• Services
  • Portfolio
  • DIY & Home Decor
    • Latest Pins
  • Style & Beauty
  • Shop My Home
    • Kitchen
    • Informal Dining Room
    • Dining Room
    • Powder Room
    • Home Decor
    • Upstairs Bathroom
    • Living Room
    • My Closet
    • Master Bedroom
  • About
  • Printables
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

Lilies and Life - Interior Decorating | Blog | Home Decor | DIY

  • Services
  • Portfolio
  • DIY & Home Decor
  • Shop My Home
    • Kitchen
    • Dining Room
    • Powder Room
    • Master Bedroom
    • Living Room
    • Upstairs Bathroom
    • Informal Dining Room
    • My Closet

Shelf Decor 101

in DIY & Home Decor on 10/24/19

I have spent a while trying to figure out a simple way to explain my process of decorating shelves to you all. It took a while, but I came up with an acronym that might be helpful for you! F.A.B.B.C.A.V. Let me explain…

My tips and tricks for decorating shelves.  Frames, accents, baskets, books, candles, artificial plants, vases

F.A.B.B.C.A.V explains all the must-haves when shelf decorating:

  • F: Frames
  • A: Accents
  • B: Baskets
  • B: Books
  • C: Candles
  • A: Artificial Plants
  • V: Vases
F. Frames

Pictures frames are probably the most obvious thing one would decorate a shelf with and I agree they are necessary in creating the perfect shelf.  (I would also include clocks in the frame category because if you are adding them to a shelf they can most likely stand on their own and are flat in shape.)

Too many frames can make your shelves look out of date.  One big tip I have is that you do not need to put a personal photo in every frame of your home.  Switch it up by adding a scenery image or a printable you can find on Esty like in my DIY Gallery Wall or Master Bedroom Reveal.  You can also search Google for “Free Printables” and hundreds of neat prints with pop up.

A. Accents

Figures, bookends and sculptures are included in the accent category for decorating shelves. Accents are needed to create a balanced look and depending on the size and shape, they may be the center point of your shelves.

I found really cute red ribbon and white ribbon at Michael's.   The Christmas bulbs on these trees I have had for five years and I still love them.  I also added some sparkly winter greenery stems to my tree to offset all the plain green branches.  These greenery stems have a sparkle to them that I immediately loved!
Deer=Sculpture
B. Baskets

Baskets can be so useful on shelves to hide ugly things like remotes, cords, and in our home, my husband’s BB gun bullets ha!  

My tips and tricks for decorating shelves.  Frames, accents, baskets, books, candles, artificial plants, vases
B. Books

This is something people might forget about even though we are decorating shelves AKA bookshelves 🙂  If the outside color/texture of the books don’t go with my style I turn them so that the pages of the book show instead or I add scrapbook paper to hide the ugly colors:

My tips and tricks for decorating shelves.  Frames, accents, baskets, books, candles, artificial plants, vases
Master bedroom reveal. Bedroom decorating ideas using neutral colors, blues, whites and gray color scheme. DIY barn door and DIY framed mirror
C. Candles

Candles not only smell great but come in lots of different shapes and sizes.  I love using them as fillers or as the main attractions:

A. Artificial Plants

Now if you have real plants you want to incorporate in your shelves go for it, but most of my shelving has little to no sun so I LOVE faux plants.  Pops of greenery add so much to shelves and give the space some life:

bathroom decor using faux plants, Etsy prints and bright colors
V. Vases

Vases are probably my favorite things to decorate with just because I think they are beautiful.  I love searching at a garage sale for a good vase. A vase can be the center-point of a shelf and is another way to add in some greenery or floral to the space.

My Tips:

Tip 1: Do not try to fill in the entire shelf.  Sometimes all a shelf needs is two or three items.  Keeping the clutter at bay is key!

My tips and tricks for decorating shelves.  Frames, accents, baskets, books, candles, artificial plants, vases
My tips and tricks for decorating shelves.  Frames, accents, baskets, books, candles, artificial plants, vases

Tip 2: Choose a color scheme and use it throughout the shelves.  For our living room shelves I knew I want blues, greens, and neutrals.  So I looked for decor in those colors.  

Tip 3: Don’t get frustrated if the shelves don’t look right instantly.  It probably takes me a month to decide my shelves finished 😐 I need to stare at them everyday and then tweak them to where I finally feel they looked finished.

Tip 4: If you feel something is missing, I suggest you try “shopping” in your own home.  You might have something tucked away in a hutch or being used somewhere else that would be perfect.  I do this ALL the time, plus this will save you money!

Tip 5: If you don’t have many books or need some more books to complete your shelf, go to a thrift store!  Most thrift stores have a book section and you might end up finding some books you really like 🙂

Tip 6: Vary the height and textures of objects on each shelf.  This will ensure the shelves are not all exactly the same and will create a professional look!

Tip 7: Use sentimental items!  I love incorporating sentimental such as my grandma’s vase or a treasured picture.  Just because they may not be modern or new doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate them!

My tips and tricks for decorating shelves.  Frames, accents, baskets, books, candles, artificial plants, vases

I really hope this post was helpful for those of you trying to style your shelves.  Remember it takes time to get the look just right!

Shop some shelf decor items below:

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.

30 Comments

« Hallmark Christmas Movie Watching 101
World Market Furniture Sale! »

Comments

  1. Manish says

    10/30/2019 at 12:36 AM

    Nice

    Reply
  2. Kevin Taylor says

    11/06/2019 at 7:03 AM

    Really Great Ideas! After reading this I got a sort of inspiration to work on room. Now, I have something to implement this weekend. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • LiliesandLife says

      11/06/2019 at 2:22 PM

      I’m so happy to hear that! I’m glad my post could be helpful and inspirational to you 🙂 Happy shelf decorating!

      Reply
  3. Isabella White says

    11/19/2019 at 9:23 PM

    The Art of Shelf Decor…..Very impressive & creative.

    Reply
    • LiliesandLife says

      11/20/2019 at 12:52 PM

      Thank you! Gotta love shelf decor 🙂

      Reply
  4. Filip says

    12/02/2019 at 9:37 AM

    Thanks for the amazing shelf decorating tips Emily! That was a very interesting tip, about turning the books inside to that the pages are facing outward. What kind of artificial plants do you think would look best on wood shelves?

    Reply
    • LiliesandLife says

      12/04/2019 at 8:13 AM

      Thank you! As for artificial plants, I check out Target. They have so many cute plants that would look great on wood shelves. Plants with white planters will always go with wooden shelves.

      Reply
  5. Jhon D. Smith says

    12/29/2019 at 3:55 AM

    You are always sharing the clear greatest project image. It really helps me to understand the actual thought. Thank you for your creative design.

    Reply
  6. TLL says

    01/07/2020 at 9:15 AM

    Great article!
    I wish I had this in my possession about a month ago. I build and decorated a shelf unit in our bedroom as a surprise for my girl’s birthday. She loved it but this would have been right up her alley. She would never go for plastic plants, though! LOL She is a big green head!

    Reply
    • LiliesandLife says

      01/09/2020 at 9:03 AM

      Thank you! I’m sure the shelf looks great 🙂

      Reply
  7. Manco Painting says

    02/24/2020 at 6:00 AM

    Wow! It looks so good!
    Thank you for the tips!

    Reply
  8. Sarah says

    03/15/2020 at 9:43 AM

    Hi Emily, I struggle the most with decorating my shelves. Love your step-by-step tutorial! Artificial plants is s good idea to decor. This is so helpful! Shelves and then tables are things I struggle with the most in terms of decor – this breaks it down into simple steps.

    Reply
    • LiliesandLife says

      03/16/2020 at 3:21 PM

      Sarah, I am SO happy I could help! Happy decorating 🙂

      Reply
  9. Apkamart says

    03/18/2020 at 4:27 AM

    Great shelf decor ideas just love those plant decorations 😊so simple n attractive…best n simple ideas are available from your website.

    Reply
  10. country curtains says

    04/13/2020 at 11:39 AM

    Living room accessories and decoration items plays an important role. It doesn’t only provide cater to the home’s but also improves functionality. While doing inner decoration always remember that the interior spaces are not just enhanced for beauty but are very realistic.

    Reply
  11. Empresa de pinturas - Qualy art says

    05/20/2020 at 4:52 PM

    Hi I want to congratulate your work is of great importance for all successful readers and admirers.

    Reply
    • LiliesandLife says

      05/20/2020 at 8:12 PM

      Thank you!

      Reply
  12. Casio Wall Clock Brand says

    06/01/2020 at 2:00 PM

    Hello, I have received many good tips from your website. Thank you. You will give some more good tips in the future so that everyone benefits. Thank you.

    Reply
  13. Keira Ball says

    08/14/2020 at 2:52 PM

    Nice Ideas. I liked that Deer Sculpture. It’s unique.

    Reply
    • LiliesandLife says

      08/18/2020 at 8:16 PM

      So cute right?? Thank you!

      Reply
  14. jeena says

    08/20/2020 at 7:58 PM

    Amazing decorate guide. This is the unique idea of decorating. Thank you for sharing it.

    Reply
    • LiliesandLife says

      08/25/2020 at 3:56 PM

      You are welcome! I hope it was helpful 🙂

      Reply
  15. Anna says

    08/27/2020 at 12:55 PM

    Hi Emily. I think it would be shelf-ish not to follow your advice 🙂

    Reply
  16. Rifat says

    10/22/2020 at 4:23 AM

    Thank you so much for this enlightening post, I have significantly got some thing right here and I will bookmark this page for your next upcoming post.

    Reply
    • LiliesandLife says

      11/10/2020 at 11:55 AM

      You are welcome!

      Reply
  17. pragati lone says

    10/27/2020 at 7:49 AM

    Thanks you for sharing the wonderful post. It helps me a lot . I am delighted to read it.

    Reply
    • LiliesandLife says

      11/10/2020 at 11:56 AM

      You are welcome 🙂

      Reply
  18. Steve Davis says

    10/28/2020 at 12:44 PM

    Great tips, A good exterior painting job will extend the life of siding and trim , and increase the value of house.

    Reply
  19. Punjab Furniture says

    12/01/2020 at 12:51 AM

    I have read your post. Thanks for such a nice post, It’s really informational.

    Reply
    • LiliesandLife says

      12/08/2020 at 1:01 PM

      You are welcome!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Hi, I’m Emily! I’m an Interior designer, decorator and blogger.  I help overwhelmed homeowners and DIYers bring timeless design and function into their home so they can love their space and the life they are building within it!  Thank you for visiting 🙂

Currently Loving

Watercolor arrow printable FREE!

Subscribe Here:

Recent Posts

  • My Favorite Kitchen Counter Decor
  • Christmas Home Tour 2020
  • Christmas Mantel with Wayfair
  • Christmas Tree Decorating 101


hobby lobby

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
I have another fun announcement today! My Amazon I have another fun announcement today!  My Amazon store is LIVE!  I have some of my favorite Amazon decor, DIY supplies and more linked in my new Amazon store👍

Click the link in my bio to visit my Amazon store and get to shopping🛒

This curtain rod is one of my absolute favorite Amazon items🙌

#amazonstore #amazondecor #Interiordesign #interiordecorating #decoratingideas #diydecor #rochmn #Rochestermn #rochesterdesign #decorating #curtainrods #curtainideas #windowtreatments
I have something fun for you guys on this Monday😊  I wrote another article for @wayfair Ideas and Advice page!  This time it is all about Entryway Storage Solutions: How to Store Items Without a Mudroom.

A lot of us do not have a designated mudroom, including me.  So this article will give you some ideas on how you can create a "mudroom" space without an actual mudroom.  Check it out by clicking the link in my bio!

#mudroomideas #entrywaystorage #storageideas #entryway #mudroom #mudroomsolutions #mudroomdecor #entrywaydecor #diyentryway #halltreeideas #homedecorblogger #interiordesign #interiorinspiration #homeblogger #decoratingideas #decoratingonabudget #decorideas #decorating #Minnesotadecorating
It's my 30th Birthday today🎉 So I ALWAYS ask m It's my 30th Birthday today🎉

So I ALWAYS ask my husband to rub my feet and sometimes he does but most of the time he doesn't 😂 So guess what my birthday gift was this year? A foot massager 🤣 And I love it! I guess this means I'm getting old 😬🥳

I have been so blessed these last 30 years and can't wait to see what God has in store for this decade🙌

#footmassager #Livingroomdesign #livingroomideas #gallerywall #gallerwallideas #gallerywallinspo
One of my favorite things to decorate is SHELVING! One of my favorite things to decorate is SHELVING!  Let's be honest, there isn't anything I don't like decorating, but shelves have a special place in my heart🥰

My clients had no idea what to put in this cute little shelf unit so Emily to the rescue!

What is your struggle when decorating shelves??

#shelfdecor #shelving #shelfideas #builtins #builtinshelving #mantledecor #mantleideas #maplewoodtrim #vaultedceiling #homedecorblogger #interiordesign #interiorinspiration #homeblogger #decoratingideas #decoratingonabudget #decorideas #decorating #Minnesotadecorating
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · glam theme by Restored 316

  • About
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact