15 Ideas for Shelf Displays

Updated July 17, 2020
Credit: Photo copyright Courtney Browning.

Restyle a cluttered shelf with these tips for arranging and organizing books, collectibles and other accessories.

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Pick a color palette

Credit: Photo copyright Courtney Browning.

Kansas decorator Courtney Browning of 12th and White says shelves will look most cohesive when a color story runs throughout. "Not everything has to be matchy-matchy, but choosing two or three shades and repeating them will give your displays an intentional, pulled-together look," Courtney says. "These built-ins in our living room are done in a neutral palette with silver, black and gray running throughout, but any color combination would be beautiful."

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DIY shelves

Stack benches to create unique shelves, perfect for rustic accessories such as our collection of watering cans or old books.

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Personalized shelves

Label shelves so each family member can show off their style and personality.

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Cooking nook

Keep specialized books where you'll need them most. We stashed our favorite cookbooks on a small kitchen shelf and added accessories that complement the room's colors.

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Show off collectibles

These kitchen shelves in an Ohio home offer both storage and a decorative display for the homeowner's 400-piece pottery collection, arranged by color and style.

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Storyteller shelves

Vintage curiosities on built-in shelves greet visitors as they step into the foyer of this Michigan home. "I'm a big collector," the homeowner says. "We display pieces from our families, gifts and found things." Incorporating items with a history injects personality into a room.

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Recycled storage

Hard-sided suitcases store files on a shelving unit.

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Office decor

Shelves in this Chicago-area home office combine practical storage with attractive art pieces. Lower cubbies keep paper products within easy reach.

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Traditional display

A geometrical grouping of portraits and formal furniture sets the tone for a traditional bookcase in this Chicago-area Colonial style home. Books stacked horizontally, vertically and at an angle mix with a few accessories in dark colors for a subdued, formal look.

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Cascading colors

Create a rainbow of reading and make a statement by color-coding your shelf as the owners did in this Columbus, Ohio, house. If you don't have a complete rainbow, stop by a local library sale to find the missing hues.

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Extra, extra

Use books as a pedestal for ceramics or vases. We added two books under the smaller dish on the second shelf.

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Wrapped up

Bold color backgrounds call for clean, simple lines. Wrap books in brown packing paper for a warm, uniform scheme.

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