Taming open shelves

<div class="entry-summary"><div class="phrasing_content"> Are your selves like mine?  They start out beautifully arranged and over time bits and pieces of things end up store there, and soon you have a  messy jumble.  If you are someone who can relax in a space no matter what is going on in it, perhaps a jumble of objects  doesn't bother you.  I'm not like that.  If my environment is in a mess that is how my head feels.  <br /><br />Here are 5 great tips to  bring order to unruly  shelves.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/79767/Living-eclectic-living-room-portland"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Vary sizes of objects </b></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXDDFsIaD_HilT7l-la7Z_QGWhWbeJu-LbZ0-GFs2PoBuonD1UrlgwJBAN0T9uwsCNH8ZuLng4ZNoQ8lfanlRyW4dpRcB-xfYrM38n8wqIW8nSTtlegnRgx4ME8lgSCYcnVnThxE26Mcn/s1600/69594756711623386_Ks3tJcdP_f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXDDFsIaD_HilT7l-la7Z_QGWhWbeJu-LbZ0-GFs2PoBuonD1UrlgwJBAN0T9uwsCNH8ZuLng4ZNoQ8lfanlRyW4dpRcB-xfYrM38n8wqIW8nSTtlegnRgx4ME8lgSCYcnVnThxE26Mcn/s640/69594756711623386_Ks3tJcdP_f.jpg" width="460" /></a></div><br />One of the simplest rules when arranging vignettes is to have a range of object sizes for variety.  Some should be small , some medium and at least one piece that is large. And remember to layer to create interest.  Put a tray at the back and then stack  books and a small object on top of them. If you layer artwork make sure it is actually visible.  There's nothing more annoying than using art work in a display and then covering it up. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Use repetition</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/507184/Hillgrove-Project-traditional-living-room-los-angeles"><img alt="Hillgrove Project traditional living room" border="0" height="750" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/507184_0_8-0686-traditional-living-room.jpg" width="500" /></a><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/mkspach/tim-barber-ltd-architecture-interior-design" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Tim Barber LTD Architecture & Interior Design</a></small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/626010/Bookcase-Accessorizing-eclectic-living-room-raleigh"><img alt="Bookcase Accessorizing eclectic living room" border="0" height="790" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/626010_0_8-5571-eclectic-living-room.jpg" width="500" /></a><small> </small><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/rachelgcfl/rachel-freeman" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Rachel Freeman</a></small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Repetition, when used well, creates a strong design. Choose several elements to repeat throughout the bookcase/shelving. If you have one stack of books laid horizontally, repeat this arrangement in at least two other places.  Use small sculptures, boxes or vases and rest them on top of a pile of books or magazines. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Keep it neutral </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b><img align="middle" alt="shelf-style-overall.jpg" border="0" height="628" hspace="0" src="http://www.styleathome.com/img/photos/biz/Style%20at%20Home/shelf-style-overall.jpg" vspace="0" width="550" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.styleathome.com/decorating-and-design/styling-secrets/how-to-style-open-shelves/a/34418/2">Style at Home</a></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>When you have a range of objects to store,  one of the best ways to keep things looking pulled together is to choose neutral colour schemes.  I love white objects for this purpose. You might also consider silver, brass, wood etc.   There's a lot going on in the space above, but because everything is white or very pale, a cohesive look is achieved.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurdVa6aF1CNMj_S2CMr49uIIQ27anZQgppdOJdJW-AYKjX4Y3dglgnXvU5bedI-W4r_Mqgph7qMme_uJx-upKvejBvx9aXy-E9eFmL1iGBx1ozaRjazfUUUKv1Jkj4uI6BYrrqrov4Gty/s1600/171277592048202157_yezYGqJp_f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurdVa6aF1CNMj_S2CMr49uIIQ27anZQgppdOJdJW-AYKjX4Y3dglgnXvU5bedI-W4r_Mqgph7qMme_uJx-upKvejBvx9aXy-E9eFmL1iGBx1ozaRjazfUUUKv1Jkj4uI6BYrrqrov4Gty/s640/171277592048202157_yezYGqJp_f.jpg" width="512" /></a> </div><br /> This neutral scheme allows the homeowner to display stored items in an interesting way.  Also notice that the organization on each shelf is organized in two sets with both having equal visual weight. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kPpmdIJ2WL_Mtt5jLLJp-c3iPKgzr8wzLx0P3qPeU6rvipyT9jqSRpWWEWynD1Ri3z6nyNNB2dpJWb4gNSDEZpOUEr7qrAGnR4SrDKl3Os7dyqD7H1er9K1iOp8TkiDEKA-p18av83v9/s1600/237424211575008203_cgI2VQLr_f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_kPpmdIJ2WL_Mtt5jLLJp-c3iPKgzr8wzLx0P3qPeU6rvipyT9jqSRpWWEWynD1Ri3z6nyNNB2dpJWb4gNSDEZpOUEr7qrAGnR4SrDKl3Os7dyqD7H1er9K1iOp8TkiDEKA-p18av83v9/s640/237424211575008203_cgI2VQLr_f.jpg" width="360" /></a></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is as neutral as you can get in both theme and colour scheme.I love the repetition of bottles and books with variety achieved through shape. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Keep interesting elements at eye level </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK34yXM7zcJ06G6ISp4h9vLjs0BtWWIcmNo24Z8v0DAK4UOa8nFgkZZsIb9j6AavegpAEummYj0YizAz8NLdGunGgL-A158C2DQOcDItrJUgNgH2YwitEYARWGdHZQ18ME6W5EnQeTQshy/s1600/shelf1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK34yXM7zcJ06G6ISp4h9vLjs0BtWWIcmNo24Z8v0DAK4UOa8nFgkZZsIb9j6AavegpAEummYj0YizAz8NLdGunGgL-A158C2DQOcDItrJUgNgH2YwitEYARWGdHZQ18ME6W5EnQeTQshy/s640/shelf1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://theglitterguide.com/2012/01/25/how-to-style-a-bookshelf/8/">The Glitter Guide </a></span></div><br />This is an easy one and it really makes a difference. When you walk into a room , you tend to see what is at eye level first.  Don't forget about "seated" eye level  too.  Keep boring objects toward the bottom.  Also remember that if you have a line of books or really dark objects they will have a lot of visual weight and should rest at the bottom of the display. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Create relationships</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/79767/Living-eclectic-living-room-portland"><img alt="Living eclectic living room" border="0" height="750" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/79767_0_8-7578-eclectic-living-room.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b><small><a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/pdxdesignerguy/garrison-hullinger-interior-design-inc" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Garrison Hullinger Interior Design Inc.</a></small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>  </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSviR1VIVOLoFwDFa3sQSDXwCri0dNR5EeT5Puf8E8-af6ZnQa1bVjbne7vaQyZkZGtpGNrAx8cN0wGdkbXSFEIh5k2Dux43wvPTan6jJFjJhwLNr4zCB2JkqypIVRMyzbsEvoErhwvEyp/s1600/9359111695460311_jEQuZcJA_f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSviR1VIVOLoFwDFa3sQSDXwCri0dNR5EeT5Puf8E8-af6ZnQa1bVjbne7vaQyZkZGtpGNrAx8cN0wGdkbXSFEIh5k2Dux43wvPTan6jJFjJhwLNr4zCB2JkqypIVRMyzbsEvoErhwvEyp/s640/9359111695460311_jEQuZcJA_f.jpg" width="480" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://amberinteriordesign.blogspot.ca/search?updated-max=2011-12-01T06:00:00-08:00&max-results=50">Amber Interiors </a></span><br /><br /></div>Choose a common element when you arrange shelving.  It could be similar colours, shapes or content/theme. Choose objects that relate to one another in colour and/or shape to create unity. Vary the size of objects and make sure they relate to each other in some way. In the images above the common theme is containers interspersed with art work.

Taming open shelves

 Are your selves like mine?  They start out beautifully arranged and over time bits and pieces of things end up store there, and soon you ha...

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