Living Room Shelf Ideas: Simple Design and Styling Tips

Are you looking for ideas for living room shelf decor? You're not alone! Decorating shelves in your living room can sometimes feel like a daunting task, but with a little guidance, it can become one of your favorite parts of decorating. At Shelf Love Collective, we’re passionate about helping you create beautifully styled shelves that reflect your personality and bring your living room to life.

In this blog, we’re sharing our top 7 shelf decorating tips to help you transform your living room shelves into beautifully curated displays. From choosing the perfect color palette to incorporating meaningful personal touches, we’ll guide you step by step through the process of creating a look that feels authentic and uniquely yours.

Ready to start styling? Grab your favorite decor pieces and let’s dive in!

Though you may be more excited about decorating your living room shelves, let’s pump the breaks just for a moment. Perhaps equally important is functionality and making sure you select the right types of shelves for your needs and space. After all, committing to and installing shelves can be a bit of an undertaking! Be sure to take into consideration the following.

What is the primary function of your living room shelves?

The main things to consider are space constraints, overall aesthetic and the types and quantity of items that will call these shelves their home. Are you looking for a storage solution? A room divider? A display for decorative items? A statement wall? Or most likely a combination? This assessment of your space and your “stuff” will lead you in your design decisions.

If you know you need lots of storage space for practical items like movies, cords and cables and other not-so-pretty things and you have a minimal amount of decor items you would like out on display, you may opt for a hybrid - one or two open floating shelves above counter-height cabinets with closing doors. This offers the best of both worlds - open display shelves plus the convenience of "hidden" shelves.

If you have a large collection of display-worthy items such as awkward family photos, frog figurines, or perhaps a shocking quantity of candles, you may lean towards all open shelving.  Maybe you need miles of open shelving to display your extensive collection of books, records or movies. Floor to ceiling built-ins or floor to ceiling floating shelves may be your best design option to display your collections in the light they deserve. 

The key to successful living room shelf styling lies in curating items that authentically reflect your unique personality and design style. It goes beyond the act of displaying trendy home decor items; it’s about intentionally creating a harmonious space that feels personal, inviting, and balanced. By combining textures, colors, and shapes that resonate with you, and allowing space for items with personal or sentimental value, you transform your living room shelves into a reflection of your unique style. Ultimately, it’s this blend of purpose and personality that elevates your shelves from mere storage to a true focal point of your home.

Let’s dive into our practical tips to decorate shelves in your living room like a pro!

Your decor style should inspire your design choices and guide the overall aesthetic of your living room shelves. Begin by identifying a color palette or theme that aligns with the style of your home.

Ask yourself:

• What decor style best complements the rest of your space (e.g., coastal, bohemian, minimalist, vintage, or eclectic)?

• Do you gravitate toward neutral tones, bold hues, or specific accent colors?

For a polished and balanced look, start with a neutral base and layer in complementary accent colors. This approach creates a cohesive design without feeling overwhelming. Use smaller decor pieces—such as vases, picture frames, or decorative books—to add pops of color and personality, elevating your shelves from simple storage to a thoughtfully styled focal point.

Before you rush out to buy new items, shop your home first. You might be surprised by what you already have! Gather a mix of items such as vases, books, candles, baskets, and other decorative objects. This part is all about experimenting and having fun. And don’t forget to incorporate personal touches like framed family photos, heirlooms, or souvenirs from travels. 

Other decor ideas: plants, candle holders, figurines, decorative (and functional!) storage boxes, trays and risers, pottery, geodes, bookends, art prints, dried florals, and more.

Shelf Love Pro Tip: When selecting decor for shelves in your living room, consider texture. Mixing materials like wood, metal, glass, and woven accents adds visual interest. Before styling, group your decor items by material to make it easier to evenly distribute textures across your shelves.

When styling your living room shelves, grouping decor items in odd numbers—like threes or fives—is a simple yet effective way to create visual interest and balance. Odd-numbered arrangements feel dynamic and natural, drawing the eye effortlessly. To make these groupings stand out, vary the height, size, and texture of the objects. For instance, you might pair a tall ceramic vase with a mid-sized decorative box and a small sculptural piece. This contrast not only adds depth but ensures your display feels curated and captivating.

Start by assessing the size of your shelves to determine how many focal points they can accommodate. For larger shelves, aim for one to three focal points per shelf, leaving some space in between to keep the design airy and uncluttered. On smaller shelves, a single statement piece—such as a framed piece of art, a woven basket, or a striking vase—can make a big impact.

Next, identify the items with the most visual weight—your anchors. Distribute these anchor items evenly throughout your shelves, alternating their placement to create a sense of balance. For example, place one anchor item on the left side of a shelf, the next on the right side of the following shelf, and so on, forming a zig-zag pattern. If you have three or more shelves, consider skipping a shelf between similar anchor items, such as positioning a basket on the first shelf and then again on the third.

Fill the spaces between your anchors with smaller, neutral items that add interest without overwhelming the design. Books, candles, or subtle decorative objects work well as fillers, helping to tie the overall look together while keeping the arrangement cohesive and intentional.

Shelf Love Pro Tip: Place heavier objects like baskets or large pottery on lower shelves and lighter items on higher ones. This creates a sense of visual stability.

Stacks and layers are key techniques for adding dimension and visual interest to your shelves. Stacks—such as horizontally arranged books, magazines, or decorative risers—serve as versatile platforms that can elevate smaller decor items. Start by placing the largest item at the bottom and build upward with smaller pieces, creating a balanced and intentional display. This method not only maximizes space but also gives smaller decor items, like candles or figurines, their moment to shine.

For even more depth, embrace layering. Use larger pieces, such as artwork, framed photos, or shallow baskets, as the backdrop, and prop them up at the back of the shelf. Then, add smaller items like vases or decorative objects in front to create a dynamic, multi-dimensional arrangement. These techniques ensure your shelves feel curated and full of personality without appearing flat or cluttered.

Books are one of the most versatile elements for styling living room shelves. Alternate between stacking books horizontally and arranging them vertically to add variety and visual interest. Horizontal stacks can double as platforms for smaller decor items like candles, vases, or figurines, adding height and dimension to your display. If your book collection features mismatched colors or patterns, opt for decorative book covers or linen-wrapped books to create a more cohesive and polished look. This simple touch ensures your shelves feel curated while still reflecting your personality.

Once you’ve styled your shelves, step back and assess the overall look. Does it feel balanced? Are there areas that seem too cluttered or too sparse? Edit as needed, and don’t be afraid to rearrange items until you’re happy with the result.

Shelf Love Pro Tip: Rotate your decor seasonally to keep your living room shelves fresh and exciting. Store off-season items in a box so you can easily swap them out.

Final Thoughts

Decorating shelves in your living room doesn’t have to be intimidating. With these shelf decorating ideas, you’ll be well on your way to creating a space that feels both stylish and personal. Remember to take your time, have fun, and let your shelves tell a story about who you are.

Need more guidance? Check out our Shelf Styling Guide for an in-depth look at styling single or multiple shelves, design principles, and layout examples. We’re here to make living room shelf decor fun and inspiring so you can love your shelves!

Happy styling! 🏡✨