5 Expert Tips for Decorating Shelves and Bookcases

Posted on April 18, 2025
Mid-century modern living room with wooden shelves, neutral-toned books and vases, a round side table with flowers, lounge chair, and a wall-mounted lamp.

Curate Your Shelves with Style and Purpose

Beautifully styled shelves are more than just storage—they’re storytelling spaces. When designed with care and creativity, bookcases and open shelving can become elegant focal points that express your personality. Whether you're styling a statement piece or integrating storage into your everyday interiors, the right approach makes all the difference. And when paired with premium furniture, even a humble shelf transforms into high-end décor.

Here are five expert tips to help you decorate your shelves like a professional.

1. Start with a Clean Slate

Before adding anything, clear your shelves completely. This allows you to visualise the space and design with intention rather than defaulting to clutter.

  • Wipe down the surfaces to create a polished canvas.

  • Consider the backdrop—adding wallpaper, paint, or even a mirror can add instant character.

Woman decorating white wall shelves in a modern room, placing an orange vase on the top shelf. The shelves hold colourful decor items and small plants, with natural light brightening the space.

2. Balance Function and Beauty

Shelves needn’t be purely decorative or completely practical—they can be both. Use premium furniture pieces like the Hiroshi Hidden Bookcase Side Table to blur the lines between storage and statement.

Hiroshi Hidden Bookcase Side Table made from smooth walnut timber, featuring a curved vertical book storage slot filled with design and architecture books, topped with a clear glass tumbler.

This sculptural piece combines sleek design with unexpected book storage, showing how functional furniture can still evoke style.

  • Mix practical items (books, baskets) with decorative accents (vases, candles).

  • Try odd-number groupings and varied heights for visual rhythm.

3. Layer Thoughtfully

Flat, one-dimensional shelves feel stagnant. To create depth:

  • Use layering: place a smaller item in front of a larger piece like a framed print or tall vase.

  • Add greenery to soften sharp lines and introduce organic movement.

Think of each shelf as its own composition, but make sure they all relate to one another for a cohesive look.

4. Play with Colour and Texture

Your shelf décor should reflect the tones and textures of your premium furniture. If your furnishings lean toward walnut, oak, or dark hues, echo that in your shelf elements.

  • Include ceramics, woven materials, and metallics for contrast.

  • Stick to a consistent colour palette with small pops of interest.

This creates a gallery-like feel, giving your furniture and accessories room to breathe.

Modern wooden bookshelf with decorative books, framed art, small potted plants, and ceramic items arranged neatly on open shelves.

5. Tell Your Story

Great shelf styling includes a personal touch. It might be:

  • A treasured travel find

  • A framed family photo

  • A handwritten recipe in a vintage frame

Your shelves should reflect who you are. The best premium furniture invites curiosity—and your accessories should do the same.

Let Your Shelves Reflect Your Design Philosophy

Whether it’s a full wall of bookcases or a compact side table with hidden storage, styling your shelves is an opportunity to showcase both form and function. With smart choices, layered textures, and a touch of personal flair, you’ll create spaces that feel curated, not cluttered.

Explore statement-making pieces like the Hiroshi Hidden Bookcase Side Table to anchor your styling with premium furniture that balances elegance and utility.

    Back to blog