Styling shelves is hard. Styling extra large and deep shelves is super hard! The biggest mistake that we see when styling large shelves is using décor that is too small. It’s really important to use the right scale of pieces to achieve an expertly styled shelf so shop big. Here are our top tips for styling large shelves:

USE BOOKS - FLAT FOR ADDED HEIGHT AND STACKED FOR ADDED WIDTH

Books are one of the most versatile accessories in the home. We use books in both staging projects and through our décor services. Coffee table books are wonderful almost everywhere - on coffee tables, consoles and in shelves. When styling a large shelf, we love to use a stack of coffee table books, typically 2 or three depending on the thickness, under a decorative object to add some varying heights in the shelf. We also love a horizontal stack of hardcover books in large shelves, particularly with some decorative bookends. They had a pop of color to the shelf and can take up quite a bit of space across the shelf.

LAYER DECORATIVE VASES IN VARYING SIZES

Vases are great for stems and flowers, but can also be used without any greenery in large shelves. We love to group two or three vases together, in varying sizes, to fill up the shelf space. You can find large vases at most of the big retailers, like Target and HomeGoods, and for very reasonable prices. There is no right or wrong way to group vases. Sometimes we use a set of vases in coordinating colors, patterns and shapes, while other times we mix and match. Just pay close attention to the accessories as a whole and try to keep your palette consistent throughout.

INCORPORATE PLANTS THAT FILL THE SPACE VERTICALLY AND HORIZONTALLY

We recommend using plants, real or faux, in your large shelves to add a pop of color and to fill up some of the open areas. Large shelves often look sparse and empty when the contents don’t take up the majority of the shelf and you’re left with lots of large gaps. In small shelf styling we use several small potted faux plants, but in larger shelves we use bigger plants or even vases with stems. We also love to use large plants that have draping vines or leaves. These types of plants look amazing on a stack of books or boxes.

USE COLORS THAT CONTRAST AGAINST THE SHELF COLOR

Another tip to styling large shelves is to use items that visually pop against the shelf color. As an example, in large white shelves, we try to incorporate more objects with color, whereas with dark wood or painted shelves, we lean towards white or neutral objects. That’s not to say that you cannot use white and neutral pieces in white shelves, but you want to make sure that there is enough contrast to fill the space. There is a fine line between eclectic and junky, so error on the side of caution and stick with coordinating colors and metallics to create a cohesive look through all the shelves.