Home Decor Ideas to Arrange Shelves

Wall Shelves

• Wall shelves come in a variety of styles, from a simple single-base shelf, to floating shelves or those with unusual shapes. Hanging shelves can include simple chrome or silver brackets and slim glass shelves with clean lines for modern decor or thick, ornate wooden shelves for traditional or formal decor. Hang the shelves in a straight line vertically or horizontally for a clean, uniform look or stagger the shelves for interest. Or place two shelves side by side with a single shelf centered above and below the group.

Shelving Units

• Stand-alone shelving units also come in a variety of styles, finishes and designs. They can serve as room dividers as well. For units with open shelves, align them in a row in the center of the space and display items that complement the décor on both sides of the room. Arrange solid units back-to-back if you want to use items to accent the individual decor on each side of the space. If you have a unit with unusually shaped shelving, such as inset circles or diamond shapes, place it flush against a wall. This allows the color of the wall to show through the design of the shelves to set off the displayed items.

Color

• Paint the back of a solid shelf a color that complements or contrasts with the rest of the piece to draw attention to the display areas. Another variation is to use a color that is a few shades lighter or darker than the walls. Add decorative wallpaper to the backs of the shelves to highlight a theme of the displayed objects, such as a collection of Chinese figurines. Or paint the entire shelf a contrasting shade that will "pop" against the wall color, such as aqua shelves against white walls.

Display

• Use decorative boxes, baskets or bins to decorate the shelves and add storage to the room. For example, a nautical-themed room can include white shelves. Add white wicker baskets with red-and-white striped lining and decorate them with a blue bow and a gold anchor charm. Arrange a single item, such as a candle or a small ceramic piece, on each shelf for modern or minimalist decor. Alternatively, create small groupings of items in threes or fives, such as three candles or five photos with matching frames in different sizes. Mix small knickknacks with a larger item in a group.