1. FIRST THINK PRACTICALLY
Because there's a strategy to styling the perfect shelf, and you have to consider the space you have before deciding when you want to display. Consider the length of your shelving, the depth, the height between if you have more than one.
2. DECIDE ON A COLOR SCHEME FOR YOUR SHELVING
Once you have a vague idea of what you want to display, and where you'll display it, color is the next consideration.
3. CREATE A COHESIVENESS BETWEEN WHAT YOU DISPLAY
What will really create the cohesiveness, are the links between what you display. Now, these links can be as subtle or as clear as you like, of course, the links will also depend on the room too. Say in a kitchen, it's likely the link will be really obvious, you'll be displaying crockery, or glassware, or cookbooks. Whereas in a living room, the connection might be through prints of photographs with random decor dotted in between. It's this connection that will make your shelves feel more curated and less random.
4. DESIGN SHELVES THAT REFLECT YOU AND YOUR STYLE
Shelving is one of few areas of your home that is constantly on display, making them a top spot for all your favorite pieces. Fill them with photos, decor and memorabilia that really mean something to you, collections that have value and don't just look pretty on a shelf.
5. CREATE BALANCE WITH VARYING HEIGHTS AND SHAPES
While we do love a bookcase filled to the brim with vertical spines, it doesn't have much variation. If you want to create shelving that has intrigues and draws you in to discover the display, you want variation. Variation in height and variation in shape. The ideal is to look at your shelves and see very few straight lines or repeated shapes but to have a balanced overall.
6. GROUP IN ODD NUMBERS
It's interior design 101, grouping things in threes, but it's an old age rule for a reason. And it's not set in stone that it should just be three objects is more about sticking to odd numbers. According to the 'Rule of Three', odd numbers are more pleasing and memorable when we see a collection of items in an odd number it forms less of a straightforward pattern in our brains and we are forced to look harder, and consider more so we focus of the display for longer.
7. REMEMBER TO INCLUDE NEGATIVE SPACE
Don't be tempted to overcrowd your shelves, even if you are after that eclectic vibe, there's a fine line between eclectic and cluttered. The key to keeping on the right side is negative space. You should always incorporate gaps in your displays, whether that be between objects or between the tops of shelving, you should be able to see some blank spaces.
8. USE PICTURE LEDGES WHEN SPACE IS TIGHT
When space is tight, say in a shallow alcove or when you don't want your shelves to protrude too much into the room, picture shelves make for great alternatives to traditional floating shelves. They are of course designed for prints but often you'll find they are deep enough to add small decor items too like bud vases or books.
9. INCORPORATE A SHELF ABOVE A BACKSPLASH
A narrow shelf that runs along the top of your backsplash, not only looks really sharp but can be a practical addition to your kitchen too, adding kitchen storage as well as a place to create displays. Kitchens can be such tricky spaces to add real personality as they are by nature such practical spaces, but a shelf allows you the space to bring in pieces you wouldn't necessarily find in the kitchen like prints, paintings, house plants, vases, sculptures, etc.
10. KEEP IT SIMPLE
If you like a clean, minimalist look, you can still style shelves so that they fit with a more pared-back aesthetic. To achieve this 'opt for a restricted color palette to maintain a calm vibe, but mix and match different sizes and add texture with vintage or handmade pieces.' explains Sally Denning. 'Stack kitchen or glassware on shelves or color match spines of books. Less is more as the saying goes, so if you are unsure, leave it out.'