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Shelves provide space for artful displays of accessories, books, mementos and even photos.
Poor shelf arrangement results in a cluttered, chaotic look.
A well-arranged shelf provides a balanced, aesthetically appealing display of your books, home accents, antiques or collectibles.
It only takes creative arrangement and voila! Here is how:
Mix them: Your bookshelf is not just for books. Get magazines of varying sizes, artwork and decorative knick-knacks to create a look that displays your personality.
Display items in varying height and size will keep the look interesting.
Group your items thematically so that similar objects such as trophies, antique objects and sports awards unify the look. Break up the monotony of the items with a vase, sculpture, potted plant or basket if the items look almost similar.
2. Gather them: With a collection of items, you can arrange your items systematically by layering. Place the large items at the centre of the shelving unit so that it becomes the focal point. Items of similar colours should then be placed on the other shelves for visual interest.
Place solid, brightly coloured items so that they pop among the collection. Groupings in odd numbers make the most visually appealing displays.
3. Fill it up: Avoid too many tiny items as this makes the space look busy and cluttered. Fill empty spaces with substantial objects ensuring they relate to each other in terms of balance and scale.
When decorating a shelf, remember that more is always more and the bigger it is the better. Alter the way in which you place your books; you can place them diagonally or horizontally by stacking them.
4. Repetition: Similar items should be repeated a few times. If, for example, you are displaying stacks of books, include them throughout your display. Layer tall items behind short items. This will define the front, middle and background of the display.
Photographs and framed artwork are a great background for small display items. You could also use stacked books as a platform to raise some of your smaller display items so that they are noticeable. Items that you move or use frequently should be placed at the front.
5. Flip it: It is not always that you get it right the first time right the first time. Play around with your arrangement until you get the look that you love. With practice, you will definitely find the perfect look.
6. Balance: For a balanced display, group items that are similar in size, colour or form. Ensure they are in proportion to the length and depth of the shelf and other items displayed. Remember to include some empty space for a balanced arrangement. This way, you avoid the cluttered look.
7. Step back: Just like we do after we rearrange furniture in a room, stand across the room, as far from the shelving unit as possible and see if the arrangement pleases your eye. If there are any holes, add more items. If it looks cluttered, remove some items.
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