Styling and accessorizing shelves and tables can be daunting! It is easy to toy with the line between making a beautiful statement and making your shelf or table look cluttered, which is a statement in itself, just not the one you want to make. Even bookshelves have become a means to display art and decor and less about their original purpose of storing books. You might be asking yourself, “How do I store my items AND display them beautifully? Do I have enough? When is it too much? Where do I even begin?” Piece by Peace Designs is here to help by providing some of our best tips and tricks!
1. LESS is MORE!
If you take anything from reading this blog post, let it be this tip- Either group items in threes, or keep an object by itself. Looking cluttered is not the goal. This even applies to color. If you want to incorporate color, use that color one time per grouping and a maximum of three times in the overall design.
Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule. For example, in the photo of the cutting boards, there are three of the same object with a smaller fourth object. This would be okay since the grouping of three is of the same object. This same exception applies to books.
2. Utilize Books as Décor
We aren’t talking about your favorite book series like Harry Potter or A Court of Thorns and Roses. Though they are excellent reads, they are not what you’d want on display. Instead, use large, hardcover, unique, decorative books. You can even stack them in an atypical way, like laying flat with an object sitting on top, as seen in the photo.
Of course, you still may use books sitting upright, but pair it with a decorative bookend! If you are an avid reader styling a large bookshelf full of books, these two book tips are an excellent way to create unique focal points in your display.
3. Layer Items of Different Heights
This rule is taken directly from nature- mountains and cacti are perfect examples- they all have different height elements that draw the human eye. You want to create this same display in your home. Remember tip number one? Keep height in mind when you group three items together. If all your accessories and décor are the same height, they wouldn’t add any visual interest to your design.
4. Use a Photo or Framed Art in an Atypical Way
Framed art is not just for hanging on walls, and the built-in stand on the backs of photos is not the only way to use them on a shelf. Instead, try leaning them against the wall or the back of a bookcase. This technique leaves plenty of space for layering other items in front of the photo, or it can remain a stand-alone item.
5. Incorporate Greenery
Whether real or faux, greenery is a fabulous way to add a pop of color, height, and an element of nature to the accessories in your space. If you are unsure how to add color to your styling, incorporating greenery is the easiest way to achieve that desired look. As a bonus, greenery can also add height to your styling. Think outside the box by playing around with height in a unique way by using String of Pearls, Devil’s Ivy, or any other vine-like plant, to drape down into the shelf below. The possibilities are endless!
We know styling and accessorizing can be a challenge, but practice makes perfect! If you are unhappy with your initial design, scrap it and start again! We do that all the time! Just keep these five tips and tricks in mind and your design will surely turn out better than you imagined. If you use these tips, take a photo, and tag us on social media; we’d love to see them!