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Are you wondering how you can create a beautifully designed open shelf? This post is all about how to style open shelves. We show you how you can recreate 5 looks in your home and all our favorite items to put on shelves.
How many times have you stared at your shelves unsatisfied by how they look? We know this is one of biggest things people have a hard time with. However, you don’t need to stress any longer, we have provided some beautiful inspiration and design tips for you below!
Floating shelves can be tricky to design and style. Many times, you want an open-shelf look or have a cabinet of open shelves, however you don’t know how to make them look presentable.
Depending on how many shelves you have to decorate in one space, there are tricks to the styling trade. Whether you have one, two or ten open shelves to decorate, we are going to show you ways you can recreate popular looks straight from Pinterest!
We are going to show you how to style open shelves 5 different ways + our favorite things to put on them to make them look beautiful. Furthermore, these styling ideas are meant to inspire and are ones that are easy to recreate!
This post is all about how to style open shelves.
How to Style Open Shelves 5 Ways
1. Create a Drink Bar with Open Shelves in Your Kitchen
We love the idea of providing a functional and beautiful way to style open shelves in your kitchen. Whether you are an avid coffee drinker or prefer an alcoholic beverage every now and then, you can personalize this space to your beverage needs. The top shelve is for decorative purposes only, while the bottom shelve has beautiful glassware that’s easily accessible.
Below are similar items to help you recreate this look!
2. Display Antique Finds + Dishware in Your Kitchen
This is another popular way to style open shelves in your kitchen, and one of our favorite ways as well! We are a sucker for antique finds, and these shelves create a moment for each piece placed on them. We love the way the plant and bowl of fruit add texture and dimension, while the other elements are more neutral toned and clean lines. Each piece compliments each other so well.
Below are similar items to help you recreate this look!
3. Open Shelves in a Bookcase
Whether you have an open bookcase in your living room, office, or bedroom, these styling tips can most certainly apply! There’s something so pleasing to the eye when you group objects in odd numbers. These shelves were intentionally designed to please your eye in that way—starting with the group of three cow bells on the bottom shelve, to the odd number of objects placed on the second shelf.
Your eyes are similarly drawn to the center shelves, because they hold more items than the bottom and top shelf. This is a great way to add contrast and allow the eye to be drawn to a focal point.
When you style shelves with more items on them, it’s a good idea to use different materials that help to complement each other. For example, on the second shelve there are two gray toned books stacked on each other with a small, cream potted plant placed on top. These objects are complimented by the light grey, decorative vessel that’s placed next to an abstract, natural-toned branch.
Below are similar items to help you recreate this look!
4. A Functional Open Shelf in an Entryway
Anytime you can add functionality to a design, is a design well planned. We love the idea of adding an open shelf that doubles as a hooked rack in the entryway of this home. This is a great way to create an entry space that provides a home for your belongings, while not taking away from the space’s beauty.
Adding a simple, neutral bench below your hanging purses and scarves provides a space to put on shoes before you head out the door!
Below are similar items to help you recreate this look!
5. Open Shelving in the Bathroom
Open shelves in a bathroom are one of our favorite things! It makes your space feel elegant and spa-like! They also make your bathroom feel bigger! We recommend putting a large woven laundry basket, like the one in the picture, below your open shelves.
To start, we recommend making the lowest shelf this an accessible shelve for neutral-colored bath towels–just as this design shows.
Secondly, the middle shelve is a perfect place to store other smaller linens and bath products. Using a medium woven basket creates storage for those items, while still looking beautiful.
Lastly, feel free to decorate the top shelf with a low maintenance plant and a candle. You could even group a set of three small vases as well! Additionally, mix and match items that reflect your personal style as well!
Below are similar items to help you recreate this look!
That’s all for the 5 Ways to Style Open Shelves + Our Favorite Things to Put on Shelves! When we are wanting to recreate a popular look, we know these type of posts are always super helpful! Furthermore, we hope you found inspiration in these looks above.
Let us know what your favorite look was in the comments below, and tell us whether you felt inspired to create your own beautiful shelf design! Happy decorating!
