What to put
on a shelf in the living room? arrangement ideas

Wall shelves in the living room aren't just ideal storage space. They are a good way to add personality to an interior and show off what we really like. How do you make them not just a backdrop, but a real highlight of the space? Here are some ideas and inspiration.

When planning your living room décor, we should consider every detail. After all, it is not only the furniture that determines its character, but also the accessories. Shelves can hold your favourite books, a collection of candles or a decorative pot with a green plant. Family photo frames, lamps and vases will also look great.

ARE WALL SHELVES A GOOD IDEA FOR THE LIVING ROOM?

Hanging shelves are a functional solution, making it easier to organise small items. They work well in small interiors because they are visually light and save floor space. They offer great design possibilities. They can be hung on the side walls to discreetly increase the usability of the space, or placed above the TV to create a striking frame for the screen. They also look great above a sofa or corner sofa, as they help break up the monotony of empty walls.

For inspiration see: What for an empty wall? Wall decorations to decorate it with

WHAT TO PUT ON YOUR LIVING ROOM SHELF? THE TRENDIEST ACCESSORIES

A shelf in the living room can be like a showcase for the home. It's a great place for trinkets that add character to the space:

• Commode lamps - nothing builds atmosphere like atmospheric lighting. If placed on a chest of drawers or a hanging shelf, lamps are both a stylish decoration and a source of light that highlights the most beautiful elements of the arrangement.

• Candlesticks and candles - the perfect solution when you want to bring some magic and warmth into the evening without much effort. Don't be afraid to mix different candles - varying heights, colours and textures will create an interesting composition that catches the eye.

• Vases - empty ones will be a minimalist decorative accent for the living room, while filled with dried plants or fresh flowers will add a natural charm to the interior. They look good solo, but will look equally good in combination with other accessories.

• Photoframes take us on a sentimental journey to the past every time. It's a way to add character and warmth to an interior. It is worth mixing different sizes and styles of frames - from classic to modern - to create an interesting, vibrant composition.

• Books - if you have a collection of books, it is worth displaying them on a shelf in the living room. We can place them vertically or lay them down, creating a striking composition with the ceramics. We can successfully separate them with decorations to add variety to the home library.

• Ceramics, figurines, decorative glassware - whether individually or in small groups of 3, these little things can add character to a shelf. Boldly combine different shapes, colours and textures and your living room shelf will be transformed into a mini gallery full of style that catches the eye and adds personality to the interior.

You may also be interested in: What to put in a showcase or bookcase in the living room? Inspirational arrangements

ARRANGING SHELVES - WHAT CAN BE DONE TO KEEP THEM FROM LOOKING CLUTTERED?

A shelf is like an open book - it shows the style and character of the interior. To make it look light and aesthetically pleasing, the most important thing is to stick to a few simple rules.

1. Less is more - try not to overwhelm the shelf with too many items. 3-5 items are enough to make an arrangement look stylish and neat, and give each item a chance to stand out.

2. The common denominator - juxtaposing items of different heights and textures is fine, as long as you make sure that they harmonise with the interior design. The colours, materials and style of the decoration should relate to the overall arrangement.

3. Visual balance - ensure that one side of a shelf is notvisually heavier than the other. Thoughtful distribution will help to ensure visual order, even with more items.

More useful information can be found in the article: Inspirations for hanging wall shelves

INSPIRING IDEAS FOR LIVING ROOM SHELVES

Here are a handful of ideas to help turn ordinary living room shelves into striking interior decoration.

CLOSER TO NATURE - A SHELF AS A BASE FOR PLANTS

When arranging shelves in the living room, it is a good idea to rely on natural plants. Green tenants act as natural decoration and at the same time improve the microclimate in the room. Hanging plants will be an ideal idea for wall shelves, while standing plants will help fill empty space on the dresser top. It is advisable to find a good company for them in the form of covers. Those in the colour of the wall will blend discreetly into the arrangement, while contrasting models will add character.

HARMONY OF FORM AND NATURE - MINIMALIST JAPANESE DESIGN

An interesting decoration for a shelf in the living room or dining room will be a composition of a nature-inspired painting, a ceramic vase and books. Clean forms will provide a sense of order, while different textures will add character to the arrangement. If the shelf is located in the immediate vicinity of a socket, it is worth placing a lamp on it, which will provide pleasant light in the evening.

MODERN CHIC - CONTRASTING BLACK, GLASS AND METALLIC ACCENTS

In a modern living room, go bold with striking, contrasting materials that catch the eye. Place a graphic with an image of the city on the shelves of the 4 You Fresh bookcase and a shiny glass vase in black next to it. A particularly interesting effect can be achieved if black also appears on the other shelves - whether in the form of book spines or boxes that organise the space.

CLASSIC ELEGANCE - FRAMES AND CANDLE COLLECTION

It is hard to find better company for shelves than sentimental photographs or aromatic candles. We can place prints on the Omm shelf and lean them against the wall, and complement the arrangement with mini vases, which will create a dynamic composition with them. The juxtaposition of candles in jars with spikes placed in a striking House Nordic candleholder will look equally interesting and elegant.

HOW DO I CHOOSE THE LAYOUT OF THE SHELVES AND THEIR HEIGHT?

If you intend to frequently reach for the items displayed on the shelves, they should be within easy reach, hanging no higher than about 150-160 cm from the floor. This will avoid the need to climb onto a platform or chair, and will make using the shelves comfortable and safe.

It is slightly more complicated to install several shelves. Geometrical order will be created by those mounted next to each other in a straight line, while a more spacious composition will be obtained by varying the distances and heights between them.

It is also worth experimenting with the size of the shelves, creating interesting groups. A perfect place to display various objects in the living room are the simple Tonal shelves, available in as many as 6 colours and 2 sizes to choose from.