Accessorizing Shelves

Is the changing of the leaves stirring a need for change in your home?

The arrangement of items on our shelves or in our bookcases lends dramatically to the overall feel of a room. It's one of those grayscale areas where we are constantly asking ourselves if we've done too much... not enough... one more item... one less?  While having an eye for arrangement of this type is helpful, there are some good guidelines to help you reach a balanced display.

I have perused many sites that have helped me achieve the look I desire.  Here are some of my favorite pointers that I suggest to clients:

Contrast:
My dear friend Lisa loves many things... including books.  This beautiful storage cabinet in her family room houses many of them.  She wasn't pleased with the overall aesthetics of the shelf once filled, however.  Lisa is an artist with a fabulous eye, but often times, it's hard to see what change is needed when we are attached to the items on display. This whole shelf seemed dark to me and too many wonderful items were competing for center stage.  I suggested she cover some of the books with light-colored paper and add a few shiny objects (mercury glass, metallic finishes, etc.) to add contrast to the dark-colored wood.

Lisa's idea to simply turn the books around so that the lighter-colored pages were showing was an even better idea! We removed some of the objects (which can either find new homes in other nooks of the house, or be traded out at another point during the year).  We also changed the orientation of some of the books for variety. I LOVE the outcome: a simplified cabinet with contrast!

Groupings:
It's easy to fall into the habit of lining up items on shelves.  Resist!  It's much more pleasing to the eye if you group the items on your shelf, creating mini displays to be visited.  When planning your groupings, use variety! Place horizontal objects with something tall, then add another smaller item to ground the grouping.  Remember that placing an odd-numbered amount of items together is usually the most visually pleasing way to go.

One item:  I LOVE the primitive rug-hooking that Lisa completed.  Using it as a backdrop for the wonderful birdcage she acquired from a friend worked well!  

Five items:  The arrangement of 5 items on top of this small side table in her dining room is also appealing (as is the 3 item placement of books in the shelf).

Layering:

Layering your shelves with items from back to front creates depth, as well as visual appeal.  I have some framed pieces of art that get lost on large walls, so hanging them as the backdrop in my shelves with smaller items in front allows me to enjoy more items at once.

This built-in shelf beside my living room fireplace shows a few examples of layering objects from back to front.  The picture of the scottie dogs that my daughter painted in 2nd grade is actually hung on the back wall of the shelf.  Smaller groupings of objects were placed in front. Items on the other shelves are also layered for interest and appeal.

If the arrival of autumn has ignited a need for change, consider pulling all of your treasures off your shelves and regrouping them in a new way.  You'll be surprised how much of a difference it makes in the feel of the room!  It's a free mini makeover.  A shelf resurrection of sorts!

Love, live and create intentionally,

Kristi