Have you ever wondered how to style the perfect-looking shelf? Yes? Then this is the blog for you. I’m so glad we are living in a time when it’s okay to have stuff and proudly style it on some shelves.  When I bought my first property in 2000 minimalism was still having a moment and I found myself conforming to the idea that everything should be either thrown away or hidden away. So I’ve been delighted to witness the shelf come back over the last decade. However, the #shelfie trend has made many of us question whether our shelf styling is up to scratch. If your Instagram scrolling has left you feeling a bit average in this department don’t worry. All you need are a few simple steps to help you nail the perfect look.

Shelf arrangement in my own home

1. PLAN AHEAD

Firstly think about what type of shelf you are dressing. Maybe it’s a tall, elegant metal framed bookshelf with glass shelves. This would be perfect for displaying some mirrored accessories, glass vases and objects with metallic finishes. Or maybe it’s a huge built-in bookshelf made of wood. This would be perfect for displaying collections of books, framed artwork and sculptures. The type of shelf will set the tone for the styling.

The next thing to do is gather everything you want to use in your display. And also have a go at what our American friends call ‘shopping your home’. No need to leave the house or spend any money. Have a wonder around your home and take things from other rooms to display on your shelf. Grab whatever takes your fancy, things like books, vases, jugs, artwork, plants, jars, trays, baskets and candles. It’s amazing how much more you appreciate something when you find a new spot for it. You should also have a rummage through cupboards and drawers and find all those objects you love and have held onto for years, those stones you collected from your favourite beach or anniversary cards you can frame.

2. STICK TO A COUPLE OF MATERIALS

When creating a cohesive display you need to stick to a couple of materials. So maybe wood and metal, or glass and ceramic. If you throw everything into the pot it will start to look like a big old mess. Too many materials will mean that the items compete with each other for attention and won’t get along. This makes your display distracting and confusing, and no one wants to feel like that. Because a shelf pulls together a lot of items you need them to all get along with one another. Having just a couple of materials will mean they all have something in common and will look cohesive and calming.

3. COORDINATE YOUR COLOURS

Sticking to colours that complement each other will work well. For example, a mixture of neutrals, greens and blues would look amazing. When you ‘shop your home’ you should notice that actually most items will work together if you genuinely buy items you love. This is because you should always be drawn to the same sort of colours. This is why it’s always best to only buy things you instinctively love rather than because they are on trend.

4. LAYER UP

Now you know what items you want to work with, you can start arranging them. Start with the bigger items first. Pieces like artwork, large hardback books and tall vases should be placed toward the back of the shelves. Try to get at least a few pieces that completely fill the height of the shelf, this way, the proportions work well together.

Then move on to your medium-sized items such as paperback books, vases and framed photos. It doesn’t matter if your medium objects obscure the view of some of the larger items, this is actually what we want. Layering items creates a cool, informal look that isn’t too staged.

5. GROUP SMALLER ITEMS TOGETHER

Next, arrange your smaller items. This is actually the hardest bit. It’s easy for small items to become lost or look disconnected particularly on larger-scale shelves so the trick is to group them together and elevate them. Grouping small items together means they will have more impact. Elevating smaller items means they can be appreciated more and also they will physically connect more with the display. A really easy way to achieve this is to place them on a stack of books.

6. USE ODD NUMBERS

Our brains love even numbers because we can quickly work them out and that’s why even numbers make for a boring display. So always arrange items in odd numbers. It challenges the brain and keeps your eye entertained.

7. ADD PLANTS

If you think your display is already looking pretty good then wait until you add some plants. Then it will really wow. There is nothing that can have the same impact as a plant. If you can’t keep them alive then go for faux, ok, you’ll need to spend a bit of money but it will be worth it. Plants create a texture, softness and shape that you can’t get from an inanimate object. Trailing plants are an absolute winner on shelves so if you’re not normally a plant kinda person, give it a go. I promise you’ll love it.

8. EDIT

Once you have made your first attempt then sit back, relax and admire your work. It may not be perfect yet but don’t worry, it just takes a bit of practice. Grab your phone and take some photos. Try rearranging a few pieces and then compare your second attempt with your first. Keep rearranging. Your display should feel harmonious and balanced. If something feels ‘off’ but you’re not sure what it is then remove things one at a time to help you work out what’s not working. And just keep tweaking and rearranging until you get that harmonious feeling.

Give it a go and let me know how you get on!