How To Style Shelves

Styling & Design 101

There are a few topics that we love to chat about and styling is one of them - the cherry at the end of the design process.  Today we wanted to dive into some Styling Tools to help you style your shelves well!

When your shelves are styled thoughtfully and personally they can bring your space to life  as well helping to organise clutter!

There are so many shelving options to explore, so we have brought everything you need here on the blog.

Styling is very intuitive and is a process - you very often don't get it right the first time.  It takes time to place objects then edit and edit again, before landing on your final design.  Although we often use our gut rather than follow a strict formula it doesn't mean there isn't a process and key elements we use for each project.  We have bought together some tips for you to achieve your own shelving styling success. 

 1. Create a blank canvas

Regardless of what you are styling completely clear the shelves of all existing items.  We always take everything away so we have a blank canvas and can see the space with fresh eyes.

Our Favourite Shelving Picks

 2. Take inventory of what you have

Once you have cleared your shelves take stock of what you already have and start grouping items together thinking about size and scale.  This helps makes the styling process easier once you get started and you can evaluate if you need any further items to complete your look.

 3. Start styling your largest pieces first

When you are styling shelves it's important to balance larger items throughout the cabinet to create focal points to style around.  Baskets, bowls, artwork and large decor items create visual weight and substance that help ground your scheme.  It's important to stagger these larger items throughout the cabinet to create balance but also interest.   

Our Larger Styling Favourites

 4. Group your smaller items

This next stage is the trickiest part of the process but also is always the most rewarding.  Group together small and medium sized items to fill in the spaces that the large items don't occupy.  Think about grouping similar objects together, items with interesting textures, various shapes and personal items.  Sometimes pairing items can provide impact and with very small items grouping them on a tray or books can maximise the impact.

Our Smaller Styling Favourites

 5.  Evaluate, edit and curate

Once you are fairly happy with the layout step back and evaluate.  Don't be afraid to edit, curate and alter.  It takes time to get the overall look of the shelves harmonious and impactful.  It may take several attempts or versions to get to the end result.  This is the fun part!!



Feather & Oak Styling Checklist

1. The Greater Space

It is important to evaluate the greater space where your shelving is sitting before beginning the styling process.  Is there a lot of existing colour in the room and therefore you need to keep the colour palette pared back and simple in the shelves?  Do you need hidden storage at the bottom of the shelves in the form of chunky woven baskets?  Is there adequate lighting in the room to highlight items in your shelving unit or could you add a lamp to your design? 

2. A Balancing Act

When styling shelves it is important to keep stepping back and looking at the item as a whole.  Balancing large items with groupings of medium and smaller sized items helps individual items to shine but also the entire look needs to be cohesive and interesting.

3. Be A Groupie

Grouping items strategically together helps breaks up uniformity, gives smaller items visual weight, and provides themes of objects within the greater space.

4. Room To Breathe

The white space between items is as important as the objects themselves.  A calm, composed and well styled space is as much about the space around items as the items themselves.  If there is too much clutter or visual noise your eye has no place to rest between items and all the beautiful objects get a little lost.

5. Blend, Blend, Blend

Breaking up textures, tones and shapes throughout the shelving unit helps create a polished result.  For example, softening the angles of strategically placed books and boxes with curved vases and decorative objects helps break up hard lines. 

Mixing a variety of styles and textures together is really key - blend together modern with organic, vintage with metallic, statement pieces with the practical.  Juxtaposing materials and shapes helps create a well-balanced look as well as allowing special items to shine.

6. Who Are You?

Focus on what you love not what is trending right now.  Let your personality shine through by selecting items that are personal and speak to you - pair with pieces that are timeless and transitional so that your design aesthetic is authentic and reflects you.

We hope you find joy in exploring the beautiful world of shelving design & styling.

Enjoy the process and don't overthink it - remember these steps and you'll be on your way to styling success in no time.