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Design shelves for living room


16 beautiful ways to display books and trinkets |

(Image credit: Mary Wadsworth / Kitesgrove / Albion Nord)

Living room shelving is a great way to add extra storage space to the main room, as well as wow factor. 

The right freestanding shelving unit can transform a whole living room. It’s a place to store your collections as well as display your treasures. Whether you want a striking statement unit that will provide a focal point or a more discreet design that will blend in effortlessly, there’s a model out there to suit your space and style. 

Below we explore our favorite living room shelving – perfect for adding impact and intrigue to living room ideas and blank walls.

16 living room shelving ideas – maximize space and add interest to a blank wall

'When it comes to designing a living room, efficient storage ideas are one of the most important factors to consider, in order to keep your living room organized and a place in which to relax and spend time with loved ones,' says Emma Deterding, founder and creative director, Kelling Designs.  

'Built-in joinery in the form of shelving is ideal for making the best use of oddly shaped rooms, alcoves and recesses as not only does it use the space to its best potential, but it also gives you ample storage for everyday items, as well as decorative elements too.' 

From alcove shelf ideas to bookshelf ideas, we’ve put together some stunning living room shelving ideas, and asked the experts for their advice on decorating shelves that are perfect for your here and now. 

1. Pick the best materials – and color scheme

(Image credit: Future)

The materials and living room color scheme you opt to use for an open shelving unit can really make a difference to the overall scheme. Consider combining pale and dark timbers, or a using a timber and painted finish combination, or even incorporating other materials such as wallpaper or fabric, which can make interesting back panels. 

2. Light your living room shelving

(Image credit: Future / Matthew Williams)

Good living room lighting ideas are also key to the success of living room shelving. The advent of LED options has opened up new possibilities for discreet and subtle effects – especially as the fittings themselves are small and no longer run the risk of getting hot. A beautifully lit display shelf will add drama and scale.

3. Go for an open shelving display

(Image credit: Richard Powers / Future)

Open shelving can create a real statement in a neutral living room and is both practical and visually pleasing. It is also a more economical option than a fully enclosed storage unit. It is particularly suited to small recesses in areas such as either side of a chimney-breast, helping to visually correct uneven proportions. 

Kitchens and bathrooms are also areas of the house where open shelving can create an appealing display. Don't be afraid to be bold, mixing fun, witty pieces with functional items that are used every day.

(Image credit: Davide Lovatti / Future)

Try mixing large statement pieces with smaller items grouped together. When grouping, consider the shape that the objects create collectively and play with color and form to keep things interesting. Glass lidded pots will look more enticing if filled with colorful props, whether they be functional or decorative.

5. Consider size and appearance

(Image credit: Simon Bevan / Future)

Think carefully about the thickness you want each shelf in your living room to be. If you’re using wood, it pays to choose a chunky option, giving a strong, clean, confident appearance. Think too about whether you’d like shelves with adjustable heights to allow for flexibility.

6. Go for an entirely bespoke option

(Image credit: James Merrell / Future)

'Commissioning your living room shelving or built-in cabinet ideas for family rooms from a furniture maker will make the very best use of a space,' says Richard Williams, Richard Williams Furniture . 

'A joiner will work around awkward shapes in walls and conceal service pipes or wall boxing. Large pieces will be fixed and scribed to the shape of the wall and skirting, which gives a very neat finish. If shelves are to be adjustable, look for neat and unobtrusive methods of adjustability such as 5mm shelf pegs with a limited number of peg holes for each shelf.’ 

7. Use living room shelving to create 'zones' 

(Image credit: James Merrell / Future)

Adequate living room storage is essential in an open plan living room as streamlined spaciousness is key to the look. Sleek, wall-hung shelves that appear to ‘float’ are the smart, modern option and you can also use furniture to divide the space into zones. 

Proportion and balance are important considerations – you want to avoid feeling hemmed in by wall-to-wall shelving units.

8. Invest in shelving for books

(Image credit: Davide Lovatti / Future)

Notebooks and Kindles may be de rigueur for modern living rooms but most still hold a sizeable collection of good old fashioned books too.  

Alcove shelving will successfully house your tomes in a small living room where narrow shelves along one wall – just a book-width deep – will not hamper space. Alternatively, look at arranging such shelves around a doorway for added intrigue.

9. Curate a display that dazzles

(Image credit: James Merrell / Future)

Floor-to-ceiling shelving makes an arresting focal point, particularly on a blank living room accent wall. It can be used to enhance the sense of height in the room and create the illusion of space. Painting cabinetry a bold shade can have a dramatic effect, whilst white or off-black are effective backdrops for display. 

Create a focal point by ordering items for impact: color-code novels; showcase oversized books and vinyl records front-on to draw the eye; and cluster collections of similar items – ceramics, glassware or trinkets – for a carefully curated look.

10. Consider freestanding shelving 

(Image credit: Paul Raeside / Future)

Create instant shelving with lean-to or freestanding shelving units, perfect for adding storage to a free wall space in your living room. A design more suited to contemporary homes – with an easy living feel to them – it’s an ideal solution for those who like to change the layout and décor of their room frequently – and it’s easy to take with you should you move home.

11. Create a focal point behind a sofa

(Image credit: Future / Polly Wreford)

The wall space behind the sofa is a natural place to display a large artwork in a living room – but rather than hang a traditional painting, why not decorate shelves with shapely vessels for a beautiful, alternative focal point? For best results be sure to choose a mix of heights, sculptural shapes and surface textures.

When it comes to styling a shelf, 'it is important to consider the spaces you leave empty just as much as the spaces you fill,' explains Simon Temprell, interior design manager at Neptune . 'Try to avoid lots of small objects and instead concentrate on more considered items that have presence and form.'

12. Mix closed storage with open storage

(Image credit: Albion Nord)

When planning living room shelving made-to-measure, bespoke joinery is often the best way to make the most of your space, plus consider a mix of closed and open shelving as this will help balance practical storage with space for decorative displays.  

‘It’s important to make a space feel relaxed and not sterile or unliveable. Try to create storage for the pieces that don’t need to be on show but make sure to celebrate and show off the things that bring you joy,’ says Camilla Clarke, creative director at Albion Nord . ‘We like to mix high level open shelving with concealed storage. Open shelving to display books, art, photos and concealed storage to hide things that don’t need to be on show.’

If you have a large expanse of shelving hanging a graphic artwork is a great way to conceal eyesores like cables whilst also creating a visual break. 

13. Decorate shelving with plants

(Image credit: Future / Mary Wadsworth)

Ask any interior designer or stylist for their tips for styling shelves and plants would be near the top of the list. Not only do they bring numerous benefits for health and wellbeing, plants and greenery brings interiors to life and can look beautifully decorative too.

'Plants will bring an element of softness and freshness to any shelf, especially those that trail,' says Simon Temprell.  'Succulents have architectural style and demand very little attention, so they can be useful for filling the gaps where objects feel a little too rigid.' 

Of course when it comes to choosing house plants for shelves it all depends on their specific light needs, but adding them to a living room partition, even if it's just faux plants, can be a really handy tool for helping to soften harsh angles and bring color and interest while keeping the space feeling open and airy.

14. Choose floating shelves

(Image credit: Kitesgrove)

If you're looking to create a minimalist living room or have a small living room then consider floating shelves. 

Fixed to the wall with hidden brackets, floating shelves are perfect for creating an airy, streamlined look as demonstrated in this space by Kitesgrove , and will help create the illusion of space.

15. Opt for a display cabinet with shelves

(Image credit: Future/Jon Day)

Fixed shelves can limit living room layout options, so if you're looking for a more flexible storage solution consider a glazed cabinet, not only are they easy to reposition, they help protect collectibles and prevent the need for constant dusting, too.

'A glass fronted cabinet is far more versatile than built-in storage – it can be easily moved between rooms and taken with you if you move home,' says Dani Taylor, product and creative director at Cox & Cox. 'A combination of glass fronts and solid doors is often most desirable, so you can really get the most of it.'

If you're using your cabinet to display china, consider a using vibrant paint idea on the interior to make the pieces really pop.

16. Add alcove shelving

(Image credit: Mary Wadsworth)

Fitting floating shelves into alcoves is a brilliant way to create additional storage or display space without encroaching on valuable floor space, plus, it can be a lovely way to highlight an architectural feature within a room. 

Alternatively, recessed shelving can be fitted retrospectively into a room. While this will reduce the overall footprint, the result will be a streamlined space which feels airy and spacious.

Made from solid timber, these alcove shelves help bring texture and warmth to this white living room design by Kitesgrove, as do the metallic wall lights and marbled fireplace.

Where should shelving be placed in the living room?

If you are planning open shelving, work to the full proportions of the living room to create maximum impact. A floor-to-ceiling unit, with sturdy, adjustable shelves and minimal fixtures will offer a strong, enticing look and act as an excellent anchor and display. 

In smaller rooms, including living areas, shelving can be an effective way of creating storage without appearing to eat too much space. Consider the look you are opting for, whether traditional, featuring detailed joinery, or sleek and unfussy with a contemporary edge. And think carefully about what you are displaying – this will ensure each shelf is made to allow sufficient depth and to carry weight without warping.

How do I organize my living room shelves?

'Keeping your living room shelves organized is vital,' says Anne Haimes, Anne Haimes Interiors . 'Items placed in groups or in lines of threes, fours or fives will prevent the shelves looking untidy. When choosing the overall look, decide if you want the shelves to be made in a material which is a statement in itself, or if you want them to have a less prominent role, allowing your display to do all the talking.’

‘More and more, we’re seeing shelving used as a feature in a room,’ says Ian Weddell, USM Modular Furniture . ‘In loft apartments, it can be used as a room divider idea to 'zone' a large space; and shelving can be used to display not only books, but also vases of flowers, sculptures or artwork.’

Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.

12 Clever Ideas for Living Room Shelving

Looking for some inspiration for your living room shelves? These ideas will help you design the perfect storage to fit into your space, whatever its shape or size.

Sigmar

1. Keep everything behind closed doors. If you want to hide all your items away, consider adding some doors to your shelving. This nifty storage unit has room for all sorts of stuff, including media items. Everything is arranged neatly, so it looks good while open, but for a more streamlined look, the doors can be closed.

Sigmar

This simple, smart design leaves space for the television and media equipment to remain on show.

Granit Architects + Interiors

2. Reverse the idea of chimney alcoves. This clever design has turned the idea of alcove shelving on its head. A wood stove sits on a sleek, gray platform and is flanked by two shelving units either side. The fire sits in the alcove, while the shelves are protruding. It’s a great way to add character to an otherwise flat wall.

Blakes London

3. Frame a window. Another way to bring in the look of alcove shelving is to use a window as your central element instead of a fireplace. Here, the wall spaces either side of the sash window have been turned into attractive storage features.

Turner Pocock

4. Make the most of recessed shelving. Shelving that’s been cut into the wall is a lovely, neat solution that doesn’t intrude on a room. You can allow the recessed shelves to blend into the wall, or you can make a feature of them.

These shelves have been designed to form an unusual shape and painted in a contrasting color to the purple wall so they stand out. The result is both practical and striking.

Moon DESIGN

5. Combine hidden storage with open shelves. Built-in cabinets and drawers are a practical way to provide lots of storage. However, an entire wall of cabinetry can look overpowering. Break it up a little by including some open shelves in the center. These shelves provide an interesting twist to the expanse of units and turn the storage solution into a unique design statement.

Dulux Amazing Space

6. Look to the floor. Maximize any unused space at ground level by tucking in some storage that can be pulled out. Here, a wide wooden container looks beautiful in the recess and provides plenty of storage space. Make the container easy to move by adding some wheels to the bottom.

Sigmar

7. Go up and over the door. Think you’ve run out of wall space? You could always use the area above the door. The shelves here go all the way up to the ceiling and over the door frame. Not only does it provide a vast amount of storage, it also makes a feature of the door. Don’t forget, though, that you’ll need a library ladder to access the top shelves.

8. Style up your staircase. If your stairs are in the living room, it makes sense to turn them into a feature. Here, the banister has been replaced by a floor-to-ceiling shelving unit that provides ample storage and looks fantastic.

Ignas Jermosenka Photography

9. Go modular. For shelving that’s flexible, opt for a modular system. This wall is covered by a flexible design that allows shelves to be added or adjusted whenever the need arises. The modern design looks sleek and stylish and adds an industrial edge to the period property.

Chris Snook

10. Maximize space with a ladder shelf. If you want to add some attractive free-standing storage, you can’t beat a ladder shelf. The design is simple and elegant, and the angled shape makes it unobtrusive. A pair of ladder shelves have been tucked into a corner of this living room, providing a useful storage feature that doesn’t block the light from the window.

Ella Doran

11. Pop a shelf in your seating. Make the most of the space below a seat by adding a shelf. This cozy room features a custom-built bench, with a comfortable cushion along the top and a handy shelf below.

Harrod Rectangle Steel Log Holder FIR-030

12. Turn log storage into a feature. If you’re lucky enough to have a wood stove in your living room, you’ll need storage for your logs. Firewood looks lovely when it’s stacked, so it makes sense to turn it into a feature. This industrial-style steel shelf has been hung on the wall, transforming the logs into a work of art.

More: Your Total Home Organizing and Decluttering Guide

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Shelves in the living room - 85 photos of ideas on how to choose and decorate in the interior

A shelf in the living room is a familiar attribute, practical, convenient, sometimes indispensable.

These shelves often store a home library, some little things, accessories and decorative items. Shelves make a big difference in the look of a room.

Content of the article:

Varieties of racks and shelves

There are so many types of shelves that sometimes it is not easy to make a choice.

By design, shelves are often used to store small items, but this is a bit wrong, because the shelf, oddly enough, transforms the space.

The shelf can be made by hand, with built-in seats, from a designer, with a mirror, open type, like a partition, floating.

There are actually a lot of varieties. There are also modular shelves, there are transformer shelves, hanging shelves in the living room - it's all on sale!

Of course, book attributes are the most sought after, and they are chosen according to personal preferences.

Corner shelf

For the living room, the so-called transformer shelf is often purchased, which changes its size and shape. Its disadvantage is that it can withstand a small weight, but despite this, it is often attached to the wall.

Another popular variety is shelving, which will perfectly complement any design, especially if the room is in a high-tech country style. Places are occupied by such a rack is minimal.

Construction types:

Modular shelves

It is most appropriate to use glass-covered shelves in the living room. Such shelves in the modern living room allow you to store some luxurious items.

Interestingly, the glass does not catch the eye at all, and therefore this option is applicable in small rooms, for example, in a living room in Khrushchev.

At the window, open attributes are used, because they can miraculously be combined with a coffee table. Hanging shelves - saving space.

In a classic interior, it is acceptable to use objects made of wood of the correct form, which are decorated with carvings and forging.

In country style, it is reasonable to use untreated, aged items. In high-tech style, glass shelves or metal shelves are used. Their shape is often wrong.

How to decorate a shelf with your own hands?

The apartment is most often decorated with their own hands, and the shelves are no exception. To get the job done, you need to buy a regular shelf, no frills. Most often it is a piece of wood, plastic.

Decor is made using materials such as leather, natural wood additions, forging, dyeing.

It is not difficult at all to complete the design of a unique shelf, the main thing is to think over a work plan. It is best to make basic outlines on paper, and then draw up the product.

There are many options for how to arrange a shelf, and there are a lot of ideas on the Internet that are worth reading. There are so many ideas that it is not difficult at all to create beautiful decorative TV shelves in the living room without designers.

Selection tips

The furniture matches the style of the room, and matches the style, color, material. It is best that one of the elements is selected for the type of furniture.

When choosing, it is important to understand that the shelf must be stable, durable, reliable, and hold the normal weight of items.

Shelves in the interior of the living room are the main attribute, because they are used both as storage for small things and as decor. The shelf does not take up much space, but at the same time it is an addition to the interior.

If you have to choose a shelf, then you should make a choice according to the further purpose.

Of course, the appearance of the shelf is of no small importance, and therefore you can look through the photos of the shelves in the living room, see what varieties there are, maybe you will like something and it will become easier to make a choice.

Photo of the Ideas for the Regulations in the living room

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Modern shelves in the living room interior

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A shelf is one of the simplest inventions that allows you to compactly arrange things and objects in a certain order. Today, they are used in the interior of many rooms, where they act not only as a functional item, but are often an important element of decor. This article presents photos of shelves in the interior of living rooms and discusses the main examples of their use.

Shelves fit many design trends and are therefore found in most modern living rooms. This is a versatile item that complements the decor of the room well, and in some cases decorates it. For example, in spacious living rooms, shelves of small sizes are often used, which become the highlight of the room, connecting various elements of the interior. Especially if the room has a square or oblong shape.

Modern regiments in the interior of the living room

Content

  1. Book Shelves
  2. Shelves above furniture
  3. Shelves between the slopes of the window
  4. Shelves in wall niches
  5. Shelves for flowers
  6. Office
  9. Conclusion

Bookshelves

The classic bookshelf option is used in many contemporary guest rooms. In most houses, books are stored either in Soviet walls or in ordinary bookcases. Today, however, designers recommend placing books on hanging shelves, which can be metal or wood. Sometimes combined shelves are used, consisting of both materials. To give the interior a zest, designers develop unusual shapes for bookshelves. For example, they can be located at an angle or in the form of several crosses.

Wooden Book Shelves in the interior of the living room

Metal regiments for a minimalist interior

Distributary cells for books in the interior of the living room

Rabbage for

Forms of wall shells are different, we consider the most common of them :

The appearance of the shelves should be based on the design direction that is used when decorating the room.

Shelves above furniture

Modern living rooms focus on maximum space, but too much space can be detrimental. The weakest point is the bare wall above the sofa and armchairs, on which paintings or family photographs are usually hung. This solution is not always able to effectively solve the problem of empty space, and it will not work at all for some design areas. Instead of an art gallery, experts recommend hanging a couple of narrow shelves above the sofa, and put a few family photos on them.

Tip! The interior will be very original if you arrange the shelves in a checkerboard pattern, and in order for such a composition not to look massive, you should choose short and narrow shelves, while their length should be up to 1 m, and the width should not exceed 15 cm.

For rooms that are decorated under art deco and pop art, shelves equipped with hanging elements are often used. Usually they are placed above sofas, armchairs and other pieces of furniture. A long and massive shelf is hung under the very ceiling, from which multi-level whatnots extend down. So that objects do not overload the interior, but organically complement it, experts recommend using shelves only in light colors.

Shelves between window slopes

Window shelves are a rather unusual option for decorating a living room. This solution is perfect for those people who like to decorate the room with numerous flowers. It is not necessary to block the entire opening with window shelves, depriving the room of sunlight. You can use compact options in which the flowers are located on special shelves that occupy only part of the window opening. Violets, cyclamens and other small flowers will look great on such shelves.

Shelves in wall niches

If your living room has wall niches that are difficult to use for any needs, you can build small shelves into them. They will help to hide the shortcomings of this architectural element, making it the highlight of the entire room.

The length and width of the shelves should be selected depending on the parameters of the wall niche. Stylistically, the material must fully comply with the surrounding interior. Consider the main recommendations of designers for embedding shelves in wall niches:

Flower Shelves

Many housewives love to grow flowers, and some are really passionate about the process. As a result, there may not be enough space on the windowsills, so it is worth equipping hanging shelves to accommodate flower pots. The advantage of this solution is that the plants will not interfere with the penetration of daylight into the room. If there are any defects on the wall, flower pots will help to carefully hide any flaw.

Tip! If desired and if you have free time, you can make such shelves yourself.

For large flowers it is recommended to use heavy weight metal shelves. It is good to place small flowers on miniature shelves, which are decorated with decorative openwork elements.

In addition to living plants, artificial flowers look great on open shelves. Climbing plants decorate the interior well. Their branches can be gracefully spread along the wall or ceiling, making a corner of the living room look like a small garden. The photo of the shelves in the interior of the living room shows the most striking design options that many designers are guided by.

Unusual shelf shapes

Today, interior specialists are developing many extravagant solutions for the design of the living room, including shelves. Designers offer the most unusual forms.

For example, shelves with a 45-degree inclination, which are held on special racks, look very original. In functional terms, this slope is useless, but as a decorative element it looks quite creative. There are also whole furniture compositions from shelves designed in the form of geographical maps or avant-garde figures.

Shelves in interior styles

Designers love to use shelving compositions to divide a room into functional areas. Each style has a specific shelving system. Let's look at the main examples.

Conclusion

In the interior of most modern living rooms, shelves play one of the main roles. They store objects, with their help divide the space and provide a single style of the room. With the right design, they are able to qualitatively transform the atmosphere of the room. It does not matter at all whether the shelves are part of the furniture or act as a separate composition. They will always shape the look of the room along with the rest of the items. That is why designers pay close attention to them in their work.

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