights, allowing for customization based on your decor style and the items you wish to display. This versatility makes them ideal for showcasing smaller decorative pieces or plants without overwhelming the room.

Keep it light

Using fewer, lighter-looking items on floating shelves can appear minimalist.

Play with asymmetry

Avoid centering everything. Play with asymmetry because offset placement looks modern.

Add soft elements

Add soft textures like small plants, woven textures, or draped beads to add visual interest and variety.

Use repetition

Repeating a set of similar objects spaced evenly can be very stylish.

How to Decorate Built-in Shelves in a Living Room

Built-in shelves offer a seamless look that integrates with your existing architecture. One of the primary advantages of built-in shelves is their ability to maximize space efficiently, especially in smaller living rooms where every inch counts. They can be designed to fit into alcoves or awkward corners, providing ample storage while maintaining a clean and organized appearance.

Work with the architecture

Paint the backs of the shelves a contrasting color to highlight items.

Anchor with a Main Piece

Feature one main piece per shelf or anchor with books and add small decor.

Add lighting

Puck or LED strip lights add depth and highlight special items.

Create visual “stories”

Think in small vignettes creating visual “stories”. For example, add on a book stack a small candle and a mini sculpture.

This monochrome living room layout combines a gray left-arm chaise and a cube bookshelf with blossom wall art and gray decor items.

Featured items:

Wall art | redbubble.com
Cube bookshelf | wayfair.com
Left-arm chaise | westelm.com
Throw Pillow | redbubble .com

How to Decorate Glass Shelves

Glass shelves bring an element of elegance and sophistication to any living room. Their transparency allows light to flow freely through the space, making rooms feel larger and more open. Additionally, glass shelves are easy to clean and maintain, which is another advantage for busy households looking for stylish yet practical solutions.