Design Happens

Almost everything has a shelf life.

Trends expire and seasons change so it’s no wonder that right now, online readers are looking for ways to freshen up their shelves. Arranging collectibles and displaying books is tricky so our audience has been consuming tips for decorating shelves and bookcases.

Expert designer Tyler Wisler says, “I believe that when you are displaying your favorite items you need to think in clusters, or small moments. You can either group by color, by size or by specifically what the items are. I have on my living room shelves a stack of small wooden boxes, near a large vintage trunk because they are within the same genre of accessories, if you will.”

“On another shelf, I let a gorgeous ram skull rest up against a piece of found driftwood and kept the surrounding areas open to give it more importance,” says Tyler.

If you have more stuff to display than you have space, consider making your own shelves. I was inspired by Tyler’s look and found this DIY industrial-rustic bookshelf project by Dan Faires.

If you’re adding shelf life to your home, decorate with the mantra—quality over quantity.

Tyler says, “Often the use of negative space on a shelf is just as powerful as the impact of filled space. An important tool when arranging is your editing eye, sometimes less is more!”

How are you giving your home a fresh look? Tell us about it…or just keep clicking.