The Art of Arranging Shelves

Shelves are essential in nearly every space. What is the key to getting your shelves to look clean and polished while creating interest? I have listed below some important tips and ideas to remember when arranging your bookshelf. You will notice the photos I have used, follow many of these basic rules.

-Key items to use: vases, bowls, plates or platters, frames, boxes, objects of interest, and candle holders. You can easily find these items at garage sales, thrift stores, the dollar store, or even around the house

-use items of varying heights, widths and depths

-cluster items in groups of odd numbers, threes and fives; you don't want everything to be perfectly symmetric, but for the shelf to look symmetric as a whole. 

-Use decorative boxes, baskets or containers of different sizes and colors to hide away all your goods. If it is something interesting why not display it in a clear jar or container?

-use antiques or other fun figurines to add interest. Find something that inspires you, check flea markets, local thrift stores, Saturday Market, finds from afar, your parents or grandparents attic, etc.

-arrange books in groups vertically and horizontally. I prefer to stack the largest book first and then continue using smaller and smaller books. Place a small object on top of the horizontally placed books.

-Its great to create a geometric and symmetrical bookshelf, but remember to bring in a few items that are organic shapes so the shelf doesn't look stale.

-Layer items, put frames or art in the back and a smaller item in the front

-pick a few colors to tie everything together, repeat the colors throughout to give the shelf unity

-paint or wallpaper the back wall of the shelf a contrasting color to create visual interest and depth

-why not organize your books by color? This gives a very fun and playful effect.

-When you decide to rearrange your shelf, take everything off and begin apply the items in layers, rearranging until it looks good to your eye. Often, you have to do lots of rearranging before you get it just right.

Check out this great post showing other strategies on arranging your bookshelves! 

Any other tips/tricks you have heard for arranging shelves? I would love to hear them!