Open shelves and bookcases are where a room's personality shows, and where clutter shows fastest. Good shelf styling is mostly a few simple habits: start with books, group objects in small sets of different heights, repeat colours and materials, and leave more empty space than feels natural. Here are ten easy ideas for open shelves, floating shelves and bookcases. Prices were correct when we published this guide, and each product page always shows the current price.
The short answer
Start with books, some upright and some stacked flat. Add objects in groups of three of different heights, repeat a colour or material in a zigzag across the shelves, and leave about a third of each shelf empty. Add one living thing, then step back and take one object away.
1. Start with books
Books are the backbone of a shelf. Mix upright rows with short horizontal stacks: a stack of three or four makes a natural plinth for a small object on top, and breaks up long lines of spines.
2. Group in threes
Odd numbers look relaxed. Gather objects in small groups of three, one tall, one medium and one low, rather than spreading single items evenly along the shelf.
3. Vary the heights
Within each group, aim for a loose triangle. A slim vase or terrarium for height, a book stack in the middle and a small bowl at the front is a combination that works on almost any shelf.
4. Bring in something living
A small plant softens all the hard edges of books and wood. A glass terrarium keeps soil and leaves contained on a shelf: the small diamond terrarium (£12), about 14.5cm tall in a brass-finish frame, suits an air plant or a small fern, and the medium shaped terrarium on dark tung wood (£18.50) holds a little planted scene. Choose plants for the light the shelf actually gets; our guide to the best plants for a terrarium helps. Plants are not included.
5. Add glass to catch the light
Shelves can feel heavy, especially full bookcases. Glass lightens them: it catches the light and lets you see the wall behind. A sculptural piece such as the V-shaped vase (£52), about 24.5cm tall, looks finished with or without a stem.
6. Zigzag colours and materials
Repeat a colour or material across the shelves in a zigzag: a green plant top left, a green book spine middle right, a green glass piece lower left. The eye moves across the whole unit and it reads as one design.
7. Leave space
Empty space is what makes the objects look chosen. Leave around a third of each shelf clear, and let at least one shelf hold just a single object.
8. Layer art at the back
A small print, a mirror or a postcard leaned at the back of a shelf adds depth. Put a smaller object in front so the two overlap slightly.
9. Give small things a dish
Every shelf collects bits: keys, coins, a lighter. A small dish gives them a place and keeps the shelf from looking messy. The mini amber glass bowl on wood (£18), about 12cm long, adds warm colour as well.
10. Edit with the seasons
Keep the anchor pieces all year and change two or three small things each season: seed heads in autumn, pine cones and a sprig of fir in winter, a single fresh stem in spring.
Shallow shelves and floating shelves
- Measure the depth first. Floating shelves are often 15 to 20cm deep, so choose slim pieces.
- Go slim and tall. The glass vase terrarium in dark tung wood (£35) is only about 5cm deep and about 23cm tall.
- Use fewer, larger pieces. Two or three objects look better on a floating shelf than a row of small ones.
A note on candles and shelves
Keep candles, tealights and wax burners off bookshelves and away from shelves above, where heat rises into the wood and books. An open surface such as a coffee table or sideboard is the place for a flame.
Common questions
How do you style shelves without clutter?
Group objects in threes, leave about a third of each shelf empty, and give small things a dish. If a shelf feels busy, take one thing away.
How many items should go on a shelf?
Usually one or two small groups per shelf, with some books. Fewer, larger pieces look calmer than many small ones.
How do you style a bookcase?
Mix upright books with horizontal stacks, put objects on top of some stacks, repeat colours in a zigzag across the shelves, and leave some shelves mostly empty.
Should shelves be symmetrical?
They do not have to be. A balanced, zigzagging arrangement usually looks more relaxed than a mirrored one.
Browse our glass terrariums, vases and bowls, see how to style a mantelpiece and what to put on a coffee table, or read our windowsill decor ideas.
