Shelving can often be overlooked as a purely functional need in your home for storage, without much consideration for stylistic choices. But with the right advice, your shelves can become a fabulous focal point in any room.
Whether you’re looking to add personality to your home or simply want to reorganise your bookshelves, there are a few tips and tricks you can use to elevate the look.
So while it’s all too easy to overstack your shelves and fill them with every trinket you can find, if you want them to look their best, interior designer Kelly Hoppen has some professional guidance for you.
Kelly Hoppen’s shelf styling tips
From transitioning bedrooms with the ‘halo effect’ for cosy season to finessing foolproof gallery wall placement, there’s nothing we don’t trust Kelly Hoppen to style perfectly. Her latest advice, shared on Instagram @kellyhoppen, is to help you make your shelves look effortlessly chic and considered.
“There’s nothing I love more than decorating shelves,” says Kelly. “But looking at my Instagram messages, I get it is the hardest thing for people to do because you look at three shelves and think, ‘What do I put up first?”.
Even if you’re a lover of curated clutter, when it comes to open shelving, it can be hard to get it right. How much is too much, and what colours should you opt for? Kelly has the answers.
“Just to show you that if you’re starting off, it’s sometimes easier to choose two or three colours rather than going random with everything,” starts Kelly.
It can be tempting to play with a few too many of the interior colour trends, but keeping it simple with a cohesive palette or a minimal amount will be more effective. With her second shelf display, Kelly demonstrates how you can play with various neutrals without going overboard.
“Look at the colour combinations, we have white, you have slightly powder-coated off-white, a minimal amount of black, and you’ve got this sand colour and greys. So you’ve got around 8 to 9 neutrals,” explains Kelly.
(Image credit: Future)
Aside from colour palettes, there are certain objects and accessories you can use that will elevate the look of your shelves quickly and easily.
“You can see that I always use books; books are your best friends on shelves, as they give you different heights and levels. If we have a look at the top(black and white display), we’ve got two black books and two very small candle holders, which kind of go in an L-shape,” states Kelly.
Of course, it’s not just a matter of what you put on your shelves but also how you place them. It’s all about creating movement in the display and not just putting everything on one side or the other. Even leaving gaps in your shelving is crucial.
“The empty spaces are just as important as filling them. It’s all about balance,” Kelly adds.
Kelly’s response online is proof alone that many homeowners see shelf styling as a decor challenge, with one user saying, “Great practical advice, Kelly! Thank you, shelves can be difficult.”
Another Instagram user comments, “Absolutely love this! Learned so much from this, thank you so much 🖤”
So if you’re ready to declutter your home and transform your shelves, follow Kelly’s wisdom to strike the perfect balance.
Shop shelf styling accessories
M&S X Kelly Hoppen
Large Scallop Edge Vase
RRP: £35 | This intriguing vase is crafted from durable ceramic with a premium matte coating – embodying the quiet luxury ethos and perfect for shelving.
M&S X Kelly Hoppen
Pebble table lamp
RRP: £69 | Adding lighting to your shelves is an easy and efficient way of creating more dimension. It also helps keep the beauty of your styled shelving even into the evening.
M&S X Kelly Hoppen
Angular Glass Vase
RRP: £15 | This is the design of choice if you’re looking to add some contrast to your shelves, thanks to its striking dark glass material and contemporary angular finish.
Chanel
Chanel: Collections and Creations, Hardcover
RRP: £21.99 | Want to take Kelly’s advice and add some elevated books to your display? This Chanel hardcover from Amazon is incredibly chic and would look right at home in anyone’s space.
Next
Natural Marble Effect Resin Sculptural Bowl
RRP: £42 | Copy Kelly’s filled floral dish with this sculptural bowl from next. It’s in a chic natural marble and will complement a number of neutral colour palettes.
Dunelm
Set of 3 Damita Black Candlestick Holders
RRP: £60 | Play around with varying heights with this set of three black candlestick holders. Why not try stacking them on some books or placing them in front of a white canvas for added contrast?
Want to try more of Kelly’s golden advice? Her surprising recommendation of this vivid colour might just have you ready to give your home a bold makeover.
