22 Ways to Arrange Your Shelves
Sang An
Use empty picture frames to create visually striking geometric patterns against a wall.
Sang An
A cleverly arranged bookcase can be as pretty as a window view.
James Baigrie
Borrow a trick from interior designers: Inside a bookcase, use paint that’s a couple shades deeper than the room color.
Monica Buck
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For maximum pop, try arranging the shelves with solid-colored items, like white ironwork or a vibrant vase.
Monica Buck
Imagine living room shelves as display space for your favorite books, photographs, and family heirlooms.
Chip Cordelli
Give bathroom shelves an organized look by grouping together like-colored towels.
Jonny Valiant
Use labeled boxes to house odds and ends without a home.
Antonis Achilleos
Shelve items by type―pots on one level, books on another―for a systematic look to your kitchen.
Justin Bernhaut
A simple arrangement of classics has the order and stateliness of a library.
Sarah Maingot
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Style a bookcase with unexpected items, like an eye-catching antique or a porcelain statue.
Monica Buck
Ordinary items collected in glass jars make an arresting still-life.
David Prince
Organizing a colorful collection of found objects makes an offbeat (and inexpensive) alternative to wall art.
Mark Lund
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Even just a few striking objects can create a visually interesting display.
Aya Brackett
There’s no rule saying that everything has to match. Though these letters vary in look, they work together because they are alike in essence.
Lucas Allen
Want to make a bold statement? Let paint do the talking for you.
Mark Lund
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Open shelves and steel hardware give a room contemporary flair.
Hallie Burton
Whitewashed shelves and conch-shell book stoppers feel as restful and airy as the seaside.
William Meppem
Hang a chalkboard inside sliding doors for extra playtime fun (or to log your children’s TV time).
David Land
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Use a furry friend to keep your child’s favorite reads in place.
Kathryn Barnard
Use inexpensive baskets to provide catchall space for sundries.
James Baigrie
Divvy up cubbies among your kids and allow them to arrange their belongings as they see fit―so long as it’s neat!
David Prince
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A smart cleaning strategy for drop-in visitors: panels that prettily disguise what’s on the shelves.
Hallie Burton