This post may contain affiliate links.
One of the must-haves for our new house was a set of built-in shelves. I was so excited when we bought a home with two rooms with built-in shelves, but quickly learned it is difficult to decorate built-ins. Last weekend my talented friend Christina, from Christina on the Daily, came over for a shelf styling session. I’m so excited to share Christina’s tips with you for styling built-in shelves.
What to Use to Decorate Shelves
Candlestick Holders – variety of sizes, metals, etc.
Books
Baskets – variety of shapes, sizes, and styles
Framed Art or Photos
Glass Bottles – variety of shapes, sizes, and colors
Bookends
Plant life – faux or real
Antique Locks
Orbs
Metal Figurines
Tip 1: Collect items for decorating FIRST
Christina brought over two baskets of decor from her home to show me how to style the shelves in our great room.
NOTE: Before you go out and buy new decor, look around your house for items. Everything you see in this post both Christina and I already owned and was not purchased for the post.
Tip 2: Less is More
Crowded bookshelves can make a room feel smaller, so try strategically placing items on your shelf. I love the less is more approach when it comes to decorating, especially for the white built-in shelves in my home.
Tip 3: Balance Object Heights Evenly
Consider the heights of your objects when decorating your shelves. It is important to balance object heights evenly – and so much more appealing to your eye!
Tip 4: Spray paint old books
If you love the look of plain book bindings, use flat white spray paint to cover up the author and title on an old book. You can find old books at thrift stores, consignment shops, or even tag sales for just a couple of dollars.
Tip 5: Add water to the bottom of the vase of a faux plant.
Adding water to the bottom of a glass vase filled with faux plants makes them appear to be REAL. Just a little bit goes a long way.
Tip 6: Group glass vases and bottles
Christina has been collecting glass bottles for a couple of years. She groups them by placing the tall bottles in the middle and smaller bottles on the outside.
My Styled Built-In Shelves
After Christina decorated my shelves with her items, she used some of my favorite objects to decorate the built-ins. I’m in love with my newly styled built-ins!
I’m so excited to use Christina’s tips when decorating my built in shelves! I have a great collection of items now, but will continue to build up the possibilities for shelf decor.
I love how you styled this shelves, very clean and simple yet welcoming.
Love this decor. Your shelves look so clean and polished! These are fantastic tips — thank you for sharing!
I love these tips and photos to go along with it!! Thank you
Aww so pretty! I love the built ins that came with our house! I’ve had so much fun filing them with family pictures and decor over the years. Such a great way to add warmth and character to a room
I love this post! We just got a new book shelf so this will come in handy!
My mom is the master of decorating. Me, on the other hand, not as good. But I do have a good assortment of items I can use to decorate shelves/tops of dressers. Its fun to switch them up with the seasons too
https://www.closet-fashionista.com/
Simply gorgeous! And your tips are fabulous….but when can you come to Stamford and just help a sister out ???
Your shelves look amazing, thanks for these tips! Less is more is always tough for me, but it’s so much better that way!
xo Annie
New England Romance
I saw the BTS of this blog post on your Instagram Story! You did a wonderful job styling your built-ins. Great interior design inspiration!
I love the less is more theme you have with decorating… the shelves look magazine ready! On our long house to do list, I want to have built-ins made and will definitely be saving these tips!
Ugh Catalyn I am so obsessed with these. You and Christina did an awesome job! I’m super inspired to go home and re-vamp my shelves with a few of the tips you shared. I especially love spray painting old books so they match but you still get the same feel. Thank you!
Okayyy Christina, can you come style my shelves for me?! Oh my gosh, these look amazing! I’m so impressed!
Love how you styled your built in shelves, it looks amazing! That idea of spraying old books with white spraypaint is such a cute diy!
Kileen
cute & little
Gorgeous decor. I hope to decorate some shelves when I move into my apartment!
I am loving all of your decor picks! So fresh and airy to brighten up any space
Great tips and some truly lovely ideas <3