1. Start with a beautiful piece
Before you even begin to think about what to place on your shelves, consider the shelves themselves. They provide the perfect canvas to showcase your personal style, so it is important to pick a design that is as beautiful as it is practical – and one that complements your home’s interiors, too.
The right shelving unit can be as much a feature as the items you display, and no piece makes a statement quite like our Shoji Bookshelf. With its mirrored panels, antique brass-coated frame and tempered glass shelves, its breathtaking blend of materials looks just as at home in a modern hallway as it does a traditional living room. After something more understated? Look for designs that offer a clean-lined, architectural appeal, like our Aston Shelving Unit or Maurice Shelving Unit.
Shop the Aston Shelving Unit
Shop the Maurice Shelving Unit
2. Pick a palette
The secret to a beautifully styled, cohesive shelving unit? A core colour palette. Whether you prefer earthy neutrals, soft coastal hues or vivid brights, decide on a scheme and stick to it – doing so is an easy way to bring instant harmony to your display.
Once you have picked a palette, turn to texture. Contrasting materials add depth and interest, particularly to a neutral scheme. Think matte ceramics paired with glossy coffee table books, soft linens set against polished metal finishes, and natural stones juxtaposed with sleek glass vases.
3. Style from the top down
Approach shelf styling as you would a gallery wall – methodically and thoughtfully. Start from the top shelf and work your way down, styling from left to right as you go. That way, each shelf will feel balanced in relation to the others, creating a harmonious, unified whole.
That said, treat each shelf as its own mini vignette – an opportunity to customise and express your personal style. Just remember to keep the principles of balance and asymmetry in mind: offset a tall vase, like the Raven Vase, with a horizontal stack of books, or pair a low bowl with a sculptural candle holder, such as the Isla Candle Holder. Vary the number of items per shelf, too – some might feature a trio of objects, while others might hold a single statement piece.
4. Embrace the power of threes
When styling shelves, embrace the power of irregular numbers – three’s not a crowd, after all. Odd numbers tend to group together more naturally than even numbers, so try arranging objects in threes or fives to create a more dynamic and visually pleasing shelf display. Don’t shy away from mixing objects; a ceramic vase, a framed photo and a decorative bowl can come together to form an eclectic yet harmonious trio.
5. Let it breathe
We have all heard the saying ‘less is more’, and when it comes to shelf styling, it generally rings true. Not every inch of your shelving unit needs to be filled – intentional blank space gives decorative items room to breathe and your eyes a place to rest. It is the secret to making your shelves feel curated rather than cluttered.
Looking to bring your vision to life? Explore Coco Republic’s collection of premium shelving now or visit your nearest showroom to talk to one of our expert design consultants.
