If there’s one corner of the home that’s crying out for a bit of styling love, it’s the open shelf. Whether it’s in the kitchen, living room or hallway, open shelving gives you a blank canvas to express your style — but let’s be honest, it can easily swing from beautifully styled to complete chaos.
So how do you strike the right balance? How do you make it look effortless and intentional (and not like you just shoved a plant next to a pile of receipts and hoped for the best)?
Welcome to your shelfie styling guide — handmade charm, visual balance, and a little bit of design know-how, all wrapped up in one tidy blog.
1. Start Fresh and Empty
Before you style anything, take everything off your shelf. Wipe it down and give yourself a clean slate to work with. You’ll be surprised how different it feels already — like you’re styling a boutique display rather than battling your everyday clutter.
Then lay all your pieces out on a table. This helps you see what you’re working with — and what might need to go elsewhere.
2. Think in Layers, Not Lines
The best shelf styling feels layered, not linear. Instead of arranging everything in a neat row (boring!), play with depth and height:
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Place tall items like vases or framed prints at the back
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Layer shorter items like candles or stacked books in front
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Use small décor touches like a ceramic bowl or incense holder to bridge the gaps
This creates movement and visual interest, which makes your shelf feel more dynamic.
3. Curate, Don’t Cram
More isn’t more when it comes to shelf styling. Choose fewer, more meaningful pieces and give each one its moment.
For example:
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A handmade ceramic vase with dried stems
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A stack of beautiful old books with worn spines
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A luxury diffuser in a neutral bottle
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A soft-textured candle in a warm autumn scent
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A small framed art card or line drawing
Together, these tell a story about your taste, your home, your season.
4. Embrace Odd Numbers and Visual Triangles
Styling in odd numbers is one of the oldest tricks in the book — and it works. Things grouped in threes or fives naturally feel more balanced.
And for extra polish? Think about forming visual triangles. For example:
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A tall vase, a medium-sized candle, and a tiny trinket
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Or a framed print leaning behind two shorter pieces at different angles
These little clusters create flow and keep the eye moving, which makes your shelf more engaging to look at.
5. Mix Materials for Texture
An all-wood or all-white shelf can feel flat. Instead, mix up textures:
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Add natural elements like woven baskets or linen-bound books
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Pair glazed ceramics with brass candleholders
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Bring in seasonal accents like fabric pumpkins, dried orange slices, or tiny pinecones
Texture adds warmth, even if you’re sticking to a neutral colour palette.
6. Let It Reflect the Season
Your shelfie can evolve with the time of year — and it doesn’t take much.
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Spring: Add soft greens, floral prints, and fresh or dried blooms
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Summer: Think sea glass tones, lemons, light woods and airy fabrics
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Autumn: Bring in amber, rust, soft knits, and pumpkin-shaped candles
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Winter: Cosy textures, fairy lights, darker scents and festive touches
Just a few swaps every season keeps things fresh and fun.
7. Leave Some Breathing Room
Don’t fill every gap. Negative space is important — it helps your eyes rest and gives your beautiful pieces a chance to shine.
If in doubt, remove one thing. (It’s usually the thing that’s tipping the balance.)
Bonus: Shelfie Styling in the Wild
Here are a few shelf styling spots that often get overlooked:
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Kitchen shelves: A place for pretty mugs, tea canisters and vintage glassware
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Bathroom shelves: A reed diffuser, rolled hand towels and a handmade soap dish
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Hallway ledges: A place for art cards, a key bowl and a single stem in a bud vase
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Bedroom bookcases: Not just books! Add candles, postcards, and little mementoes
Time to Style Your Shelfie?
Our handmade home décor pieces are perfect for elevating your shelves — from illustrated mini prints to artisan diffusers and ceramic vases that tell a story. Whether you’re going minimalist or full-on cottagecore, we’ve got the charm.