Shelves accent---or even define---a space.
Although the purpose of shelves is mainly functional, a stylish shelf can accent a room's existing tone or bring a whole new flavor to the space. As shelves serve in almost every room of the house---holding everything from towels to books to spices---their aesthetic impact on the home shouldn't be underestimated. When brewing ideas for shelves, remember to picture the shelf in the room and consider how it will blend---or clash---with its surroundings. Does this Spark an idea?
Bookshelves
Your bookshelves should accent the surrounding furniture.
Bookshelves are the most common type of shelves for home decorating. These shelves---which generally stand at hip level and sometimes reach as far as the ceiling---don't always hold books and come in a variety of styles. For a unified, stylish home decor, match your bookshelves with the style of the rest of your furniture. Go with Art Deco, modern or mid-century-style shelves when accenting furniture defined by bold geometric shapes. Lacquered woods, innovative forms, tubular steel and minimalistic shapes define these types of shelves. Spaces with a more classical or elegant style may fit into Victorian, Art Nouveau or Renaissance categories. For these spaces, try shelves of dark wood or wrought iron---some with glass components---or shelves with detailed designs, such as floral or ivy accents. Boxy bookshelves made of thick wood---sometime unfinished---go well with Arts and Crafts and Mission styles, which are defined by large, squat and rustic furniture in simple rectangular forms. Conversely, mixing and matching styles can create a "shabby chic" sort of decor---just make sure each piece has its own history and character.
Decorative Shelves
Floating wall shelves provide a home for knickknacks and other items.
Corner shelving units---which feature triangular ends made for fitting into the intersection of two walls---save space and brighten up difficult-to-decorate corner spaces. Floating wall shelves mount directly to the wall. These types of shelves are simple and minimalist, adding basic, bold lines to contemporary home styles and holding items such as books, knickknacks and entertainment media. For an uncommon conversation piece, try an over-the-top window shelf. Similar to floating shelves, these shelves mount over windows and doors and go well with country-style decor. As they rest high, they're best for holding decorative items. Similarly, wall-mounted knickknack shelves and step shelves are purely decorative units that add a bit of character and charm to a space when filled with personal artifacts.
Repurposed Shelves
Emptied crates serve as rustic shelf stand-ins.
Repurposed and recycled shelves add environmentally friendly character to almost any space. To create repurposed book shelves, try turning over and stacking wooden or plastic crates such as wine crates, milk crates or egg crates. Old ladders leaned against the wall or built-in loft rafters also serve as creative bookshelf alternatives. Slatted shutters mounted on the wall add an artistic touch to kitchens and offices, and can be used as shelves to contain papers, letters and envelopes, while old wine racks might serve as linen shelves. These types of shelves create an eclectic and hodgepodge atmosphere while serving as conversation starters. They tend to work well in dorms, lofts and studio spaces.
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