DIY: Making a Shelf Display
Everyone has had the experience of trying to pleasingly arrange a set of shelves. More often than not it ends with exasperated head-scratching and multiple attempts all for nothing as each ends looking messier than the last. “Why can’t I make it look like the magazine?” This is the cry of many home decorators trying something new. But don’t sweat it! We’re here to give you a few tips for your DIY shelving endeavor.
Materials
The first thing to do is take stock. What do you have that is shelf-worthy and how do these things relate to each other? What is required to bring your display together and make it coordinated and aesthetically pleasing? The type of content you have will help you formulate a plan as well as dictate the shelf type you need for your display.
As you think about the kind of shelves you want, you must consider a few different factors: height, durability, and accessibility. Generally, shelving displays are four to five feet tall to accommodate the eye level of the average viewer, but you can also take into account the size of the space where the shelves will exist and what works well in it as well as the height of your ceilings and what they can accommodate. The height of the space between the shelves is also important. If you have a range of object sizes then it may be a good choice to purchase adjustable shelves.
If you have primarily heavier items such as books, then solid wooden shelving is a good choice, whereas lighter and smaller items, such as nicknacks and souvenirs, look best on a more open display such as glass shelving. If these items are ones which you use often then you may consider avoiding cabinet cases but if the objects don’t have practical use or are a delicate collection such as figurines or dishes, then it can be an interesting touch to have transparent doors on your display.
Style
Now you have the shelves, and you must decide what style of arrangement you want to utilize. Generally, all display styles fall into two categories: minimalism and maximalism. Of course, this decision may be made for you depending on the amount of content you already possess but of course, there is always the option of leaving things out or slowly adding more items into the collection. Minimalism is pretty simple. It will involve taking a few simple items of similar color and varying sizes and arranging them with relatively large spaces between them, making for a calming and clean aesthetic. This may appeal to those who are looking to present a professional and neat lifestyle.
Maximalism is a bit more difficult to achieve as there is a very thin line between stylish maximalism and a mess. Done right, maximalism involves many items of a similar, usually bright color pallet involving patterns with extremely varying sizes arranged seemingly haphazardly but making a satisfying overall look. Done wrong, this simply turns into clutter. The two styles can be summarized by the phrases “Less is more” (minimalism), and “More is more” (maximalism). Which style you choose depends on a few factors. First, personal preference. Many people find minimalism sterile and uninviting while others find maximalism overstimulating and uncomfortable. Again, the amount of items you already have will play a part in this decision but you should also keep in mind the size of your living space. Maximalism, already at risk of looking like a mess, will more easily degrade in a small space while minimalism in a large space can feel unwelcoming and cold.
Organization
Now beyond style, there are a few organization methods that you may want to consider if you’re displaying a collection of similar items like books, figurines, or dishes. If you have a collection with subtypes, such as a collection of books with different genres like fantasy, history, and biography, then you may want to organize by type. If you have enough of an item with varying colors, then it may be an interesting style choice to arrange them by color, making a rainbow or ombre effect. A different but equally interesting look can be achieved by organizing items by size, going from bigger items to smaller items, or vice-versa.
Every home needs and indeed cannot avoid having a display. Now whether this display is purposeful and organized is up to you. Unless you are at the extreme end of minimalism, chances are you have a set of shelves filled with this or that, likely books, souvenirs, and the like. Shelves can serve as a small representation of your personality and life, your interests, and your story for you and your guests to enjoy. This is a wonderful way to fill a wall and, at the same time, make your living space your own. We hope you enjoyed these tips and tricks! Check out the other DIY posts on our blog!
