5 Items to Use for Simple Shelf Styling

If you follow me on Instagram, you know I love styling shelves. My husband, Handy Andy, has added shelves to our home in several locations. My favorites are the built-ins in the Living Room, the kitchen shelves, and the laundry Room shelves. For this post, I’m focusing on the built-ins, bookshelves, or something similar. I’m sharing the 5 staples that I use every time I style the built-ins. Of course, you always want to use what you love! So, let’s get to it!

Books

This is an obvious choice, right? I love using vintage books. I have several antique/vintage books that I’m currently using. I usually mix in a few decor books or coffee table books as well. I also use thrifted hard cover books and paperback books. *Caution: what I’m about to say may offend some people! * For the paperback books, I rip off the covers for a more neutral look. 😬 Are you still here? I hope so!

Art

The sky is the limit with art. There are so many options! I typically use inexpensive art because I like to switch it out for the seasons and holidays. My really love using downloadable art from Etsy. I just download and then print from home. I like the matte look of the printer paper. You can also find affordable art at Target and HomeGoods.

wood shelves with simple decor — Or just a small simple piece. I found this cutie at an antique mall. I love it! Cross stich reminds me of my mom. 💗

Plants

I like to include some kind of greenery in my shelf decor. It might be a real plant or some faux stems/flowers. I think using plants in decor gives a lived-in feel or a homier feel. When I’m styling my built-ins, I use real plants in the one closest to the window. The window faces east, so It’s not super harsh light. My favorite real plants are: pothos (any variety), snake plant, some succulents (I’ve killed several), and spider plant. These are all low maintenance plants and won’t automatically die if you forget to water them for several weeks.

For faux plants and stems, my go-tos are the predictable: Target and Amazon. Target really has some amazing faux potted plants. They look so real! I love a faux maiden hair fern. I’ve tried several times to keep a real one alive, and I’ve failed every time. So faux it is!

Baskets

I love the texture of baskets on shelves. But you can really use any type of vessel. Baskets and vessels can hold all the things! I use a large paper mâché bowl for one of my plants. I also like to use vintage bowls to hold various decorative items: beads, books, matches, etc… I use baskets and old box crates on the bottom of my shelves to hold blankets or pillows.

Shelves with books, decorative items, plants, basket,and art.

Decorative Objects

For this category, it’s basically, anything you want! Anything can be a decorative object. I love to use a mix of old and new, especially with my decorative objects. I love a vintage bust mixed in with new and some antique crocks. You can add beads or vases. Add things that YOU love!

Conclusion

I hope you were inspired to style some shelves after reading this! Shelf styling can be intimidating, but if you follow this simple formula, I believe you have less stress doing it. Just remember to use things that you love! But you can always change things out if you don’t like how it looks. Definitely play around with different looks to get exactly what you want. Until next time Treasure Hunters!