Decorating
17 Smashing Shelving Suggestions
Take a look at these game-changing shelving ideas for every room in the house
Whether it’s their shape, location, or how their contents are arranged, shelving can work wonders in a house that needs an extra little something to add that finishing touch.
We’ve come up with some ideas to take your shelves from bland to beautiful in every area of the house.
We’ve come up with some ideas to take your shelves from bland to beautiful in every area of the house.
2. Whimsical fun
Shelving as charming as this will bring any child’s bedroom to life. Put your own creativity to work or make it a family project – matching the paint colour used in the tree branches to the shelving is the key to making it work.
Shelving as charming as this will bring any child’s bedroom to life. Put your own creativity to work or make it a family project – matching the paint colour used in the tree branches to the shelving is the key to making it work.
3. Wow factor
These shelves give new meaning to the phrase ‘thinking outside the square’. The circular design emphasises the window’s shape and gives an already impressive element in the room an attention-getting edge.
These shelves give new meaning to the phrase ‘thinking outside the square’. The circular design emphasises the window’s shape and gives an already impressive element in the room an attention-getting edge.
4. Modern addition
Using the stairwell in this light-filled home to display magazines, books and knick-knacks makes the most of available space and is a chance for homeowners to reflect their unique personality.
Using the stairwell in this light-filled home to display magazines, books and knick-knacks makes the most of available space and is a chance for homeowners to reflect their unique personality.
6. On display
Beautifully illustrated books should not be stacked away from sight when they can add so much delight to a child’s room. Artwork on the walls simply isn’t needed in this colourful space; just paint the walls and ceilings with blocks of contrasting colours and add some simple shelving. Rotating the selection every week or so will turn Junior into a book lover for life.
Beautifully illustrated books should not be stacked away from sight when they can add so much delight to a child’s room. Artwork on the walls simply isn’t needed in this colourful space; just paint the walls and ceilings with blocks of contrasting colours and add some simple shelving. Rotating the selection every week or so will turn Junior into a book lover for life.
7. Storage style
The timber benchtops in this kitchen have been carried one step further by using the same material to create some extra shelving. Even the smallest of spaces can accommodate a stack of vertical floating shelves – and the chalkboard paint used behind these adds character.
The timber benchtops in this kitchen have been carried one step further by using the same material to create some extra shelving. Even the smallest of spaces can accommodate a stack of vertical floating shelves – and the chalkboard paint used behind these adds character.
8. Clever move
When space is tight, what better way to make use of that awkward area under the stairs than with a display case that incorporates the TV. Love it.
When space is tight, what better way to make use of that awkward area under the stairs than with a display case that incorporates the TV. Love it.
9. Office works
Floor-to-ceiling shelving can work in some home offices, but with a little imagination, your workspace can become positively inspiring. Mix shelving with wall cabinets, and consider textured wallpaper in a colour you love to bring some joy into your working day. The sconces used on the shelving in this home office echo the tones of that knockout desk lamp.
Floor-to-ceiling shelving can work in some home offices, but with a little imagination, your workspace can become positively inspiring. Mix shelving with wall cabinets, and consider textured wallpaper in a colour you love to bring some joy into your working day. The sconces used on the shelving in this home office echo the tones of that knockout desk lamp.
10. Blue buzz
Shelves like these will add pizzazz to any bathroom, even without the colour injection. Think about shelves that create different shapes and sizes, then decide what colour you want to use. Feature the colour elsewhere in the bathroom for maximum impact.
Shelves like these will add pizzazz to any bathroom, even without the colour injection. Think about shelves that create different shapes and sizes, then decide what colour you want to use. Feature the colour elsewhere in the bathroom for maximum impact.
11. Books galore
A house with lots of books feels more like a home, so add bookshelves however and wherever you can. This home amplifies its already fabulous collection with the use of a mirror opposite the shelves.
A house with lots of books feels more like a home, so add bookshelves however and wherever you can. This home amplifies its already fabulous collection with the use of a mirror opposite the shelves.
12. Island life
Connect the kitchen and dining area in your open-plan home with bookshelves built into the island. Cookbooks are natural choices for these shelves, but it also creates a handy space to stash current homework and bills.
Connect the kitchen and dining area in your open-plan home with bookshelves built into the island. Cookbooks are natural choices for these shelves, but it also creates a handy space to stash current homework and bills.
13. Bookshelf doorway
Using the space over your doorway creates quite the entrance to another room. That room becomes even more enticing when it’s painted a delicious red.
Using the space over your doorway creates quite the entrance to another room. That room becomes even more enticing when it’s painted a delicious red.
14. Quirky appeal
Don’t let a slanted ceiling stand in your way. Great shelving can be added just about anywhere with the help of a savvy carpenter.
Don’t let a slanted ceiling stand in your way. Great shelving can be added just about anywhere with the help of a savvy carpenter.
15. Floating fine
The shapes and colours you choose to display on your shelves will have a major impact on the room at large. The ceramics displayed on these floating shelves make this kitchen corner utterly beautiful.
The shapes and colours you choose to display on your shelves will have a major impact on the room at large. The ceramics displayed on these floating shelves make this kitchen corner utterly beautiful.
16. Go long
This all-white bathroom has been given seriously stylish impact with floating shelves that stretch across a good length of the wall. Experiment with shelving lengths before settling for too conservative an option.
This all-white bathroom has been given seriously stylish impact with floating shelves that stretch across a good length of the wall. Experiment with shelving lengths before settling for too conservative an option.
17. Colour coded
Those who have discovered the joy of colour-coding their bookshelves will understand when I say, just do it. Walking into a room with books arranged by colour is one of those secret ingredients that give a room that extra layer of style and appeal.
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU…
What items in your home are desperately in need in a good storage solution? Tell us in the comments section below. We’d also love to see high-resolution photos of your own show-stopping shelving solutions.
Those who have discovered the joy of colour-coding their bookshelves will understand when I say, just do it. Walking into a room with books arranged by colour is one of those secret ingredients that give a room that extra layer of style and appeal.
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU…
What items in your home are desperately in need in a good storage solution? Tell us in the comments section below. We’d also love to see high-resolution photos of your own show-stopping shelving solutions.
If you desperately need more storage space in the kitchen but think you don’t have the space, look to the ceiling for inspiration. Load-bearing shelves can be suspended over benchtops with great success, and can also serve to separate one space from another.