Shelf décor ideas

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “how do I make my shelves look aesthetic?” – you’re in the right place. 

Bedroom shelving isn’t just a practical storage solution; it’s a chance to elevate your space and turn your shelves into a beautiful design feature in your room.  

From colour-coordinated book displays to beautifully curated ornaments, a few thoughtful touches can help you embrace creativity and optimise your space, all while maintaining a cohesive and uncluttered look. 

Consider this your comprehensive guide to styling bedroom shelves with purpose and flair – because you don’t need to sacrifice style for practicality. 

Let’s get your bedroom ‘shelfie’-ready…

A well-styled bedroom shelf strikes the perfect balance between function and form. If you ask us, it’s about carefully curating your décor and putting thought into every piece you place. Whether you’re styling some floating shelves above your bed or a built-in bookcase, the objective is to create visual interest, without overwhelming your space.   

It’s useful to experiment with different shapes, heights, colours, and textures for variety. Make sure to leave a little breathing room, too – a bit of negative space on your shelving goes a long way. The rule of three is another popular design trick to create a shelf arrangement that feels both balanced and intentional.

Now, let’s put some of this into practice with our favourite shelf decor ideas… 

1. Arrange books by colour for visual harmony

Do you have a prized collection of books? Struggling to organise them? A super popular way to organise the books on your shelving is by colour. Whether that’s grouping into complementary tones or creating a full-blown rainbow, this is a simple yet effective way to add some vibrancy to your shelf.

2. Vary heights and proportions to create a dynamic display

Playing around with different heights on your shelves is a great technique for creating some visual interest. Think tall vases, medium-sized picture frames, and smaller trinkets or candles. By mixing up the height order of your possessions, you’ll create an organic look that feels well-curated yet completely lived in. 

3. Balance negative space and prevent overcrowding

Sometimes, less is more. What’s not on your shelf can be just as important as what is. Particularly if you’re into a minimalist aesthetic, it can be a good idea to leave blank spaces on your shelving to avoid things looking too crowded.

Take the image above, for example. We love how these wooden floating shelves have been styled with just a few select pieces. It’s obvious that each ornament has been carefully curated and positioned on the shelves in an intentional way. The result is sleek, chic, and effortlessly cool.

4. Create asymmetrical displays for visual interest

Symmetry lovers, look away. When it comes to organising your shelves, a little imbalance can go a long way. In fact, asymmetrical displays feel more relaxed, homey, and can even be more satisfying to look at. Although that’s subjective…

Try pairing objects in odd numbers (remember the rule of three) and play around with different heights and scale to create visual interest. The Pinterest pin above is a prime example of asymmetry done right.  

5. Integrate art and sculptures

Art is one of the best ways to express your personality in your bedroom decor – and where better to display your favourite pieces than on your shelves? Whether you’re into abstract sculptures, fine line drawings or vibrant paintings of your favourite things, art will always have a transformative effect.  

We love how our Chloe Ottoman Bed Frame has been styled here with clean, modern, neutral-shade ornaments and framed pictures to tie in with the rest of the colour scheme.

6. Decorate with antiques

Retro more your thing? No problem! Blend the old with the new and add some antique trinkets to your shelving for a homey, vintage vibe. Antique decor, whether that’s a first-edition book, old candlesticks, or a retro alarm clock, is sure to bring instant charm and lived-in character to your bedroom design. These pieces don’t just look good; they tell a story.  

7. Cacti for easy, care-free botanics

Bringing in easy, low-maintenance plants like cacti and succulents are a brilliant way to add a pop of greenery. Plus, they’re funsize – perfect for popping on your shelves and moving around until you’re happy with the placement. Not only are cacti easy to look after, but they bring in a touch of nature, for a calm, balanced feel – perfect for your bedroom where relaxation is key.

8. Hanging plants to create intrigue and dimension

Credit: @no5hillside

Hanging plants are ideal for adding some freshness and visual intrigue to your bedroom shelving. Particularly if you have high shelves with a lot of blank space beneath, trailing houseplants add softness, colour and organic charm. Think sweet strings of pearls or funky devil’s ivy. Their cascading leaves are sure to make a statement in your bedroom. 

Want more botanical inspiration? Check out our 11 favourite bedroom plants that help you sleep. 

9. Dried flowers for rustic charm

If you’re into florals but like easy upkeep, consider adding some dried flowers or pampas grass in a tall vase, for a beautiful, feminine aesthetic. These long-lasting flowers bring warmth, texture, and a touch of countryside charm to your bedroom shelves.  

10. Mix storage with décor for an uncluttered style

For those who hate mess and clutter, storage is your best friend. Keep your shelves neat and organised by popping your things in handy storage boxes. Whether that’s a sweet wicker hamper, an embroidered basket, or an ornate treasure chest, there are all sorts of unique and wonderful storage units that you can use to fit in with the rest of your bedroom design. Hurrah!

11. Utilise floating shelves for extra storage in small rooms

Credit: @all_my_home

Floating shelves are ideal for smaller bedrooms because they’re less bulky. By utilising the vertical space in your room for decor, you free up more floor space, allowing you to move around more easily and even creating the illusion of a larger bedroom.

12. Add dimension through textures and finishes

Make sure to pay attention to the textures and finishes on your shelving. This is a simple yet effective trick to really elevate your look. By adding dimension and depth through different materials, you can enhance the visual interest of your shelves. For example, hand-thrown ceramics can bring a modern, Japandi aesthetic, whilst rattan and macrame textures can give off a bohemian style.  

13. Display personal items that tell your story

Remember, your bedroom is your own private sanctuary to unwind, and your design should reflect your personal style. By displaying personal items, whether that’s family photos, an award, or a trinket gifted to you by a loved one, your shelving can become a special shrine to your most beloved memories.

14. Experiment with backdrops: colour and pattern

Don’t forget about the inside of your shelves! This is a great way to add a pop of personality and turn your storage into an interesting feature in your wider bedroom design. Try painting the back panel of a bookcase in the same shade as your walls for a cool colour-drenched effect. For contrast, think about an accent colour or funky wallpaper to really make an impact.

If you’re working with floating shelves, treat the entire wall as a backdrop and consider a feature wall or bold paint colour to make your shelving pop.

15. Update with the seasonal items

Finally, why not switch it up from season to season? Your shelves don’t have to stay the same. In fact, they’re the easiest part of your bedroom decor to switch up – so you may as well have some fun with it!

If you’re one for celebrating every holiday, why not try adding some seasonal decor, like mini pumpkins at Halloween, Easter garlands in the spring, and frosted holly leaves at Christmas time? Now, you’ve got an excuse to redecorate your bedroom every few months! 

P.S. It’s never too early to think about Christmas, if you ask us! Check out our festive bedroom decor ideas here. 

It’s time to transform your bedroom shelves from cluttered and chaotic to effortlessly chic. With these simple tips, you can redesign your shelves so that they remain highly functional, whilst becoming aesthetically pleasing for your bedroom design.