Shelf Styling Ideas: How to Decorate Different Types of Shelves
Interior Styling Blog for Real Homes: Ideas, Advice & Inspiration
Hi, I’m Sandra, this blog is about interior styling for real homes. If you love interiors and want your home to feel stylish, pulled together, yet still personal, you’ve come to the right place.
I’ll be sharing practical styling advice to help you edit, layer, and finish your home with confidence, alongside articles on what’s happening in the interiors world — from design events to colour stories - so you get the full picture. I also take you on tours of beautifully styled homes from around the world, offering inspiration and styling ideas to steal for your own space. Ultimately, I’ll show you how a little bit of styling can be transformational and take your home to a whole new level.
In today’s post, I’ll be showing you over a dozen different types of shelving from my own floating curved shelves to a small colourful shelving unit in a Shepherd’s Hut.
Photo credit: Abigail Ahern
Shelving is one of my go-to ideal styling elements - it's the perfect surface to showcase a curated mix of home decor, plants, personal artefacts and, of course, books. What used to be a place solely for books has evolved into something much more stylish. These days, shelf styling has almost become an art form, with people realising just how much creating a thoughtfully arranged shelf can elevate a room’s look and feel.
Shelves come in so many different shapes and styles. Take the stunning recessed shelves pictured here in interior designer Abigail Ahern’s home - she’s a master at creating beautifully styled moments with her unique home decor pieces. You can find out more about Abigail’s thoughts on styling in my recent post, What is Interior Styling?
Whether freestanding, floating or something a little more unexpected, shelves offer endless ways to inject individuality and personality into a room. Add artefacts, artwork and photos amongst your books and home decor, and show off your styling skills by curating small vignettes and combining personal pieces that tell a story. Mix shapes, sizes and scales with your objects, especially differences in height, avoiding lots of similar-sized objects grouped together.
In a forthcoming post I will give tips and advice on what to use for shelf styling. In this article, I’m introducing you to a complete mix of the different types of shelving styles - from my curved shelves and mini ledges, to vintage shelves and more. Each one shows a different way to bring shelving into your home, so read on for plenty of shelving ideas and inspiration.
CURVED SHELVES
As you’ve probably gathered, I’m a big fan of shelves in every shape and form - so much so that I have them in most rooms of my home. More recently, I swapped out a sideboard in my dining room for floor-to-ceiling curved shelving, pictured here. The idea sprang to mind whilst browsing in the Soho Home store in London and noticing shelves with curves at either end. I asked if they were for sale but, as it turned out, they were custom built just for display.
I took photos and measurements and, after a bit of searching, I found a brilliant company online who could recreate them for me. Once up, the difference was remarkable. The shelves completely transformed the room. Not only did they free up floor space, making the room feel much wider, they also added height and visual interest to an otherwise plain wall.
This was a large surface area to style, so I began with a couple of big anchor pieces, including framed art and a large glass vase. When styling shelves, you can break it up into a series of small vignettes. Although odd numbers generally work better, larger standalone pieces, like the frame and vase, can be just as effective to add height and visual weight and prevent the shelves from looking too uniform.
I’ve used books stacked rather than upright for variety in height and shape. I also have two portable lamps and candles to light up the shelves in the evening. In addition, I’ve brought in natural textures with two wooden sculptures, concrete pots, eucalyptus, and a trailing succulent.
I always like to add personal pieces that reflect who I am and where I live, and have included the gold coral and starfish, as well as a handy pair of binoculars for spotting boats out at sea. Alongside those are a couple of small artworks and drawings of my two dogs, all made by different friends, to make the room feel more homely. You can actually see the other end of these shelves at the start of the post with me in the picture!
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
FREE-STANDING SHELVING
Rather than fixed shelves, a free-standing unit can be ideal - especially if you are renting and don’t want anything attached to the wall. And, if you ever get fed up with the unit in one spot, you can simply move it to another. As with any shelving, you can refresh and restyle as often as you like. I do this all the time - editing, rearranging and adding seasonal pieces to keep things looking fresh.
This oak shelving by Cox & Cox is a great example of a freestanding piece. They’ve been styled with a mix of interesting décor, including decorative dishes, vases, and a portable lamp all interspersed with books. I'm a firm believer that books give a shelf purpose as they are more than just a decorative object. Even in the kitchen, you can display cookbooks, so whatever style of shelving you have, if there’s space, make room to display books.
Photo credit: Cox & Cox
BEAUTIFUL BRACKETS
Instead of opting for built-in or floating shelves, using attractive shelf brackets can really add character, especially in period or heritage homes. These elegant, hand-finished pieces in brass from Armac Martin are a good example of how brackets aren't just functional; they add a design detail to a shelf. My kitchen handles, in antique brass, are also from Armac Martin and completely elevate the cabinetry, giving it a much more luxurious feel.
The rustic wooden shelves in the image have been styled in a beautiful yet understated way with ceramics, books, plants and attractive kitchen accessories like the pestle and mortar. What I particularly like is the way the styling has been continued beneath the shelf on the worktop with a plant, framed picture, a vintage chopping board, and two rather special brass salt and pepper grinders, adding both vintage charm and a touch of metallic to the setting.
Photo credit: Armac Martin
VINTAGE SHELVING
I photographed this stylish home for Elle Decoration Country, which was full of unique inspiration with one of my favourite features being this vintage shelving unit. The homeowner had discovered it on her travels in a Parisian shop and, as it turns out, it was originally a Dutch library shelving unit. She repurposed it to display glasses, vases and her stunning collection of Astier de Villatte - intricate French tableware which deserves to be on display.
This shelving is not just about looks, it’s also functional, as the family don’t need to rummage through cupboards when they need a glass, breakfast bowl or dinner plate. Overall, it’s a great example of how open shelving can make a kitchen look so stylish.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
OPEN KITCHEN SHELVING
Kitchen shelving has always been a must for me. In this gorgeous kitchen by Hingham, floating white shelves either side of the hob and oven are a brilliant way to add personality and softness to a functional space.
I like how these shelves have been styled with a thoughtful mix of decorative and practical pieces, with vintage wood chopping boards, a succulent and other plants, framed artwork, and of course, books. Notice how the cookbooks have been cleverly arranged both upright and stacked, with a couple of vessels on top to add interest.
This is the perfect example of how open shelving breaks up solid runs of cabinetry in a kitchen and can replaces high-level cupboards altogether. Shelves offer a place to layer in different tones and textures, as well as the all-important kitchen styling staples - chopping boards and cookbooks.
Photo credit: Hingham Furniture
ARCHITECTURAL SHELVING
This bespoke shelving design is rather unique. It runs almost seamlessly from the entryway, through the kitchen-dining area, and all the way to the living room. Designed by architect and TV presenter Charlie Luxton for his own new build home, it’s a brilliant example of how shelving can be both architectural, functional, as well as stylish - far more than just a place to display books and home decor.
I really like the clever use of materials with zinc shelves slotted between imposing aged-oak timber posts, creating a striking open structure feature that looks stunning from both sides. Charlie’s wife, Kate, has styled them beautifully with plenty of plants, books, and artefacts. These shelves act as a room divider, filtering light while still allowing plenty of space for displaying objects. It’s a good example to show that shelving doesn’t always need to be flat against a wall and can be a design feature in its own right.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
RECESSED SHELVES
There’s something so calming about the simplicity and minimalist style of these recessed streamlined shelves in an apartment in Casablanca, designed by Caffe Latte. The entire space feels pared back and sophisticated with off-whites, textured plaster walls and furniture upholstered in luxurious fabrics.
What makes these shelves so effective is their subtlety, as they don’t protrude into the room, which helps maintain a feeling of openness. The carefully chosen decorative vessels vary in form and scale, complementing the off-white furniture and contributing to the room’s elegant, cohesive feel.
Photo credit: Caffe Latte
IT’S ALL IN THE STYLING
These shelves are styled so well that you don’t even notice that they are just plain white planks mounted on a shiplap wall. I photographed this room for Coast and Ariadne at Home, while homeowner and interior stylist Clare Southcombe-Homes added her magic touch to the shelves.
What I love most is how Clare has played with textures and shapes - handmade ceramics, amber-toned glassware, and vintage-style finds, come together to create a look that feels curated but still characterful. As an interior stylist, Clare has a real eye for the unusual and here she’s added brilliant touches like bird feathers, a vintage copper tray, and a decorative panel, mixed in with home decor. It’s a reminder that small details can make a big impact.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
STYLISH SHELVING UNIT
I really like this shelving unit as it’s such a simple yet effective way to add structure to a room while giving you extra display space. The soft white frame pops beautifully against the green wall - it’s subtle, but adds the right amount of contrast without overpowering the room.
With its open design, this modular unit with glass shelves by Shelved feels airy, modern and versatile, ideal for displaying your favourite home decor objects. It’s actually a bespoke design and what’s helpful is using their 3D product configurator; it can be tailored to suit a particular space perfectly.
The glass shelves have been beautifully styled with sculptural ceramics, a tapered portable lamp, and framed artwork. Darker elements, including a tray and different vessels, add that all-important contrast to the otherwise light and fresh scheme. And, as always, a few stems of greenery bring in a natural touch, completing the arrangement.
Photo credit: Shelved
LOW LEVEL SHELVES
This is the living room of artist Armi Maddison’s London home, which I photographed for Modern Rustic magazine. I was immediately drawn to this subtle, low-level shelf running along one wall. It functions almost like a gallery plinth, showcasing Armi’s beautiful hand-thrown ceramics alongside a mix of collected pieces - it’s a perfect example of how shelves don’t have to be eye level to make a style statement.
The shelf adds visual interest to the room, breaking up and adding texture to an otherwise plain wall, without stealing attention from the seating area and hearth. Painted in the same deep tone as the wall, it blends in seamlessly, while the exposed wooden edge adds a natural contrast, tying in with other wood accents in the room.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
PAINTED SHELVES
This painted shelf is a great example of how much impact a single shelf can make, especially when it’s in the right shade. What really works here is that it’s been painted the same colour as the wall, creating a seamless effect so it feels like it’s a built-in part of the space rather than an add-on.
Positioned just above the desk by Furniture And Choice, it draws the eye not only because of the colour but also thanks to the thoughtful styling. There’s a mix of books, both stacked and upright for variation, a candle holder, and some artwork - all coming together to create a lovely layered look. A plant adds a natural element and echoes the green tones of both the wall and shelf.
Photo credit: Furniture And Choice
BUILT-IN SHELVING
This shelving sits inside a Shepherd’s Hut, and what I love most is how it’s styled with pieces that reflect the owner’s personality. Positioned at the back of the hut and surrounded with vibrant tones, the shelving is a real focal point.
The hut belongs to an artist who has used colour confidently. She has painted the wall behind in a rich, deep blue and styled the shelves with pops of fuchsia pink, as well as flowers, glasses, and a patterned wooden box, all of which contrast beautifully with the blue backdrop. There are also two stacks of books in varying blue tones, plus a gorgeous collection of decorative coloured glasses. Overall, this image shows how shelving can be a great place to bring colour and personality into even the smallest of spaces.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
SIMPLE RECESSED SHELVES
These shelves were in the living room of interior stylist Clare Southcombe-Homes, whose home I photographed for several magazines. They’re a great example of how two simple recessed shelves can create a focal point on an otherwise plain white wall.
The styling here is key, and Clare has arranged a thoughtful mix of artefacts, like the face sculpture and butterfly domes, alongside colour-grouped books and magazines neatly placed at either end.
What also makes the styling especially personal is the inclusion of sentimental pieces, like the vintage box camera that belonged to Clare’s late father. It’s artefacts and heirlooms like this that bring a sense of history to an interior.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
CLASSIC SHELVES
I photographed this streamlined dark-toned shelving at the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, in London, styled beautifully in one of the showrooms. Rich in materials - wood and brass detailing - it has a classic and more formal feel thanks to the dark frame and patterned wallpaper backdrop.
The styling enhances the look with architectural details, like the miniature white columns, sitting alongside a few pre-loved books and an antique wooden box, all carefully curated to work together. I like the way the art pieces are displayed on a small scale. This shelving unit shows how the styling and background can dramatically influence the tone of a space, turning shelving into something both timeless and elegant.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
PICTURE LEDGE SHELVES
I photographed these picture ledge shelves at a friend’s beach house in Brazil, and I love the fact that they offer a gallery wall with a twist. Picture ledge shelves are a more flexible way to display art, but you don’t need to limit it to just frames. I have similar ones in black, and as well as displaying art and photographs, I mix keepsakes - shells, air plants, and even a sun hat hanging off one end, which makes the styling feel more relaxed and effortless.
Unlike a traditional gallery wall where once you’ve put the nail in, you are committed to the layout, these shelves offer the freedom to move pieces around and swap old for new whenever you feel like it. My friend has styled hers with a mix of black, white, and wooden frames, featuring everything from black and white old photos of Brazil to a painted fish on reclaimed wood, which is rather special and breaks up the uniformity of the frames.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
BATHROOM SHELVES
Here is a bathroom in a house in LA that I photographed, and I am including it in this article to demonstrate that shelving isn’t just for living rooms or kitchens. With the right styling, shelves can work well in any room, even a bathroom.
These simple, built-in shelves provide storage for towels, but also for decorative pieces, like the unusual ceramics and a cluster of coral displayed on three of the upper shelves. Including these more ornate pieces gives a more curated feel and is far more considered than just showing typical bathroom items like product bottles, which can easily look cluttered.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
CONCEAL SHELVES
Although there’s not much room for styling, I wanted to show you that there’s a shelving solution for even the smallest corners. Plus, these concealed ledges are also a creative solution if you want something a bit unexpected. That said, they will also look good grouped together on an empty wall as an eye-catching display.
These particular shelves are Conceal Shelves by Umbra, and because they’re stackable, you can play around with height and layout. I first saw a version of these mini shelves in my sister’s home where they were made out of wood with a sculpture placed on top as the feature.
When displaying books on these types of shelves, like in the image, as well as hardback books, you can also place a ceramic pot, artefact, or small plant on top of the stack to give it that stylish and curated edge.
Photo credit: Umbra
SMALL BUT STYLISH
This metal mini shelf of mine was a vintage find that turned out to be surprisingly useful. I now have it in my bathroom where I have styled it with a mix of candles, mini succulents, and various small product bottles.
Pictured here is a photograph of it in my previous house, where I hung it in the entryway. Back then I used it to keep keys and display other small treasures like fossils and crystals, with a few tiny plants and flowers to bring it to life. I also added a collection of vintage bottles and a trailing plant on top to give it extra height and texture. It is such a handy piece and just shows that shelving can be stylish and functional, no matter what the size.
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
LET’S SUM UP
Whether it’s a living room, kitchen or bathroom, wherever you decide to place shelving, it can make a huge difference to a room. It brings in a decorative layer and can completely open up a room without overwhelming it. So, I hope this eclectic collection inspires you to add a little shelving magic to your own home. And if you need more tips on what to style with, check out my blog post on What is Interior Styling, which has a handy list of go-to styling items to help you get started.
