Decorating a corner shelf can be a fun and creative way to enhance the aesthetics of your home while showcasing your personal style. Corner shelves provide a unique and often underutilized space for displaying your favorite decorative items, such as photographs, artwork, plants, books, or other cherished belongings.
Whether you have a built-in corner shelf or have installed one yourself, knowing how to decorate it effectively can transform it from a simple storage solution into a stylish focal point in your room. In this article, we will explore various tips and ideas on how to decorate a corner shelf to make it visually appealing, functional, and reflective of your personal taste.
From selecting the right items to arranging them in an aesthetically pleasing manner, we will provide you with inspiration and guidance to create a stunning corner shelf display that complements your home’s interior design.
What Looks Good on a Corner Shelf?
Decorating a corner shelf can be a great way to give your room a stylish and organized feel. But it can be hard to figure out what exactly looks good on the shelf. Here are some ideas for items that work well on any corner shelf:
1. Books:
Whether big or small, books always look great on shelves, especially when grouped together with other books of similar colors and sizes. If you have an empty space in the middle, consider adding a decorative item like a picture frame or sculpture.
2. Plants:
Adding plants to your corner shelf is a great way to bring life into your room. Choose something low-maintenance, like succulents or cacti, so you don’t have to worry about watering them often.
3. Artwork:
A corner shelf is a perfect place to show off your favorite pieces of art. Hang paintings, photographs, or sculptures to create a personal gallery that doubles as a great conversation piece.
4. Mirrors:
Installing a mirror on the wall behind your corner shelf can help make the space look larger and brighter. Place small items like picture frames or books on the shelf to reflect light back into the room.
5. Decorative Objects:
Use decorative objects like vases, jars, figurines, and trinkets to fill in any empty space on your corner shelf. These items will add color and texture while still keeping things looking neat and organized.
No matter what items you choose for your corner shelf, it’s important to make sure that everything looks visually pleasing. Grouping similar items together can help create a unified look, while alternating sizes and colors will add interest to the space. With a little creativity, you can easily turn your corner shelf into a beautiful focal point for your room.
10 Methods How to Decorate a Corner Shelf
Decorating a corner shelf can be a fun and creative process that allows you to personalize your space and showcase your favorite items. Here are ten methods on how to decorate a corner shelf:
1. Select a Theme or Color Scheme
Choose a theme or color scheme for your corner shelf to create a cohesive and visually appealing display. For example, you could opt for a minimalist, boho, coastal, or vintage theme or choose a specific color palette that complements the overall decor of your room. Having a theme or color scheme in mind will help you make cohesive choices when selecting items to decorate your corner shelf.
2. Choose Decorative Items
Select decorative items that align with your chosen theme or color scheme. This can include items such as framed photographs, artwork, small sculptures, vases, candles, or other decorative objects that hold significance to you.
Consider the size, shape, and color of the items to create visual interest and balance on your corner shelf. Place the items around the shelf and adjust their position until you are satisfied with their placement. Be sure to leave some negative space open on the shelf for a more open and airy look.
While it is important to choose pieces that coordinate with your decor, don’t be afraid to mix and match different styles. Jazz up the shelf by adding texture with soft items such as blankets and pillows, or brighten it up with dried flowers and greenery.
3. Use Different Heights and Sizes
Vary the heights and sizes of the items you display on your corner shelf to add visual interest and create a dynamic display. Place taller items at the back of the shelf and gradually decrease the height towards the front.
Use different-sized objects to add depth and dimension to your display. Place small items in front of larger ones to ensure that all items on the shelf are visible. Additionally, you can use color and texture to create visual interest.
Choose items that have different colors and textures to add variety to your shelf display. For example, you can use a ceramic vase alongside a wooden sculpture. This will add visual interest and help to create a balanced display.
4. Play with Textures and Materials
Incorporate different textures and materials into your corner shelf display to add depth and visual appeal. For example, you could use a mix of wood, metal, glass, ceramic, or woven materials to create an interesting contrast. Experiment with different textures, such as smooth, rough, shiny, or matte, to add visual interest and tactile appeal to your corner shelf.
5. Use Books as Decorative Objects
Books can serve as both functional and decorative objects on your corner shelf. Arrange books vertically or horizontally, or a combination of both, to create visual interest. You can also use books with interesting covers or spines that match your color scheme or theme to add a decorative element to your corner shelf.
If you don’t have enough books to fill the shelf, try combining them with other decorative objects like figurines or artwork. You can also use colorful bookends to keep the books in place and add a pop of color. No matter how you decide to arrange them, using books as decorative objects is a great way to add visual appeal and balance to your corner shelf.
6. Add Greenery
Introduce some greenery to your corner shelf to bring life and freshness to your display. You can use small potted plants, succulents, or even fresh flowers in vases to add a pop of color and natural beauty to your corner shelf.
Consider the lighting conditions in the corner of the room and choose plants that thrive in low light if necessary. Place the plants at different heights on the shelf to avoid a flat, one-dimensional look. If you’re using succulents and cacti, you can also place them in decorative containers or even on wooden dishes. This will add texture and depth to your shelf design.
7. Create Symmetry or Asymmetry
You can choose to create a symmetrical or asymmetrical display on your corner shelf, depending on your personal style and the overall look you want to achieve. For a symmetrical display, arrange items in pairs or groups with similar heights and sizes on each side of the shelf to create a balanced and harmonious look.
For an asymmetrical display, experiment with different item placements, heights, and sizes to create a more eclectic and dynamic look.
8. Add Personal Touches
Incorporate personal touches into your corner shelf display to make it unique and meaningful to you. This can include items such as family photos, sentimental objects, or souvenirs from travels that hold special memories. These personal touches will not only add a personal touch to your corner shelf but also make it a reflection of your personality and interests.
9. Rotate Items Seasonally
Consider rotating the items on your corner shelf seasonally to keep the display fresh and updated. You can switch out items based on the season, such as holiday-themed decorations, seasonal flowers, or items that reflect the changing colors and textures of nature.
This will allow you to continually update and refresh your corner shelf to match the changing seasons and keep it visually interesting. You can also incorporate seasonal colors into your decorations, such as reds and oranges in the fall and pastels in the spring.
10. Step Back and Edit
Once you have arranged all the items on your corner shelf, take a step back and evaluate the overall look. Make sure the display feels balanced, visually appealing, and reflects your desired theme or color scheme. If needed, make adjustments by rearranging items or adding or removing objects until you achieve the desired look.
Some Common Mistakes When Decorating a Corner Shelf
1. Establish a Theme:
Before starting your shelf decorating project, it is important to establish a theme. Pick items that you feel work well together and coordinate your shelf layout around them. Make sure the items you choose for the shelf make sense when placed together, and don’t forget to include items that are visually interesting and draw the eye.
2. Overcrowding:
When it comes to decorating a corner shelf, it is important to remember that less is more. Avoid overcrowding your shelf with too many items, as this can leave the shelf looking cluttered and disorganized. Choose only a few items that support your theme and work together, arranging them in such a way that complements the overall design of the room.
3. Not Considering Balance:
When decorating a corner shelf, it is important to consider balance and symmetry. Placing all of the heavier pieces on one side of the shelf or having several tall items clustered together can cause an imbalance and throw off the overall look of the space.
When arranging items on the shelves, make sure to create equal visual weight throughout with varying heights and sizes of pieces placed evenly along the shelf.
4. Ignoring Wall Space:
When decorating a corner shelf, it is important to remember to use all of the available wall space. If you are working with a large shelf, consider placing some items on the wall above it in order to create an eye-catching and cohesive look. This will draw attention to the shelf while also allowing you to showcase more of your favorite items.
5. Not Coordinating Colors:
When decorating a corner shelf, it is important to coordinate colors with the overall color palette of the room. Choose items that feature colors that complement one another and also fit within the existing color scheme of the space. This will help to create a cohesive look and ensure that your shelf looks polished and stylish.
Conclusion
Decorating a corner shelf is an easy and inexpensive way to add interest to your home. It also gives you an opportunity to be creative with your space and make it a reflection of your personal style. Whatever style you decide on, be sure to take your time, experiment with various ideas, and have fun while doing it.
After all, decorating should be a fun and fulfilling experience that allows you to express yourself. So if you’re feeling a bit stumped on how to decorate a corner shelf, look no further for great ideas! With these tips in mind, you can create the perfect spot for storage and style with ease.
