Home » Misc » Wall shelf living room ideas

Wall shelf living room ideas


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.

Living room shelving ideas – 10 creative ways to store and organise

Living room shelving ideas are a brilliant way of working more storage into a key space where it’s often lacking. Living rooms are where we want to wind down and relax, but it can be hard to switch off if we’re faced with crammed shelves and cluttered surfaces. Instead turn your wall shelves into a creative living room wall decor idea.

Off-the-peg shelving is an easy and often inexpensive option that can be worked into a living room scheme without too much upheaval. From sleek floating shelves or simple wooden shelves on brackets, fixing up a row of shelves shouldn’t be beyond the skills of most competent DIYers.

Freestanding shelving units are another option that offer extra storage space for bulkier items such as TVs and media equipment and can often be slotted into alcoves or work as a standalone piece.

Living room shelving ideas

As an alternative to off-the-peg shelving and freestanding pieces, made-to-measure living room wall shelves and fitted furniture offers a bespoke solution tailored to more specific needs or size of room requirements.

‘The demand for custom built and fitted furniture is on the rise and mirrors the shift in priority towards making our homes work as hard as they can for our changing needs' says Rachal Hutcheson at Sharps .

‘As well as providing storage for books and decorative accessories, fitted living room furniture can help to house TV and audio equipment; efficiently hiding unsightly cables and mounts. While integrated lighting solutions can be discreetly fitted under shelves or into cupboards, creating mood lighting for cosy spaces and task lighting for working areas.’

1. Choose bespoke built-ins in a complementary colour

(Image credit: Future PLC/David Brittain)

Finding off-the-peg living room storage to fit a specific space can be tricky if you have an awkwardly-shaped living room. Opting for made-to-measure shelving allows you to design a piece of furniture that’s the perfect fit and is tailored to your specific requirements.

Fill a narrow spot in a small living room with a neat run of cubbyhole shelving. Painting it to match the wall colour will help it blend in and make the space feel bigger. Style up shelves with pieces in punchy colours to match your decor and arrange the height of shelves so they are slightly taller than the height of the tallest item you’ll be storing on them.

‘If you want your furniture to be a specific size, style, finish or fit, you'll want to buy bespoke,’ say the design team at Jali . ‘ Bespoke or made-to-measure furniture is made for you, rather than being mass produced and will add more character to your living space.’

2. Keep wall shelves in order with easy-grab baskets

(Image credit: Neptune)

A line-up of open shelves makes a great easy-access option for a family living room, with plenty of space to stash books, toys and games. Arrange so that little ones can reach their things easily, with children’s belongings on lower shelves and grown-ups’ things higher up.

Combine tall and short shelving to fill wall space and leave an open area for display. And keep open shelves neat and orderly by adding a few woven storage baskets or fabric tubs where you can stash smaller odds and ends and keep clutter hidden out of sight.

‘If shelves are so full that it puts you off giving them a regular dust, then you might have gone overboard with the knick knacks,’ says professional organiser, Vicky Silverthorn at Youneedavicky . ‘It’s easy to get carried away buying more things, but too much clutter looks untidy and the less you have out, the easier it is to keep clean.’

3. Create a living room display wall

(Image credit: Future PLC/Tim Young)

Easy-up floating shelves are an inexpensive but stylish option for living room shelving ideas. Create a whole wall of storage with a stack of longline floating shelves running the entire width of one wall.

Start by positioning your first shelf at roughly tabletop height. It can be used for display, but also double up as a resting surface for a lamp or cup of tea when positioned next to a sofa or armchair.

Keep open shelves orderly by including a couple of lidded boxes and baskets amongst your display items. Use these to corral small-scale clutter so that surfaces don’t look messy or become a magnet for dust.

4. Integrate a TV into your living room wall decor

(Image credit: Sharps)

TV storage is a must in most living rooms, but can be tricky to get right. Modern flat-screen TVs tend to be fairly large and can dominate a room if you’re not careful.

Try incorporating the TV into your scheme by creating a whole wall of living room shelving and media storage combined. Set against a dark backdrop, the TV blends into the decor and isn’t so dominant and overpowering. A mix of open and closed shelving gives space for display plus somewhere to hide the less-than-lovely stuff.

‘If you’ve invested a significant sum of money sourcing the best TV for your budget, then the most prudent way to get the most from it is by taking the same care and attention in housing it,’ says Rachal Hutcheson, National Retail Manager at Sharps. ‘Made-to-measure furniture ensures you make best use of available space and tailor it to your unique requirements.’

5. Squeeze shelving into an alcove

(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Whitmore)

Alcoves either side of a chimney breast are a prime spot for introducing some extra living room shelving. If the alcoves are a standard size, such as 80cm or 100cm in width, then off-the-peg floating shelves are an inexpensive option either in white or a natural wood finish.

Non-standard sized alcoves will require built-in shelving rather than shop-bought. DIY shelves are a fairly simple project for a competent DIYer, or for bespoke shelving, consider using a carpenter or fitted furniture company.

Choose chunky shelves in a natural wood finish for a rustic country-inspired look or opt for classic white shelves that will complement most room styles. For a bespoke look, consider painting shelves to match wall colour in a bold tone or soft neutral - it will make shelves look as if they have always been there.

6. Make space for a line of books

(Image credit: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore)

If you own lots of books but are running out of space to store them, why not utilise wasted wall space above a living room sofa? A great option for high-ceilinged rooms, try running a full-width shelf on one, or all of the walls.

Position shelving at a low-enough height so that you can reach books easily, but high enough above a sofa so that you won’t hit your head when getting up. Use low-tack painters tape to mock-up the height of your shelf so that you can test it before putting it up.

7. Go pink to make shelves pop

(Image credit: Future PLC/Mel Yates)

Make bespoke built-ins the focal point of your living room with a bold colour block treatment. White shelves will stand out against a bright background and it’ll also draw attention to the items on display and make them pop too.

Use the same colour all over to give a bold contrast backdrop or use varying tones of the same colour to create an ombre effect. Match your background colour to living room furniture and soft furnishings for a chic, colour co-ordinated effect.

8. Slot narrow shelves into a gap

(Image credit: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore)

Make use of narrow alcoves or wasted space in-between cabinets by building in a set of slimline shelves – a great solution for decorating the wall behind the sofa. A depth of between 15-20cm is wide enough to hold narrow books and can be used as a display area for ceramics, pictures and favourite things.

Paint shelves to match wall colour to create an integrated look and pick display items in toning colours to complement living room decor. Arrange shelves by starting with books and larger items first. Then add artwork towards the backs of shelves, layering in smaller decorative items at the front.

9. Upgrade flat-pack shelving

(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Whitmore)

Sturdy cube shelving is an inexpensive option that can house all manner of living room essentials. Give a standard Ikea piece a high-end look with a few luxe add-on items.

Adding a pair of inexpensive clip-on lights (one at each end) gives a bespoke look and will illuminate decorative items displayed on shelves. Bring order to open shelving by investing in coloured storage boxes, fabric baskets and smart box files that can be slotted in and used to hide away any non-decorative pieces.

10. Go dark with painted picture shelves

(Image credit: Future PLC/Dan Duchars)

Make use of an empty alcove by adding floor-to-ceiling shelving for storing favourite books, pictures or album covers.  Consider this a decorative alternative to a living room wallpaper idea. DIY shelves are an inexpensive option and adding a lip on the edge will prevent items slipping off when displayed front on.

Paint shelves to match walls in a dark, matt finish to give a polished, seamless look. It will make shelves blend in and look like part of the architecture and make the items on show stand out more against a dark backdrop.

What can you put on shelves in a living room?

On a practical level, shelves are most-often used for storing books and media kit (such as DVDs, CDs and games). A library of books will look eclectic and colourful and won’t need much arranging, unless you choose to arrange by colour, size or alphabetically. Media kit can look a little messy out on display, so it’s a good idea to store discs and games equipment in fabric-covered boxes if they are going to be out on open shelves.

Decoratively speaking, shelves can be styled up with all manner of items. Ceramics and glassware will add colour and pattern to shelves, alongside art work, pictures and family photographs. While plants and greenery are super-popular at the moment and are a great way of bringing life and colour to open shelves. The choice is yours.

How do you arrange shelves in a living room?

Always start with the larger items first, such as tall vases, baskets or art work. Arrange these towards the back of your shelves and then introduce smaller items, layering them in front of taller items and varying them in terms of shape, size and colours.

Books are a great way of bringing balance to shelf displays. Mix it up by positioning books vertically and then with a few stacks positioned horizontally here and there. Stacks are a great way of giving displays extra height, by placing smaller items on top of your stacks.

Lisa is a freelance journalist who has written about interiors for more than 25 years and has worked on all the major homes titles, primarily Ideal Home, but also including Homes & Gardens, Country Homes & Interiors, Style at Home, Livingetc, Woman & Home, Easy Gardens and Good Homes magazines. Homes and interiors have always been a passion and she never tires of nosying around gorgeous homes, whether on TV, online, in print or in person, as well as being a serial shopper/bargain hunter. 

photos of beautiful, modern wall shelves in the living room, varieties in shape and material

Ordinary wall mounted shelves are a powerful tool for creating interior design. But not everyone knows how to use them correctly. To avoid inconvenience when designing, it is better to use simple tips.

Table of contents of the article:

Types of wall shelves

Modern hanging wall shelves in the interior of the living room are presented in several forms. The type is responsible for filling, strength characteristics, installation location.

Shaped

Classic

The simplest living room shelves are a flat plank that is fixed perpendicular to the wall. But even she can diversify the design. It is enough to experiment with depth, shape, cutouts and other elements.

There are also enough ways to place them. For example, arrangement in a line, checkerboard pattern, wedge.

Their minus: not the highest strength. Many are trying to make it more beautiful, so a shelf with a hidden mount is used. And it, as a rule, is much less durable than the outer one.

Corner shelves

Wall corner shelves are much more functional than classic ones. They take up the same amount of space but provide more storage space.

Due to their corner position, they can withstand heavy loads and are essential in small living rooms.

Curly

Designer wall shelves can be of any shape. Their convenience is that you will have to choose not from the same type of planks, which just have a different color, but from a full album of unusual ideas.

There may be shelves from a chain, from a metal sheet twisted with a snake.

Hanging

Ordinary wall shelves, but with a difference - they are attached to the wall with ropes. They look quite nice, but have a significant disadvantage - instability.

However, they can tip over under heavy loads.

Based on materials from

Material is important in the interior of a living room. As a rule, they try not to hide the true color and texture, so decorative metal wall shelves will be relevant in the loft, but alien to minimalism. Therefore, the choice must be taken seriously.

Wood

Wooden shelves are a classic. They are made from any breed (which determines the price, texture, strength characteristics, pattern).

The main advantage of wood is accessibility. With simple carpentry tools, shelves can be made independently. You can also find rare breeds like ebony, American walnut or palm.

Wood-based panels

Popular substitutes for natural wood. Such shelves on the wall in the interior are quite acceptable, as they imitate a natural board well.

Common boards include:

  1. Chipboard. Chipboard. They are made from shavings and sawdust, glued together with formaldehyde resin. Sufficiently strong, but when the veneer or edges are peeled off, they begin to actively absorb moisture, become brittle and brittle.
  2. MDF. Made from fine fibre. Much stronger than chipboard, but also more expensive. They are also always glued with plastic veneer, which immediately catches the eye.
  3. Plywood. Cheap and durable material. Consists of a thin veneer glued cross-on-cross.
Metal

There are 2 types of metal shelves on the wall in the living room for sale:

  1. All metal. They usually consist of a thick metal wire and a metal sheet. Very beautiful and neat, but at the same time limited in the choice of style.
  2. Metal-wood. Especially relevant in the loft. Often, metal is needed as a frame, and the filling is made of wood.

Stainless steel is used for production. It is hygienic, does not corrode, does not oxidize items on the shelf.

Glass

Glass shelves are interesting. Transparent, neat shelves will be a good decoration for the living room in gentle colors. In this case, glass is used not ordinary, but tempered. It is much stronger, it is difficult to break it. But glass also has disadvantages, for example, soiled.

Part of it will have to be wiped with a cloth, as dust will settle on it and fingerprints will remain.

In addition, glass is quite expensive and requires a lot of investment. Even compared to natural wood and metal.

Plastic

Many people think that plastic always makes a soulless office out of a living space. But modern original wall shelves are made of special polymers that have a pleasant sheen and beautiful color. The advantages of plastic include:

  1. High strength. Plastic is not brittle, so do not be afraid to break or break it.
  2. Price. It is always cheaper compared to wood and metal.
  3. Variety. Now you can find shelves with a variety of shapes. Many author's models are made of their plastic, as it is easy to design.

Mirror

Mirror and glass shelves have the same drawbacks - soiled. The mirror is very beautiful and increases the amount of light in the room. Such surfaces visually increase the room, making it spacious. Therefore, in a small living room it is better to choose a mirror model.

Often decorated with decorative candles or light bulbs.

Shelves in interior styles

We should also consider the interior, as all furniture must match the style.

Classicism

Rich varieties of wood are welcome. Lower border: oak and ash. These are necessarily simple shelves, but with beautiful curly cutouts. Under no circumstances should paint be used. Only natural wood color.

If you need a shelf for books on the wall, it is better if it is massive. Massive fasteners are required, since the weight of the rack will be large.

Provence

Light wood shelves painted white. A floral ornament will not be superfluous. In tribute to the rustic style, the coloring should be uneven, with gaps.

Hi-tech

Futuristic shelves with metal, glass and mirror. Suitable cubic, angular, staggered. Of the colors, the most relevant are: white, gray (any tones), with a mirror finish. By the way, this is where you will find the most original open wall hanging shelves that are not found in other styles.

Minimalist

A simple and clean style that calls for the simplest shelves. Here, ordinary plywood, painted white, is suitable. Steel also looks good.

Shelves on the wall should be made of thin material so as not to stand out from the interior.

See photo examples below.

Other shelf options in the interior of the living room

95 design photos of stylish and functional storage places

Shelves are not only convenient and practical, but also aesthetic, because with the help of these simple structures and their content, you can completely transform the room space. Most often, hinged and corner shelves, racks and sections built into furniture are found in the living room, where they harmoniously and effectively fit into the overall design.

Contents of the article:

Design options

The time of standard places to store books and small knick-knacks is long gone, and now designers are introducing dozens of options for using shelves in the interior of the living room. Several groups can be distinguished:

The classic hanging shelves in the living room are a familiar product made of fastened boards or lattice panels.

For zoning the interior space in studio apartments, shelves-partitions are used, made in the form of shelving in the entire height of the wall.


"Slides" differ from fences by the presence of uneven edges or steps, due to which the design is unusual.

Multi-colored modules suggest a kind of constructor game when whole compositions are assembled from squares, rectangles or triangles. Their main advantages: mobility, non-standard and fast assembly, disassembly.

Built-in and corner shelves are made to order and use "dead" room areas: wall joints, narrow niches and openings.

An interesting solution could be furniture, the armrests and the base of which can be allocated for open sections to accommodate various items.

Arched compositions are often included in original products, as they are made in the form of a U-shaped shelf above a sofa, armchair or TV. Like other handmade models, they are non-standard, unusual and unique.

How to choose

In some cases, shelves come with a wardrobe, TV stand or dressing table, united by a common style and color.

If you decide to complement an existing interior, then you need to act according to a similar principle - look for the most suitable model in terms of style, texture, color and shape.

Separately, the weight and strength of the shelf is taken into account, which is selected depending on the intended content. Unusually shaped glass or plasterboard products are chosen for light loads, but thick wooden sections with a separation depth of at least 50 cm and a wall thickness of at least 5 cm are needed to store heavy books or valuable vases. The configuration is also significant: spiral, rounded models for light accessories only .


In addition to the maximum weight, attention is paid to the reliability of fastenings, material strength, structural stability. It is also important to carefully inspect the purchase, as the coating should not have chips, scratches, scuffs or other defects.

Playing in the interior

Even an ordinary square shelf can become a full-fledged "highlight" in the interior, for this it is enough to beat it, showing imagination and ingenuity. So, the trend of this season is the uneven placement of simple square structures of various shades and configurations on the wall.

The distance between them can vary from 20 cm to opposite ends of the room. It is important that the number of such modules be more than three or four.

The following technique is also popular: painting the deep walls of the adjacent rack compartments in bright contrasting colors. Mirrors inserted instead of backdrops also look luxurious.

Modern shelves are made in the most unusual configurations: specially curved, spiral, figured and disproportionate products.

Designers often use the method of visual expansion of space by deliberately leaving some sections empty. A free shelf, illuminated by a built-in lamp or a framed LED wire, also looks interesting.

Original self-made shelves are always in fashion, while the artificial aging of the material, negligence, massiveness and carelessness give them charm and originality.


You can also decorate the product yourself, for which you need leather or leatherette, metal elements, textiles, paper, stencil, tree branches or log cabins, paints, brushes, glue.

The first step is to think over the algorithm on paper, look at photos of the shelves designed by designers for the living room, look for ideas on the Internet, prepare the surface and get down to business.

Tips and tricks

When choosing any shelf, even the most modest in size, there are certain points to consider: