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You’ve gone on numerous Pottery Barn runs. You’ve combed through the aisles of Target and Home Goods. And you’ve “Added to Cart” more times than you can count. But there comes a point where you have to pause and ask yourself,  Now what do I do with all the decorative pieces I just had to have?! While you probably didn’t need them all, the good news is that there’s a solution for you to take your collection out from storage and put them on display.

Open shelves are the perfect way to bring personality, style, and visual interest to any area of your home. No matter the size of your space or the room in which your shelves live, styling bookcases or built-ins are a simple way to tell your style story and refresh any space – no major renovation, paint job, or furniture purchase needed!

Whether you are starting with a blank slate or simply want to re-style an existing shelf, follow these five steps to transform and refresh any room. With the right techniques and a detailed eye, you can add a sophisticated and chic feel to any space in your home. Let’s get styling!

1. Choose a Consistent Color Palette.

Like any interior design project, having a clear and consistent color palette when styling shelves is key. Whether you are drawn to earthy and neutral tones or prefer the bold and bright, select pieces that fit your personal aesthetic. Incorporating neutrals in shades of white, beige, or grey help create balance, are timeless, and can be more easily repurposed. When it comes to using metallics, tones of gold, silver, copper, or rose gold compliment most color palettes and can (and should!) be mixed and matched. Also remember to stay consistent, choosing pieces that fit with the rest of the room’s style and decor.

2. Start with the Essentials.

Staring up at your empty shelves can be overwhelming, especially if you’re not quite sure where or how to begin. When in doubt, start with the following four essential pieces: books, candles, plants, and vases. You can then build on these foundational pieces as you decorate. Select books that reflect your interests and personality, are consistent with your color scheme, and fit the room in which they’ll live. For example, cookbooks in a kitchen make perfect sense, while these in a living room would not. Plants, such as greenery or florals bring life to the space and add texture and color. Candles will soften your space and vases in various shapes and sizes add dimension and height. Remember, your shelving space will ultimately dictate how much you can add and what you should include.

3. Incorporate a Variety of Items (That You Love).

With the four pieces mentioned above, you now have a good foundation on which you can build. Now what? Take a look around and incorporate pieces that you have and love. Styling is an opportunity to share your story, reveal parts of your personality, recollect special travels or experiences, or simply display pieces that you admire. Consider the following items to fill your shelves: bowls, plates, sculptures, beaded garlands, jars or canisters, bookends, paperweights, framed artwork, or photographs. Decorative boxes, trays, or baskets are versatile options that can be used for both storage and decor. I have linked some favorites here!

4. Create Visual Balance that Piques Interest.

Visual balance is key to decorating shelves that create visual interest. Objects should vary in height and size for greater impact. By using both short and tall pieces, lighter and heavier items, as well as smaller and larger ones, you can create a layered look. Adding dimension and creating visual balance can also be achieved by stacking items, varying their placement throughout the shelves, leaning pieces such as artwork, as well as positioning items both vertically and horizontally. Symmetry and proportion are also important to consider. As a general rule, follow the “Rule of Three” in design to achieve symmetry, which suggests that items arranged in odd numbers are more visually appealing.

5. Start Editing: Rearrange What You Already Arranged.

Your shelves are full and just when you think you’re done, the final and probably most crucial step comes in: It’s time to edit! Take a step back and trust your eye – you’ll know once they have been styled just right. If something looks off, simply move it. If one section appears too bare, add items to fill the space. Similarly, if things look too cluttered, remove items. Consider whether the items placed are too top- or bottom-heavy. Editing involves arranging, rearranging, adding, and many times, removing items.

Everything has a place, but that doesn’t necessarily mean there’s place for everything on your shelves. There is something to be said about the phrase, less is more, so keep that in mind when you are styling.

Designing and styling shelves doesn’t have to be stressful. Be creative, incorporate different pieces with which you resonate, and consider functionality. One of the best parts about open shelves or bookcases is that they can be updated anytime. It’s easy to rotate your collection and update your decor with the changing seasons, holidays, and when you simply need a refresh. Or… when you find yourself back at Target, Home Goods, or Pottery Barn and find another piece you absolutely must have. 

Life is short, buy the vase.