Shelf Decor Ideas: What Decor to Put on Shelves

If you are looking for some shelf decor inspiration and wondering what the heck to put on your shelves, we’ve got you covered!

Instead of going to a store to buy shelf decor, try using items from your own home. Use these ideas to decorate your shelves creatively. You may be surprised at what common household items become the perfect display-worthy shelf decor.

After checking out our top 12 shelf decor ideas, put that inspiration to use with the help of our popular shelf styling blog, “How to Decorate a Shelf”. For a deep dive including shelf styling principles, practical tips and layout ideas, check out our Shelf Styling Guide (we refer to this PDF as the Holy Grail of shelf styling).

Here are some ideas for decorating your shelves. Find inspiration and begin decorating your shelves today!

Shelves are the perfect platforms to show off your personality and there is nothing more personal than framed photos of family and friends displayed on your shelf. Even if you do not have pictures from a professional photo shoot, shelf sized pictures don’t need to be super high quality to tell your story and bring a smile. 

Framed art prints and graphics can add a ton of style, color, and help balance out smaller shelf decor items. Try layering larger framed prints behind smaller ones for added interest and depth. 

Whether you travel regularly or once in a blue moon, odds are you have picked up some special mementos here and there. These treasures have shelf decor material written all over them because they carry with them stories, memories and often some unique flair that you can’t find in big box stores. 

Family heirlooms passed down through generations deserve a special place in the home. What better place than a shelf? 

Some family keepsakes can make for interesting shelf decor items, while some are best kept boxed up in the attic - that’s up to you to decide. Here are some ideas - some shelf worthy, some not so much: your great grandpa’s duck whistle, a vintage film camera, a viking helmet, the world’s largest chewing gum ball, a samurai sword, a coin collection, a hand-painted cowbell, a collection of preserved insects... possibilities are endless.

Next on the list are statues, sculptures, and other decorative art in three dimensional form. These shelf decor items add interest and break up “flat” or two dimensional items such as books and framed prints. 

What artful objects strike your fancy? Horses, sailboats, pyramids, replicas of famous statues, abstract faces or forms? This is a fun shelf decor category where there is no wrong answer. Rather, pick out items that you just plain like and maybe can’t even explain why! 

Books go with shelves like peanut butter and jelly, milk and cookies, avocados and toast. You almost can’t have one without the other. Even if your shelves are not primarily for book storage, books make great decorative additions to living room shelves, bedroom shelves, office shelves, and kitchen shelves (hello recipe books!). If your book jackets clash with your color scheme, consider linen wrapped books or flipping them so the spines face in for a more neutral look. 

Have a book obsession? Break up rows of books by alternating laying them horizontally in small stacks and vertically with creative bookends like statues or potted plants. 

Plants, in our opinion, are essential to shelf decorating. They bring life, color and a touch of nature into the home. 

There are many types of plants to consider for your shelves, and not to worry - you can choose plant types by your confidence level in caring for them. 

Here are some ideas from most care to least: indoor house plants in decorative pots, succulents (fairly hard to kill), fresh flowers or wildflowers in vases (just need to be switched out once they wilt), dried plants (dead by design), or faux plants (never alive to begin with). 

Another shelf decor staple, candles are beautiful additions whether you actually light them or not. In fact, candle holders are nice shelf decor items whether you have actual candles in them or not! 

Try grouping three elegant candlesticks of varying heights, a votive candle in an attractive vessel (even better if it’s refillable!), or a pillar candle on a decorative riser. You really can’t go wrong incorporating candles of any shape or size.

Ceramics can add both form and function to your shelves - pottery, vases, vessels and bowls. Utilize as plant pots, flower vases, group them in varying heights and shapes, or as stand alone statement pieces. A beautiful ceramic bowl from your kitchen can be repurposed as shelf decor to hold decorative items or to simply sit on a stack of books.  

We love this category of shelf decor. We almost always utilize baskets in styling shelves. They are both stylish and useful - they add natural texture to the overall aesthetic and they can even hide practical items or be used in lieu of plant pots.

When decorating shelves, variety in materials is key to creating balance and interest. You can combine woven baskets, ceramics, glass, wood, or other natural elements. Glass shelf decor ideas include vases, bowls, jars, and bottles.

When decorating shelves, think about using wooden items like trays, bowls, or boxes for a natural touch. You can place wood trays or cutting boards upright on your shelf as a backdrop for smaller decor, adding a dimensional layer.

Small wood boxes share the same practical element as baskets for storing items. You can borrow a wooden bowl from your kitchen to serve as a beautiful shelf decor accent.

Shelves make it easy to update your home decor and give it a new look with seasonal decorations. If you like decorating shelves and getting into the holiday spirit, switch out some of your shelf decor for festive pieces.

Here are some seasonal shelf decor ideas.

• Spring shelf decor ideas: fresh florals and greenery, dried wildflowers, floral candles, Easter decor

• Summer shelf decor ideas: tropical flowers, citrus candles, seashells, sea glass and other beach decor

• Fall shelf decor ideas: small pumpkins and gourds, pinecones, warm fall colored candles and foliage, Halloween decor.

• Winter shelf decor ideas: garlands, holly, dried berries, reindeer, Christmas trees, lanterns, white and red candles and twinkle lights.

Above all else, we encourage you to have fun decorating your shelves and adding your own unique personality.

Whether you are looking for a handmade ceramic vase to add a pop of color, a unique sculpture to create a focal point, or a set of sustainable wooden bookends to keep your favorite reads in place, Shelf Love Collective has something for everyone. 

By supporting artisans and choosing ethically made products, you can feel good about the items you display in your home. So go ahead, browse through our collections and find that perfect piece to complete your shelf decor. Happy decorating!