Create an interesting backdrop

I am always at my most inspired when a project includes a set of shelves for me to dress. Shelving offers a perfect opportunity to tell a visual story within a space, layering objects, textures, and colour in a way that feels both intentional and expressive.

One of my favourite techniques is to treat the back of the shelves as a design feature in its own right. Rather than leaving them plain, I often introduce a beautiful wallpaper to create a striking backdrop. This instantly elevates even the simplest shelving into something considered and bespoke.

On a few projects, I’ve used patterned or textured wallpapers that bring real personality to the space—sometimes bold and graphic, other times soft and atmospheric. Recently, I’ve been particularly drawn to biophilic designs, which help bring the outside in. These nature-inspired patterns—whether leafy prints, botanical illustrations, or subtle organic textures—add depth and a calming quality that works beautifully behind styled shelves.

Incorporate Plants

No shelf styling feels complete to me without the addition of greenery. Plants bring life, movement, and softness to what can otherwise feel like rigid, structured shelving.

Trailing plants are especially effective. Whether real or high-quality artificial, they introduce a sense of flow as they cascade down the edges of shelves or weave between objects. This vertical movement helps break up hard lines and adds a more natural, relaxed feel to the overall composition.

Smaller potted plants, succulents, or dried botanicals can also be used to add variety in height and texture. The key is to treat them as part of the overall arrangement rather than an afterthought—balancing them with books, ceramics, and decorative objects to create a cohesive display.

Compliment Your Design Scheme

Successful shelf styling should always feel connected to the wider room rather than existing in isolation. One of the simplest ways to achieve this is by working within the same colour palette used throughout your interior scheme.

Repeating key colours from walls, furniture, and textiles helps to visually tie everything together. This doesn’t mean everything needs to match exactly, but rather that there is a consistent thread running through the space. For example, if your room features warm neutrals, earthy greens, or muted blues, echoing these tones in your shelf décor will create harmony and balance.

You can also use shelving as an opportunity to introduce subtle variations within your palette—slightly deeper shades, softer tints, or contrasting accents that still feel related. This layered approach adds interest without disrupting the overall cohesion of the design.

m in my element when a project has a set of shelves for me to dress. On a couple of projects I have found some beautiful wallpaper to create a real feature of the shelves.
You will notice a bit of a biophilic theme (bringing the outside inside) in my choice of wallpapers.

Grouping Objects in Odd Numbers and Varying Heights

One of the most effective styling principles I return to again and again is the idea of grouping objects in odd numbers. Arrangements of three, five, or seven pieces tend to feel more natural and visually engaging than even-numbered groupings, which can sometimes appear too symmetrical or static.

Odd groupings create a sense of rhythm and movement. They guide the eye across a shelf display rather than allowing it to settle too quickly on a perfectly balanced pair. This subtle imbalance is what gives a composition its energy and makes it feel more curated and less staged.

Equally important is varying the height of the objects within these groupings. Mixing tall, medium, and low pieces helps to build a layered, architectural feel. For example, a tall vase might sit beside a stack of books and a smaller sculptural object, creating a natural visual triangle. This variation prevents the display from feeling flat and encourages depth, even within a shallow shelf space.

I often think of each grouping as a mini composition within the larger shelving scheme. When you combine odd-numbered groupings with thoughtful height variation, the result is a display that feels effortless, balanced, and quietly dynamic—where every object has space to breathe, yet still contributes to the overall story of the room.