26 Mar Styling for a Shelfie – 3 Ways to Elevate Your Shelf Game

“Alexa, define shelfie…”

Shelfie: a picture of a shelf that shows off someone’s books, movies, art, collectibles, special belongings, etc.

Bookshelves, built-ins, open shelving, and glass door cabinets are all places where a styled shelf stands out. Sure, they can be purely utilitarian, housing your cookbooks, photo albums, small appliances and whatever else can fit. But why stop there? If a place can be useful and aesthetically pleasing, always opt for the pretty way out. Now that doesn’t mean you’re using your shelves or cabinets for display items only. Finding attractive solutions for your everyday items is a key element to a killer shelfie. Here are my top 3 ways to achieve a beautifully-styled shelf:

Books on books on books

As you read in the definition of a shelfie, this is your opportunity to share with your guests what you’re interested in, Even if you’re not an avid reader, I can’t say I’ve met a single person who lacked books on hand at any given time. We all have something to be invested in. In my home, I have made accessible my favorite novels, a hefty stack of AD magazines. and fun conversation-starting books. Scatter these topics throughout the span of your display, rather than all in one place. True, you’ll probably want similar topics categorized together, but you don’t have to make a library of every Jane Austen novel you own. For covers that don’t quite fit your aesthetic, consider turning them backwards with the page side out. Create a monochromatic look and do this with all of your books!

Shelfie Tip: channel your inner color expert and fill your shelves chromatically, grouping like-colors together in whatever pattern you like.

A Green Thumb

One of my favorite methods to spice up any shelf is some fresh (or faux) foliage. Houseplants with their organic color and flow add a bit of texture and literal life to any library of tomes. I understand not everyone has a true green thumb, so here’s a roundup of gorgeous faux houseplants you may want to consider adding to your collection.

Hide Shit

Story time; when I was growing up, my mother cleaned homes. One of her clients-turned-friends was a lovely couple who welcomed her into their home weekly. As my mother tidied up and scrubbed down every room of their home, the husband fondly nicknamed my mother the Hide-Shit Lady, because, clearly, she became a master of hiding whatever shit was lying about the home. As my mother found homes for items that didn’t need to be seen, so I recommend a few pieces that allow you to do the same. We all have a bit of dirty laundry so to say. Looking to conceal a surplus of pens or stationery? A cigar box is the perfect size to tuck them away and add some unique style to the shelf. Or maybe emptying your pockets at the end of the day on the kitchen counter. Find a cool ceramic bowl to fill in as a change dish. Either way, an attractive container can make for a useful hide-shit spot and textural detail to any open shelving.