Give Your Shelves a Makeover With These Living Room Decorating Ideas

If your living room shelves are looking a little lackluster, it may be time to give them a decorating refresh. The shelves in your living room present a great opportunity to showcase your style and personality. However, decorating shelves can seem overwhelming at first. Where do you start? What items should you choose? How do you make it all come together?

Not to worry! From choosing a cohesive color scheme to displaying personal mementos, we'll cover it all. With a little creativity and know-how, you can easily transform those boring old shelves into an eye-catching focal point that wows your guests.

Choose a Cohesive Color Scheme for Your Shelves

A cohesive color scheme is key to pulling your shelf decor together into a stylish, polished look. When choosing colors, look around your living room for inspiration. Pick out existing colors from your furnishings, artwork, and other decorative accents.

Select decorative objects for your shelves like vases, boxes, books, and baskets in colors that complement your overall living room color palette. Earthy neutrals like white, beige, black and wood tones make an easy base and pair well with almost any color scheme.

Don't be afraid to inject bright pops of color either. A vibrant teal vase or coral box adds interest against more subtle neutrals. Just be sure the colors you choose tie into the overall feeling of your living room.

Keep in mind that cool colors like blues, greens, and purples create a more tranquil mood, while warm reds, oranges and yellows energize. Choose shelf decor colors that enhance the ambiance you want for your space.

Creative Ways to Incorporate Color

• Select coordinating book bindings or album covers in related colors.
• Choose accent pieces like boxes, vases, or trays in a bold contrasting color.
• Use colorful curios, shells, stones, or artwork.
• Paint the back of a shelving unit and coordinate items in front.
• Pick a theme color like sage green for a nature theme or crimson red for a retro theme.

Play with Different Textures for Visual Interest

Varying textures is key for creating depth and visual appeal on your shelves. Simply having rows of matching objects leaves a flat, one-dimensional feel. Combining smooth and rough textures adds compelling contrast.

When selecting shelf decor, look for items crafted from wood, metal, ceramic, glass, wicker, and fabric in an array of textures. Display a set of rustic wood boxes next to sleek glass vases for example. Or place a woven laundry basket alongside framed photos.

Don't forget small accessories either. Layer in accents like stone coasters, velvet pillows, and ceramic figurines to enrich the tactile landscape. Your shelves will seem so much more luxe and collected when textures are thoughtfully combined.

More Tips for Adding Texture

• Use baskets of varying materials like rattan, plastic, and metal.
• Stack books horizontally and vertically.
• Incorporate fabric with pillows, blankets, or poufs.
• Display artwork with raised brush strokes or collaged elements.
• Choose objects with interesting shapes and irregular silhouettes.

Incorporate Greenery for A Fresh Feel

Bringing greenery into your living room is an easy way to breathe life into tired shelves and brighten the whole space. From succulents and snake plants to trailing ivy and fiddle leaf figs, a little greenery goes a long way.

For shelves against the wall, look for hanging basket plants that spill over the edges. Air plants also make great hanging shelf decor. Place them in a glass terrarium, little ceramic pot, or mount onto driftwood.

For shelving units on the floor, opt for potted plants that sit or stand directly on shelves. Trailing vines, tall and spiky succulents, and bushy ferns all work beautifully. Go for plants in white, ceramic, or colorful pots to coordinate with your color scheme.

Prefer low maintenance? Faux plants are a great alternative. Choose varieties that look realistic and opt for high-quality silk or plastic. No one but you will know they aren't the real deal!

Tips for Showcasing Greenery

• Place smaller plants on higher shelves, larger on lower.
• Choose a mix of leafy and flowering plants.
• Use planters that match or complement your color scheme.
• Incorporate a watering can, garden gloves or other subtle garden decor.
• Swap out plants seasonally for fresh pops of color.

Create Cohesive Collections for Maximum Impact

Grouping decorative items into cohesive collections gives shelves a curated gallery feel. The key is choosing pieces that vary in shape, size, color and texture. Then display them together in neat little vignettes.

For example, stack large coffee table books with a short squat vase full of faux eucalyptus and a tall elegant candlestick. Or arrange black and white framed photos of different shapes and sizes. The contrast makes for a super stylish shelf display.

Some other easy ways to create cohesive collections include displaying all white ceramics together, or pairing antique books and curios. Choose pieces that share a color, material, or theme to tie them together. Feel free to spread similar objects between different shelves too.

Also don't forget to step back periodically and check that your shelves feel balanced. You want each collection to have visual weight and equilibrium.

Tips for Curating Collections

• Repeat colors, textures, or materials from piece to piece.
• Incorporate boxes, bins or trays to corral small objects.
• Play with height by stacking or propping items.
• Find decorative pieces all related to one hobby or interest like music, reading, or traveling.

Maximize Storage & Minimize Clutter

While decorating shelves is largely about the display, you also need to consider storage and organization. Especially in the living room, you likely have items you want stashed out of sight like remotes, coasters, and clutter.

Baskets are a go-to solution for keeping shelves tidy but still stylish. Choose woven baskets in natural, white, or colored finishes. Use them to store blankets, media accessories, or kids' toys. Just place them on a shelf or tuck them on the end.

Boxes and bins also conceal items neatly. Opt for decorative storage boxes with lids to hide remotes, cords, and more. Matching fabric covered bins are another great option for a coordinated look. Use pretty glass jars or canisters to corral small items like cotton balls.

Trays are also fantastic for corralling clutter while contributing to your shelf display. Place decorative trays filled with candles, small framed photos, or accessories. You can easily move the whole tray to access hidden items underneath.

Storage & Organization Tips

• Use baskets to hold blankets, magazines, toys, etc.
• Conceal media items and remotes in lidded boxes.
• Choose storage pieces that match your color scheme.
• Place storage at the end of shelves or style it decoratively.
• Label baskets or bins so you know what's inside.

Add Personal Touches to Show Your Style

One of the best parts of shelf decorating is infusing shelves with personal touches. This allows you to highlight your loves, interests, and cherished memories.

Souvenirs from trips are perfect for displaying in vignettes on shelves. Show off seashells, stones, statuettes, or other travel mementos. Artworks and photos from a memorable vacation also make great personal additions.

Display special books like old childhood favorites or autographed editions from your favorite authors. Sentimental objects like heirloom teacups, vintage toys, or your grandma's perfume bottle also deserve a spot.

DIY projects are another way to personalize shelves. Paint and stencil colorful boxes for a custom look. Arrange unique pieces of driftwood and sea glass found on trips. The options for infusing you into your shelves are endless!

Ideas for Personalizing Shelves

• Show off souvenirs, seashells, or stones collected from trips.
• Display sentimental books, photos, or family heirlooms.
• Make DIY art, vases, boxes, or other decorations.
• Choose decor in your favorite colors that reflects your personality.
• Arrange items related to hobbies like instruments, sports memorabilia, etc.

Extra Tips for Styling Your Shelves

When planning your shelf makeover, keep these extra styling and decorating tips in mind:

Add Lighting

Proper lighting is key for showcasing your shelves. Install sconces above wall mounted shelves or place table lamps near standing bookcases. You can also adhere LED strip lighting to shelves for an ambient glow.

Incorporate Seasonal Decor

Rotate out seasonal items to keep your shelves feeling fresh. Display winter accents like snowy candles and pinecones during the holidays. Then swap in spring florals and brighter accessories as the weather warms up.

Rebalance and Edit

Re-evaluate shelves when adding new decorative items. Make sure to redistribute and rebalance displays so they don't appear cluttered or lopsided.

Dust Regularly

Use a microfiber cloth or duster to keep shelves free of dust buildup so items shine. Dust slowly once a week or as needed.

Elevate with Risers

Use decorative risers, cubes, or platforms to add additional tiers of height. This allows you to display even more items.

There you have it! With a little planning and these decorating tips, you can easily transform the shelves in your living room. Choose a cohesive color palette and play with textures and greenery for an eye-catching display. Curate fun collections of accessories that show off your personality and style.

Don't forget small organizational touches like baskets and boxes to keep your shelves functional and clutter-free. Elevate with proper lighting to showcase all your hard decorating work. Use these ideas to craft living room shelves you can't wait to show off!