Decorating Ideas for the Tops of High Shelves

Large Items

• When placing items on the top of a high shelf it's important to think about scale. Small items won't make any impact or won't be visible in that location. If not much room is between the top of the shelf and the ceiling, then items that are not necessarily tall but that take up a lot of horizontal space work well. If the room has high ceilings, then items that are both tall and carry some visual weight, such as large pots or vases, are options.

Baskets

• Baskets of different shapes and sizes are used on high shelves because they are decorative and functional. Baskets effectively fill the space and can store or hide items that you may not want in full view. Baskets that complement the colors in the rest of the room can feature linens or bows if that style suits the room's decor. In a bathroom or kitchen, baskets may store extra items such as napkins and hand towels. If the baskets are in the living room, you could stuff them with magazines or paperback novels that you want to keep but don't need to access regularly.

Collection

• If you don't have a single item to fill the space on top of a high shelf, create the feeling of a large item by grouping several items as a collection. Glass bottles of different colors and sizes work well together, as do objects such as antique toys, musical instruments and ceramic bowls. If you do not have a collection, a thrift store or flea market may have items that appeal to you. Stay away from items with delicate details because on a high shelf those details won't be visible from the ground.

Greenery

• Because of their lack of sunlight, high shelves aren't a perfect place to put live plants, but faux greenery and vegetation can fill the space. Fake ivy is a standby for the top of kitchen cabinets and bookshelves because it easily fills a large area of horizontal space. You can switch silk leaves and flowers seasonally, adding berries and holly during the Christmas or winter season and using bright flowers in spring.