DESIGNER TRICKS FOR BEAUTIFULLY ARRANGED SHELVES

DESIGNER TRICKS FOR BEAUTIFULLY ARRANGED SHELVES-stonegableblog.com

Have you ever looked at a hutch, bookshelf or even some open shelves and thought, “How did they do that so fabulously and why can’t I”? Oh, me too! I’ve spent lots of time pouring over beautifully arranged shelves and have come to the conclusion…there are some things that designers do over and over again that make their shelves over-the-top! And there’s no reason we shouldn’t use these tricks too! So I applied a couple of these easy-to-do tricks and they worked! My shelves got better and better!  And if they can do it so can I and YOU! So, today I’m sharing designer tricks for arranging shelves!

DESIGNER TRICKS FOR BEAUTIFULLY ARRANGED SHELVES- We can do this! -stonegableblog.com

Today is FARMHOUSE FRIDAY! I’m thrilled to be partying with some very talented bloggers with a farmhouse flair! It’s all about FALL DECOR today!!! Make sure you visit the farmhouse blogs at the end of this post!

Fall-Farmhouse-Collage-400

I’m showing you how I decorated my family room farmhouse hutch for fall… and sharing some designer tricks for arranging shelves like a pro!

DESIGNER TRICKS FOR BEAUTIFULLY ARRANGED SHELVES- We can do this! -stonegableblog.com

Here is the first of the two big take-aways from this post…

IF YOU WANT FABULOUS SHELVES DON’T USE THEM TO STORE YOUR “STUFF”

I know this sound counter intuitive because shelves are for storing things! Here’s what I’m saying… most of the time we need to decide how we want to use our shelves, hutches, and bookshelves that are in plain sight. Yes, we can store some beautiful things on them but we if fill them with “stuff” we can’t expect them to look like they came out of a magazine! 

If your shelves are part of your decor treat them as decor spaces!

DESIGNER TRICKS FOR BEAUTIFULLY ARRANGED SHELVES- We can do this! -stonegableblog.com

TRY A LIMITED COLOR PALETTE

DESIGNER TRICKS FOR BEAUTIFULLY ARRANGED SHELVES- We can do this! -stonegableblog.com

We all love and strive for  shelves that look cohesive and “put together”. One great way to do this is to use only a very few colors to decorate them.

Choose one color that will be primary in your arranging. Then choose a couple other colors that compement that color! Or choose one neutral color and a big pop of saturated color used very sparingly!

Give this a try. It makes a huge difference! 

I used a primarily white and creamy white color palette with just a tad of galvanized metal and a little pop of brilliant fall orange.

DIVIDE YOUR SHELVES INTO A VISUAL GRID

DESIGNER TRICKS FOR BEAUTIFULLY ARRANGED SHELVES- We can do this! -stonegableblog.com

The easiest way to know where to place something on a bookshelf or hutch is to divide the shelves up visually into a grid. My favorite way to divide an area like the one above is a nine box grid! Boy, does that make decorating the entire thing easier!

DESIGNER TRICKS FOR BEAUTIFULLY ARRANGED SHELVES- We can do this! -stonegableblog.com

In my space above I decorated every box in the grid. This is not always necessary. Actually, it’s a very good to let a box or two rest without anything in them. But, I’m such an over embelllisher that I can’t resist filling it all in! This is a case of do what I say… not as I do!

REPEAT ELEMENTS

DESIGNER TRICKS FOR BEAUTIFULLY ARRANGED SHELVES- We can do this! -stonegableblog.com

Just like we repeat element in decorating our homes, we should do the same with our shelves. Repeat color, metals, design elements, and textured.  Repeat elements on a diagonal, as shown above. Doing this will keep your eyes bouncing around your shelves and they will be so happy!

DESIGNER TRICKS FOR BEAUTIFULLY ARRANGED SHELVES- We can do this! -stonegableblog.com

Other repeated elements on my shelves are… pumpkins, bittersweet, fall leaves, milk bottle vases, platters, cake stands, game pieces and galvanized metal.

VARRY HEIGHTS

DESIGNER TRICKS FOR BEAUTIFULLY ARRANGED SHELVES- We can do this! -stonegableblog.com

 This is a must for an interesting arrangement! Go tall and short and in between. Varying the heights of objects is pleasing to our eyes and keep them bouncing from one thing to another taking in everything on the shelves! 

Here’s the second big take-away from this post…

LAYER DECOR

DESIGNER TRICKS FOR BEAUTIFULLY ARRANGED SHELVES- We can do this! -stonegableblog.com

Learning to layer decor will really make a hutch or bookshelf look like it was done by a pro! Stand up plates in the back of shelves, add books as risers, tuck in seasonal decor. Stack, stack, stack!

DESIGNER TRICKS FOR BEAUTIFULLY ARRANGED SHELVES- We can do this! -stonegableblog.com

Layering decor adds depth and tons of charm!!!

It could be something as simple and easy and the pumpkins above. Instead of letting the trio stand alone, I put them in a galvanized metal container and put that on a small white platter. And to embellish this mimi vignette even more I added another repeated element to it… bittersweet! 

EDIT EDIT EDIT

DESIGNER TRICKS FOR BEAUTIFULLY ARRANGED SHELVES- We can do this! -stonegableblog.com

Before you call your decorated shelves “done” stand back and give the whole thing a good look. Then edit! And edit some more! I had lots of leaves in this arrangement and took most of them out. I like the edited, cleaner touch-of-fall look!

I am not a less-is-best kind of a girl, so this trick is always a little difficult for me! I am certainly not a minimalist! But I’m learning to be more discriminating!

DESIGNER TRICKS FOR BEAUTIFULLY ARRANGED SHELVES- We can do this! -stonegableblog.com

This is the first fall for me to decorate the farmhouse hutch! What fun!!!!

Now make sure you visit the following blogs and see how beautifully they do fall…farmhouse style!

Fall-Farmhouse-Collage-400

Images from top to bottom:

Faded Charm | House of Hawthornes | The Everyday Home |

Buckets of Burlap | StoneGable Blog | Town and Country Living

Pin It

You can follow me on Pinterest and see all the great things I’m finding to pin every day HERE.

DESIGNER TRICKS FOR BEAUTIFULLY ARRANGED SHELVES-stonegableblog.com

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

43 Comments

  1. Wow, who knew? Thanks for taking the mystique out of arranging our shelves. I love your neutral take on fall, so fresh X

  2. Decorating bookshelves has always been a challenge for me. Thank you so much for sharing these very helpful tips, especially the grid, that is going to help so much! I love how you styled your bookshelf, so pretty!!!!

  3. Thanks for the tip. Love your hutch, love everything you do.

  4. That was incredibly helpful. Thank you! Enjoy your first weekend of Fall!

  5. Lanita Anderson says:

    Thanks for the tips – they were not only very helpful, but very enlightening, as well. I love the way you “styled” your hutch for fall….so pretty!
    Happy Fall,
    Lanita

  6. Everything looks beautiful! Do you have any tips for styling book shelves (I mean with actual books on them!) I want my shelves to look beautiful, but I love books and reading books, and I don’t want it to look like I only consider books to be accessories. Anything you have figured out on this subject would be so appreciated!

  7. This is such a great post, lots of great info, your shelf is beautifully done as always. I always enjoy your blog and your home is beautiful you are a talented blessed woman of God! Have a great day! :))

  8. Your shelves are beautiful, and I love the hutch! Where did you find it?
    Could you explain the ‘diagonal arrows’ more? I thought I understood: the orange arrow shows repeating the orange berries, and the blue arrow shows the pumpkins, but then I noticed a pumpkin in the orange line also. So what do you consider the repeat?
    This is such helpful information. I already use the plates, books, etc. but have never considered repeating items in a design. thank you so much for sharing all your wonderful tips!

    1. Hi Linda. I got the farmhouse hutch from Joss & Main. It’s a Paula Deen product. It’s called the Paula Deen Down Home China Cabinet in Oatmeal. I got it for less than half price. Also check Wayfair, they have it sometimes too

  9. I love this! You have simplified for me…..thank you! Im going to work on my antique china cupboard today, you have inspired me.

  10. Your hutch is gorgeous! I love the way you have layered the whites, metals, and colors. Where did you find that gorgeous galvanized bowl (on legs?)

    1. Hi Barbara, the galvanized shallow bowl with the little ball legs came from Decor Steals! LOVE their products!

  11. This was the best post I’ve ever read on decorating shelves! Fabulous tips! I liked your opening about if you want beautiful shelves, don’t use them to store your “stuff.” 🙂 I also found the repeating elements tip and thinking of a grid to be helpful. Editing is hard, but so important. Love what you’ve done with your shelves! Happy weekend! ~julie

  12. Yvonne, you are an incredibly talented woman! These are FABULOUS tips for arranging shelves. These should be on a billboard somewhere! Everyone needs to learn this! Thank you for sharing your talents with us.

    Question about an old “favorite” post — bleached pinecones. The ribbon you used looks sort of light beige, and velvet, right? I love that look. I’ve looked high and low for narrow velvet ribbon. None at Michael’s, none at JoAnn’s. Any suggestions? Where did you get yours?

    I’m helping my son’s fiance decorate her November wedding with bleached pine cones on the reception tables — she’s thrilled. But I want that ribbon!

    Blessings to you and have a wonderful weekend.

  13. Oh.My.Goodness. THIS is EXACTLY what I’m looking for!

    Thanks. I promise to send you pics, GF.

  14. Thank you Yvonne for another great post! I’ve always felt styling bookshelves was a bit of a mystery. I Your strategy for a balanced and cohesive look is so helpful. Any ideas where to display family photos? Happy Fall!

    1. You are so welcome, Penny. I think shelves are very hard to style too!

  15. What a great post. I needed this, and the step by step way you broke it down was so helpful. Your shelves look awesome!

  16. Just in time for the upcoming holidays! I have always had trouble styling shelves. Great ideas and the grid is so helpful. Love your home and the way you style EVERYTHING!!!

    j

  17. Yvonne,
    Great Tips, dear friend!!!
    I adore your idea of using a grid!!!
    I have a glass front cabinet,
    and I use the door closed as a basis for where to set the items of interest.
    Filling in the areas not seen can be challenging!!!
    I, also enjoyed seeing your diagonal arrows.
    I, too, do similar. Being a Teacher Reading Aide for many years,
    I use a zig~zag method as in reading from Left~to~Right!
    Thank you for sharing and always inspiring with amazing advice!!!
    Wishing you a wonderful First Weekend of Autumn ahead!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

  18. As always, you did an excellent job of breaking down the elements, which now I will copy.

  19. Sherry Myers says:

    Yvonne,
    Magazine worthy shelf styling! ” How to Book” worthy ideas and design. Thank you! This post is inspirational.
    The more I think about it, I have to read it again, and again, and…
    Sherry

  20. Fabulous tips and advice my friend. I love how you broke it dow in a grid pattern. Can I just say I am envious of your bittersweet. I miss the quantity I was able to get when we lived in Newport. I enjoyed being in Frmhouse Friday with you too. xxoo, Barb

  21. GwenCondit says:

    I think it’s fun to see galvanized canisters on your top shelf. I’m a color person…except Christmas the last few years!! So this year my black rooster on red crock became my starting off theme for black, red and turquoise. It extended to the table too. Amazingly tallish!! Last year was turquoise and Orange. Which I love also. I never seem to repeat things but I’m very slow–brain work to get each shelf just right–and yes, I don’t feel well after for a couple of days but I enjoy for months! I’m checking out ideas to add to my Christmas white. I’ve got some ideas up my sleeve. Thank you!! I love the divide by nine. Makes sense

  22. GwenCondit says:

    I meant to say I’m checking this all white arrangement closely for a few ideas for my Christmas hutch. Thank you for the idea of dividing into nine spaces. It helps us out!

  23. Aahhh, such great advice! there is not a combo I love more than white dishes, galvanized metal and warm wood. Just perfect!!

  24. Just got to read this post , thank you for the how to it is very helpful.
    Have a great day.

  25. Love the way you broke this down and using a grid is really a great idea!

  26. Love, love, love your style! I’m realizing that a more neutral color palate is key in creating an uncluttered visual. I have too many tchotchkes on display on my shelves, too much color, and it feels a bit overwhelming. I’m thinking of removing it all and starting over with a more neutral palatte. You’re so inspiring!

    1. Vicky, just removing the tchotchkes will make a huge difference! Glad this helps!

  27. Great tipsand so well explained! Once I started decorating this way, it has really helped me to love my shelf arrangements a whole lot more. Wish I had this post before, it’s only been through trial and error that I actually figured it out. Thank you!!

  28. So many great tips, Yvonne! I’m saving them to put in practice next time I arrange my shelves. Thanks!

  29. Sherry Pelle says:

    I love this fall decor Yvonne! And I love the white, which I am trying to collect and paint anything white that I can get my hands on!

  30. Sherry Pelle says:

    One more thing, I just love, love, love how you added game pieces to the shelves!!!

  31. Thank you so much for the info. Im doing a booth at an antique mall and im finding your insight WONDERFUL and so HELPFUL! Thanks again.
    Btw your vignette is drool worthy!