Decorating ideas for bookshelves in living room

Bookshelf Decor Ideas: Simple Formulas That Work!

In this post: Struggling with how to decorate a bookshelf? I’m sharing my simple tried and true formulas for adding bookshelf decor that works!

Our previous home was pretty limited on closet and storage space, but we’ve had LOTS of built-in bookcases so I was basically forced to figure out how to decorate shelves and bookcases to keep those rooms from looking bare and boring. And I’ve made it super easy for you to do too by sharing six simple formulas that you can use to jump-start your shelf decorating. So if you’ve got some bare shelves that have been bugging you, hopefully you’ll find the inspiration and know-how to finally decorate those babies up! Let’s head on into the family room first… (post includes affiliate links – full disclosure statement available {here})

Most of you have been following my blog long enough that you’ve seen this space many times before but if you’re here for the first time, you can check out more pics of it and get a better idea of the layout of the two bookcases in the room {here}. Whoever designed this bookcase made it pretty easy on me because they broke the shelves up in a way that the shelving space on both the left and right sides is perfect for housing a single decorative accessory so for those it was one and done:

The middle shelves aren’t quite as simple but I figured out a few no-fail formulas as takeaways for you to use:

#1. Books + bookend next to filled bowl

Choose 5-8 books (you can bring some color into your space by choosing ones with spines in your favorite colors or by wrapping them in a favorite fabric or you can keep things neutral by turning the books around so the pages show instead of the spines) and add a decorative bookend. My favorite online source for unique bookends is Etsy {here}. Place a bowl next to it (it doesn’t have to be wood – it can be metal, woven, etc.) and fill it with something decorative. These are a few of my favorites:

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I threw in a bunch of faux cabbages that I had laying around after using them on my fall fireplace mantel but you could also use decorative ceramic balls, faux flowers, shells…. just about anything!

#2. Leaning books + ball shaped accessory next to vase on books/box

Lean a few books (starting with one or two that are fairly tall) against the end of the bookcase and put some type of ball shaped accessory next to it such as my oyster shell ball (you can find a similar one {here}). The rope whatchamacallit on the bottom right of my bookcase would have worked well in that spot too! Next to it, place a either a shallow box or two stacked books and put a medium sized vase (mine was a HomeGoods find!) on top.

#3. Tray or art print in middle + tall accessory on left + low accessory on right

Start with a sizable shallow round tray (mine was a thrift store find but {this one} is similar) or an art print or mirror (it doesn’t have to be round – square or rectangular would work fine too). Ideally you want something fairly tall but you can always cheat like I did and put a few books under it to add height. Add a tall accessory such as a plant on one side (this is my FAVORITE plant – it’s a type of snake plant and it survives even the worst neglect!) and an accessory that’s fairly low in height on the other. I used {this dried star pod} – it’s kinda weird but I kinda love it and have used it on my fireplace mantel too! I have another example of this formula on our other bookcase too – let’s head that way…

Can you guess which shelf it is? Yep, the middle shelf on the left – there’s a center art print (mine is similar to {this} Let’s Stay Home printable) with a small plant on one side and a large accessory (like {this candelabra} that’s similar to mine) on the other:

And there are two other simple formulas you can steal from this second bookcase:

#4.Tall, thin accessory + smaller accessory next to framed print

Start with a tall, thin accessory such as a vase (mine is a HomeGoods find!) and add a small accessory in front and a bit to the side. Place a framed photo, art print, or a mirror next to it. In choosing your accessories, the important thing is to have some variety in height (my vase is closer in height to my framed photo than I’d actually like – having a several inch difference is best!).

#5. Large accessory next to decorative box + small accent piece on top

Start with a large accessory – it can be a sculpture like mine, a bust, a ceramic horse head…. pretty much anything! Then next to it, place either a horizontal stack of a few books or a decorative box (such as {this black & white striped box that I have}) and then add a small accent piece (such as {this small piece of coral} on top of the box.

Now we’re going to head on into our home office but before we go did you notice that the top middle shelf = formula #1?! It’s definitely a formula that works because I didn’t even realize I had decorated two shelves the same basic way until writing up this post 🙂

I’ve shown our home office on the blog and Instagram many times before but usually I’m sharing pics of our gallery wall that’s on the other side of the room. Today we’re turning the camera round to the big ole built-in bookcase:

A chunk of the shelving space is already taken up by a TV and two speakers and the area above the desk has little wood cubbies that I filled with {these IKEA KVARNVIK boxes} but there was still plenty of shelving in need of some styling:

I came up with two more shelf styling formulas you can use as take-aways to style your own shelves:

#6.

Books + vase (or similar) as bookend + long, narrow basket

Start with a few upright books on the end of the shelf and then use a vase or other decorative accessory as a bookend. Anything that’s the right height and heavy enough to support the books will work so it’s a great spot for something unique and/or meaningful – for ex., I love horseback riding and have used my old saddle stirrups as bookends before. Here are a few vases I love that would work:

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Next to it, add a long, narrow basket that you can put books in, fill with something decorative, or use as storage for office supplies, etc. (mine has some of my zillion fabric samples in it). Having more variation in the height of everything (i.e. taller books and a shorter vase) than my shelf does would look better – do what I say, not what I do – ha!

#7. Upright books + horizontal books + small decorative object

This is one of my simplest shelf styling formulas and one I use all of the time (including on the shelf above the TV in this bookcase). You simply stand about 4-6 books upright on the end, then lay 1-2 books down right next to them and put a small decorative accessory on top. I LOVE white coral and have several pieces of it so am using that on top of the book but it can be anything including sentimental pieces like those big ole ceramic pieces that kids make in art class and you don’t know what to do with! Place whatever you want next to this little arrangement on the shelf – I layered a piece of plaid artwork that my youngest daughter made plus a brass pig that feeds my weird love for brass animals.

Update! I’ve started decorating our shelves in our new house – you might get a few new ideas from these too:

Tips & Ideas for What to Put on Your Shelves

I hope you guys found those formulas to be helpful – I’m a girl who likes to spell it all out! To wrap things up, I wanted to share a few final tips and suggestions to keep in mind when you’re decorating your shelves:

Odd numbers typically work best – you’ll notice that most of my formulas involve doing things in 3’s
Keep things interesting with lots of different textures (like chunky baskets, coral, etc. ) and finishes (different metals, colors, etc.)
Don’t be afraid to leave some empty space! My large jug on the bottom shelf in our family room is all alone on a shelf that’s a couple feet long but it works!
Show your personality, interests, etc. Shelves are a great place to put family photos, keepsakes, or anything that makes you smile. They can be filled with books too but don’t have to be. Whenever I share a pic of our bookcases on Instagram, at least one person says “bookshelves should be for books”. Nope. They should be for whatever you want them to be – it’s your home so do what you love!
Stagger the heights of your objects (but you guys already picked up this tip earlier, right?!)
If you don’t have enough light to keep plants alive on your shelves, go with faux! There are some great ones out there:

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Dress up your bookcase by lining the back of your shelves with wallpaper! I used {this grasscloth wallpaper} on my shelves in the family room.

Phew… are you still with me?! Drop a comment and let me know if you have any questions or if I just confused the heck out of you!

XO,

20 Chic Bookshelf Decorating Ideas

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Eye-catching ways to display your reading collection, regardless of size or budget.

By Monique Valeris

Feb 4, 2021

Dominic Blackmore

There's nothing a book lover appreciates more than a comfortable, stylish spot to enjoy their collection. When it comes to design, this can translate to a cozy nook with a few floating shelves or a spacious library with floor-to-ceiling built-ins. Plus, the styling opportunities for bookshelves are endless. You can decorate shelves with artwork or lush greenery, dress them up with a trendy paint color or wallpaper, stack books vertically or horizontally — the list goes on and on.

To offer some guidance on how to decorate your own bookshelves, consider this roundup of inspiring designs. These 20 bookshelf decorating ideas are proof that creativity, attention to detail and a well-curated collection are all it takes.

Erika Lapresto/Studio D

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A Lesson in Scale

Every bookshelf deserves that one oversized statement piece, like a brass geometric sculpture or a heartwarming black-and-white photograph.

Laura Moss

2 of 20

Vignette on Top

If you have a collection — vintage fans, for instance — make them a part of your bookshelf setup. Fill the empty space on top of your shelves with your treasured finds.

Lisa Romerein

3 of 20

Layers of Accessories

Upgrade all-white shelves with unique decor, including a petite table lamp and striking vases. Keep stacks of books to a minimum to let your design aesthetic shine.

Courtesy of Joni Lay

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Toy Display

Curious about how to encourage your kid's love of reading? Complement a playful display of books with some of their favorite colorful toys.

Kate Osborne

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Concealed Collection

If your shelves are on the ornate side, show them off by placing books in matching storage bins.

Courtesy of Chatbooks

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Blue Penny Tiles

Thanks to baby-blue penny tiles, these custom office shelves, which are inspired by a mid-century modern credenza, are the perfect old-meets-new-look.

Jeff Herr

7 of 20

China Collection

There's no reason why you can't use your shelves to highlight a treasured china collection. Balance the display with color-coordinated books.

Stacey Bass

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Coastal Vibe

Play up a coastal feel with greenery (a small palm tree is a no-fail choice), woven baskets and a container full of seashells.

Lisa Romerein

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Worldly Look

Miss traveling abroad? Use your bookshelf to showcase some of the curios you've collected over the years. Finish the look by placing a few globes on an upper shelf to stay on theme.

Justice Darragh

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All White

White shelves dressed with wooden decorative boxes and neat book stacks bring character to this living room setup.

Dominic Blackmore

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Pastel Touches

Accessories boasting pops of soft pink, robin's egg blue and lemon yellow are a brilliant choice for a spring shelf upgrade.

Courtesy of Chatbooks

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Office Setup

From a framed diploma to a brass tea set, this well-styled etagere brings charm to this office space.

Polly Wreford

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Books Galore

Sometimes more is more, and these fully stocked bookshelves are proof.

Vanessa Lentine

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Lush Greenery

Give your office space life — and a dose of style — by scattering succulents and plants on your shelves. It's an easy way to bring the outdoors in.

Keys to Inspiration

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Wooden Shelves

Wooden shelves not only add personality to a reading space — use them to store office essentials, too.

See more at Keys to Inspiration »

Tria Giovan

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Shelves with a View

You can't go wrong with the combination of an inviting window seat and sleek built-in bookshelves.

Dana Gallagher

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Playful Nature

Lean into the relaxed vibe of a kid's nook by sprucing up unfinished wood bookshelves with games and toys.

Lisa Romerein

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Art Over Shelf

For an unexpected look, display your favorite piece of artwork directly in front of your bookshelf. What's more, it's easy enough to change from season to season or whenever you're in the mood for a fresh feel.

Mike Garten

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Sophisticated Flair

Elevate shelves with an attractive assortment of brass objets, framed artwork, ceramics and more.

Monica Buck

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Rustic Design Scheme

Add contrast to a bedroom's rustic elements with simple white shelving styled with minimal accessories.

The Best Room Ideas for VSCO Girls

Monique Valeris Senior Home Editor Monique Valeris is the senior home editor for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital.

15 great bookcase and bookcase ideas

Enjoy your favorite book by the fireplace

The modern home is more than a kitchen, bedroom and living room. Of course, these rooms are the centerpiece of any living space, but there are many other things you want to see in your home.

Someone cannot live without sports and dreams of equipping a gym at home; others like video games so much that they are ready to make room for a game room; some people dream all their lives about a home theater or a discotheque. In general, how many people, so many desires. But if your passion is books, you can go in a completely different direction.

Of course, it would be great to have your own library, but if you are limited in space and resources, the best option is to equip a cozy reading nest right in your living room. Especially for the book lovers of our site, we present 15 amazing design ideas for your own mini-library or reading area.

A great combination of classic room style and glass-fronted bookcases

Here's a great way to add bookshelves without breaking the overall design of your home. These stylish bookcases in white surroundings, despite their simplicity, will add a touch of modernity to your living room.

Keep furniture and decor in neutral pastel colors to enhance the beauty of the room. The finishing touch will be a stone fireplace, which will make the picture of the design just perfect.

Bookcase zoning idea

You can divide your living room into 2 separate areas, one for sports and the other for culture. This design solution will organically fit into any modern or antique interior. So you can significantly save space without the difficulties associated with redevelopment.

Interesting bookcase with sliding panels

Use a combination of brick walls and an ultra-modern bookshelf model with frosted glass sliding panels. An eclectic combination of different textures and styles will make the interior extraordinarily daring and unique.

A beautiful blue bookcase will complement a neutral background

The living room is not the only place where you can equip a reading area. For lovers of reading a book, for lunch or an evening snack, it would be nice to get a bookcase right in the dining room. For convenience, you can add a couple of sofas with decorative pillows, and you can always comfortably combine your meal and reading your favorite novels.

Shelves with glass doors in the same style as the fireplace

By adding bookshelves on either side of the fireplace, you save a lot of space and add some symmetry to the interior. By making them a little lower, you will not only achieve visual balance, but also greatly facilitate the space.

Get creative with your bookshelf

You don't have to cover all modular shelving and shelves with glass doors, get creative. Under glass, you can arrange the most valuable editions and manuscripts for you, and frequently used books will always be at hand.

A great way to create a mini-library in a limited space

If you have at least a small corner, you can easily equip it into a reading area. A compact bookcase and a couple of cozy armchairs make this part of the room your favorite place to enjoy literature. The main thing is to keep everything in the same style, without violating the general idea of \u200b\u200bthe interior.

Hallway bookcase ideas

If you have a large home library and you couldn't find a suitable place for it in any of the rooms, arrange bookcases in the hallway. For decoration, you can use "X" motifs, which, in combination with glass doors, will give the shelves an exceptionally unique look.

A small bookcase in the kitchen is a great place to store cookbooks

In order not to run for your favorite recipes from room to room while cooking, equip a small bookcase right in the kitchen! Such a shelf will perfectly fit into the interior of any kitchen, and the glass cabinet doors are a great opportunity to demonstrate a set of cookbooks to others.

An elegant bookshelf that blends in seamlessly with the design

If you don't want to make a big statement on the bookshelves, try disguising them as part of the overall design of the room. If your living room is made in an elegant and classic style, the arched motifs in the design of the shelf will not violate the overall idea, but will only add more charm and chic to the interior.

Minimum space - maximum functionality

Are you puzzled over what to adapt an inaccessible corner to? Try using it as a place for a bookshelf. Such a solution will allow using even the smallest space with maximum benefit and functionality, and will avoid ownerless "holes" in the interior.

A simple and elegant option for the home office

The home office for work is not only an ideal way to set up a business from the comfort of home, but also a great place to design bookshelves and shelves. You can fill the entire wall with cabinets with or without glass doors, depending on your convenience and preferences.

Thus, you can keep your office in order and save your desktop from huge piles of books, paper and other waste paper.

A great way to decorate glass bookshelf doors

If simple glass doors are too boring for you, try getting creative with them. Get rid of unnecessary doors, and focus on the central section. If your interior has elements of the Gothic style, a wrought iron pattern will be a great addition to such a design.

Large closet for living room

Instead of leaving the space next to the fireplace empty and lifeless, set up a personal library there. Compact bookshelves and racks, made in the same color scheme as the fireplace, will be a great addition to the interior, making it more "live" and cozy.

60+ photos, modern design ideas

Types of bookshelves

Main types of designs.

Wall-mounted

Most common, equipped with wall brackets. Mounted models can be a simple or multi-tiered structure with a different geometric shape. To create an original accent in the room, hanging shelves on ropes will help.

The photo shows hanging bookshelves near the window in the interior of the children's room.

Floor-standing

Similar products in the form of a combination of a cabinet with open shelves for books are characterized by good stability and, if necessary, can be moved to the right place in the room. These furniture elements often have a classic rectangular or corner design.

Pictured is a guest room decorated with floor-standing bookshelves.

Tabletop

These models can be conveniently placed on a table or chest of drawers and serve as storage space for books of various sizes.

Shelving

Such through structures do not clutter up the room and do not steal space, which is especially important in small apartments. Shelving provides convenient storage of the necessary literature and creates a very comfortable and cozy atmosphere in the room. In addition, these shelves can be filled not only with books, but also with various decorative elements, in the form of figurines, souvenirs, dishes, photographs, flowers and other trinkets that complement the decor.

Pictured is a living room interior with a three-tier white bookshelf.

Shelf-rack

Basically, the shelf-rack is a rotating model or a horizontal rectangular structure on legs, special wheels or casters. Such products are quite mobile and are most often performed in an open version.

Material

Types of materials used in the production of bookshelves:

Wooden. Models made of natural wood or boards are a classic solution that always has a very beautiful and authentic look. Wood perfectly combines with glass or metal and is suitable for making carved shelves or racks in any configuration
Metal. Iron models are distinguished by high strength qualities and durability. Sometimes metal is used only to create a frame to which shelves from any other materials are attached.
Plastic. Quite a popular option, which is distinguished by neat execution, particular lightness and inexpensive cost.
LDSP / chipboard. Such shelves have excellent performance, have a wide variety of colors and shapes, and are also characterized by a very affordable price.
Drywall. Drywall shelving and shelves organically fit into a variety of interior spaces, are strong enough and provide the possibility of lighting equipment.

Pictured are wooden bookshelves in the interior of the living room.

Shapes and sizes

With bookshelves that reach the ceiling, an entire home library can be placed. Such a multi-level rack is considered more relevant for bright and spacious rooms. A special softening of the geometry of space and the environment can be achieved with the help of round and semicircular models, which have graceful sinuous lines and smooth shapes.

Quite a stylish and at the same time practical interior solution is herringbone products, which consist of several separate modules, shaped structures with honeycombs or diagonal rhombuses.

The photo shows the interior of the study, decorated with a corner bookcase.

The most current and fashionable option are vertical and horizontal shelves or racks. They are very reliable, static and can have any design that blends harmoniously with the overall style of the entire room. In the case of a small room, narrow shelves are perfect, which do not attract too much attention and are a secondary piece of furniture.

Pictured is a modern living room with ceiling-height bookshelves.

Bookshelf colors

Designs in dark wenge shade are a classic solution. They look very expensive and endow the space with a certain luxury.

The photo shows white bookshelves located under the stairs in the interior of the hall.

For a more sober design, black, white, gray bookshelves or black and white models are preferred, which combine two contrasting colors at the same time, filling the environment with a modern spirit.

The photo shows the interior of the living room with hanging two-tier bookshelves in turquoise.

Location

For more rational use of free space in the room, book structures are installed in the corner. Such products can be wall-mounted, placed on the floor or have several sections. Window openings framed by books have a particularly original look. An elegant wooden or plastic model by the window will help create a new interior image and add some zest to the room.

Pictured are illuminated oblique bookshelves located by the attic window in a private house.

To spice up the atmosphere, you can arrange book shelves above the fireplace, place them on both sides of the hearth or TV. To create a stylish design and comfortable reading before going to bed, products above the bed in combination with wall sconces will contribute. Achieving significant space savings is easily achieved through a structure installed around the doorway, which involves the storage of a large number of publications.

Photos of shelves in the interior of rooms

Photo examples of decoration in the design of various rooms.

To the children's room

This piece of furniture is an almost indispensable element in the interior of a schoolchild's room. Shelves with books placed on them provide a neat look to the room, greatly simplify the learning process and allow the child to be accustomed to neatness. For the nursery, they choose the most convenient and at the same time original models, for example, it can be a round rotating rack, shelves in the form of wood, snakes, letters and much more.

The photo shows the interior of a boy's nursery with letter-shaped bookshelves above the table.

The best placement option is a place next to the bed, which provides comfortable reading before going to bed. According to the color scheme in the child's room, both bright products in blue, red and green tones, as well as models in more muted blue, peach or pink shades are appropriate. For a girl, shelves are chosen in the form of houses, a cloud, a flower or various animals. More thoughtful transformer models or interesting options are suitable for a teenager, which can be in the form of a ladder, globe, hemisphere, spiral, zigzag or triangular design.

In the hall

In the living room at the expense of the home library, it turns out to achieve a truly aesthetic design. The place next to the shelves can be turned into a cozy reading nook by decorating it with a soft sofa or a comfortable armchair in combination with a floor lamp.

The photo shows a low floor bookcase in the interior of the living room.

On the balcony

A loggia or balcony area is often equipped with floor systems, hinged corner or straight models. In order to protect books from dust, moisture and UV exposure, closed shelves are also used.

In the bedroom

If there is a niche in the bedroom, it can be supplemented with bookshelves, which can differ in the most diverse form or be complemented by lighting. In this room, such products are often placed near the window, door or above the bed.

In the corridor

It is quite possible to place a home library in a rather long corridor. Such structures are mainly installed away from the front door, equipped with shallow shelves and open facades, showing neatly and orderly arranged literature.

In an office

Shelving up to the ceiling is most often selected for an office and sometimes they are provided with a retractable stepladder, thereby creating a single compositional design that adds special impressiveness and solidity to the interior.

Design ideas

Quite an original and at the same time practical solution is a rack with glass doors. This design with hinged or sliding doors is perfect for storing valuables that need to be protected from dust, moisture and sunlight. Sometimes a transparent glass facade is decorated with a barely noticeable tint.

The photo shows the design of a bookcase with glass doors in the office interior.

Wrought-iron bookcases are particularly functional and highly decorative, which, despite their elegant appearance, are very durable. Antique products have a truly unique look and unusual design, undoubtedly becoming an original element of the entire interior.

Original shelf selection

Such unique designs are considered an independent interior decoration. For example, an original design solution is an armchair combined with book shelves, which saves space or various products of a non-standard shape, resembling a spiral, a wheel, a world map, and so on. Soaring models that have a hidden mount look especially unusual.

The photo shows the interior with original wooden bookshelves.

The tree-shaped structure with outstretched branches looks no less original and provides an interesting arrangement of books. Shelves or racks can also be made in the form of letters of different colors, such a design would be especially appropriate for a child's room.

Photo of bookcases

Shelves allow to emphasize the design of the surrounding space and form a practical interior. They are particularly light and mobile, which makes it possible to change their location at any time.

Pictured is a corner wood bookcase in a spacious living room.

Thanks to the narrow shelving, which have a rather sophisticated and elegant appearance, it turns out to make the most efficient use of the free space of the room. In addition, with the help of a two-sided design, you can achieve competent zoning of space.

Examples for different styles

For rooms made in the classical direction, natural wood shelves are especially appropriate, which can be decorated with beautiful openwork carvings. In the Provence style, simplified narrower designs of white, milky, beige, pale brown or pink are most often found, with a vintage finish and an old look.

The photo shows a living room interior in a modern style with geometric bookshelves located above the fireplace.

The style of the loft suggests bookshelves with casual design, placed, for example, in an asymmetrical or checkerboard pattern. More massive racks made of dark-colored materials fit perfectly here.

Scandinavian design, characterized by simple, open rectangular or square models, made in predominantly white or cool colors.

In high-tech style, shelves with a glossy surface look very fashionable and weightless, and for minimalism they prefer matte designs.