Shelf Styling

My favorite thing to style: my bookshelves. I find myself constantly moving things around and it strangely brings me so much joy. These are the builtins in our family room and it is one of my favorite spaces in the house. The family room in general is one of my favorite spots. We have high, vaulted ceilings with huge windows looking out to the backyard and it is such a warm, happy place and where we spend almost all of our time. I've changed up our shelves since I posted the family room to the blog but the rest of the details and sources can be found on that post.

Wallpapering the backs of shelves makes such a statement and really adds character to your space. I wanted something calming and easy- I didn't want a busy paper that would take away from the beautiful artwork we had made by Kristen Tirney. I wanted something that would compliment our artwork and the decor we have displayed on our shelves. We chose a vinyl paper by Phillip Jefferies and it's called Mirror Mirror and the color is Once Upon A Grey. It is much lighter in person, especially in a bright room. Obviously, wallpapering is not necessary by any means but it can really pull the space together.

STEP 1: Before you begin styling your shelves, you should choose a color palette! I chose one accent color-pale teal/aqua and kept everything else neutral with whites and light greys. I really wanted to keep my shelves clean, serene and simple.

STEP 2: Find your important, must have, sentimental pieces that you know you want displayed and work form there. For me those pieces are: pictures from our wedding day, some baby and family photos, a few books and coffee table books that were special gifts, decor pieces I've picked up in some of our favorite places, a vase one of my oldest friends made for me, and the most beautiful rock that Charlie found on the beach. I switched out a few frames to keep everything looking similar: silver frames and acrylic magnetic frames. You can get a five pack of 5x7s for $39 here!

STEP 3: Gather your fillers: aka your clunkiest items that take up the most space. Think large coffee table books, large vases, bowls and trays. Scatter them about your shelves making sure to alternate sides. Stack your coffee table books both horizontally and vertically. I love stacking three books and placing something pretty on top.

STEP 4: Add your trinkets! Balls, sculptures, rocks and crystals, picture frames, small vases, bookends and candles. Make sure you aren't replicating the same pattern on each shelf. For example, if you have a large vase on the right side of the shelf, don't put another large, similar item on the same side of the shelf above or below it. Mix it up and layer!

STEP 5-1,000,000: Take a step back and eye it out. Change it up until you are happy with your shelves!

This weekend is a great chance to pick up some pieces for your shelves because there are so many home sales going on. I've rounded up some fun pieces below for your shelves and also linked to some amazing home sites that are having sitewide sales! Happy shelfing!

// SALES //

MCGEE & CO: 20% off with code BEMINE. My wooden spheres that I bought on Nantucket are also available on McGee & Co. I have about ten of them displayed in a bowl on our shelves. They also have a great selection of coffee table books and bookends. I have this one and this one is on my list. We have this candle and we keep it in our bedroom and it smells like I'm at the spa.

ONE KINGS LANE: 20% off sitewide. Great time to snag furniture you've been eyeing- my living room chairs are included! I also love this swivel chair.

TARGET: This is a pretty good one- 20% off almost everything home related. Patio furniture included- some good finds!

POTTERY BARN: Up to 40% off everything!