1. CONSIDER WHAT YOU WANT FROM YOUR LIVING ROOM SHELVES
As with any addition to your home, the first thought should be practicalities. If you are adding new shelving to your living room, consider first how you want them to be used, what will you display? This can dictate the size, shape, style and the positioning of your shelving.
2. DISPLAY PIECES THAT REFLECT YOUR STYLE AND ADD CHARACTER TO A ROOM
So what are the best things to display on living room shelves? Well of course this will come down to personal style, but as with all living room wall decor we'd advise ensuring that what goes on your shelving really reflects your life and is a joy to look at – filled with memories and pieces that really mean something.
3. GO FOR BUILT IN SHELVING TO MAXIMIZE SPACE
If you are dealing with an awkward space or small living room, or just want more of a bespoke look when it comes to your shelving, going for a built-in option will make the most of space, adding plenty of living room storage too.
4. GIVE YOUR SHELVING DEPTH WITH A PATTERNED BACKDROP
This fabulous blue living room is making a real case for animal print, and see how the brighter wallpaper really gives to deep teal shelving unit a lift. Plus, it adds depth and you don't need to worry about cramming your shelves with stuff to make them feel characterful because the bold backdrop already adds all the personality and decor you need.
5. MAKE LIVING ROOM SHELVING DOUBLE DUTY
The last few years we've really stretched the meaning of 'home office', working from sofas, beds, kitchen tables, you name it. However, as working from home becomes more of a permanent set up, it's worth carving out somewhere in your home to dedicate to working, even if you don't have the space for a whole room.
6. PLAY WITH SCALE
The best way to create striking shelving is to display items that really vary in height and scale. You want to avoid any clear lines that make it easy for the eyes to take in the display – mix and match sizes to avoid anything feeling too clean and curated.
7. CONTRAST SHELVING TO THE WALLS
Make your living room shelving even more of a focal point in the room by painting them in a contrasting color to the walls. We love the combination of blush pink and deep navy used here, they balance each other so well. And in general dark colors make for a great backdrop for displays as colors really pop, far more than a neutral backdrop would do.
8. CREATE A BALANCED COLOR SCHEME
When decorating your shelving, do consider your overall living room color scheme. You might want to go bolder with your shades, as shelving is naturally a focal point in a room, but as Sabrina Albanese suggests, 'You also want to create balance with your color scheme, by replicating pops of color throughout the shelving. For example, if I'm putting a colorful abstract art on one shelf, I'll pick up a color from that artwork and place another similarly-colored item on the other shelf so the eye naturally moves from item to item.'
9. ALLUDE TO HEIGHT BY ADDING SHELVES ABOVE EYE LEVEL
Shelving needn't always be floating around at eye level, if you want to accentuate high ceilings or make a room feel loftier, try hanging shelving at a height. This works particularly well in alcoves when you perhaps want to free up the space lower down for a cabinet or built-in closed storage.
10. OPT FOR FREESTANDING SHELVING
We've covered a lot of floating and built in options here, but freestanding shelving can add an instant storage solution and a spot for decor. And they are the best option if you are renting too. In terms of design, that will be determined by personal style, but we will advise to pick the right size unit for your space – too large and it will swamp the room, too small it will shrink the room. So decide on the spot and do your measurements.