Shelving should fit in your space and lifestyle. Here are some ideas to help you better utilize the available wall-hung, freestanding, and modular shelves.

Fashion wall-to-wall shelving

Simply flush three open shelf units to the wall to get look of a built-in storage that doesn’t rule the room – and needs no effort.

How to choose the right unit

Leave a gap of 3-5cm above the books to facilitate their retrieval.

For ease of use, limit the height of units to 21cm keeping the top shelf at 180 cm.
Shelves should be 30cm wide to accommodate bigger books and 20cm for paperbacks, CDs and DVDs. Keep a gap of 25cm to 30cm between each shelf. Hardback books being heavier would need sturdy shelves, though lightweight items like magazines or paperbacks may be housed in slim shelves.

Stylist’s tip

Light-colored wall provide a contrast to dark shelving. Offer a backdrop for ornaments. Divide the room and add space for everything. Make use of freestanding shelves to partition the living area from the dining area. You get additional storage that can be accessed from either side.

How to style your shelving

Flaunt objects in between books -that lightens the overall feel.
Present a neat look by slipping away small items to storage boxes.
Organize books by size – visually it’s pleasing to have large ones at the bottom in deeper shelves.
Have wallpaper at the back in case of closed-back bookshelves to give a personal touch.
Keep extra-large books horizontally, that reduces the stress on their spines.
Keep display items on eye-level shelves

Light-colored shelves partition without being too dominant; go for a darker unit to get better impact. Fashion a focal point by grouping flowers in the middle of the unit – mix and match vases of different shapes and sizes for an eye-catching effect.
Let box shelves form an important point. Paint box shelves to match the color of your wall and hang them above your desk, you won’t require bookends again.

Stylist’s tip

To customize your shelving, line the backs of the cubbyholes with bold-print wallpaper
You can almost double the capacity of your shelves simply by raising the level of books in the back row by inserting a piece of wood beneath them.

Stylist’s tip

Painting of floating shelves in the color of the desk below gives a mod look to the dresser

Keep your items out of sight, behind sliding panels.
Have dramatic but economical sliding fabric panels that’ll look incredible drawn across alcoves. Give IKEA a chance for the tracks and fixings.

Stylist’s tip

Coordinate the fabric on the panels with the wallpaper on the chimneybreast to give the impression of a feature wall
Renovate plain shelves into a bespoke bookcase
Give your shelving a tailored look – and camouflage fittings – by fixing skirting board with the same finish around the front edges

Stylist’s tip

A strip light over the ornaments draws interest to the display area and generates mood lighting

Go for modular storage that can expand with your growing needs over the years.
Incorporate drawer inserts to hide clutter

Stylist’s tip

Laid back on their sides and provided with a seat pad, the modular units create a handy window seat plus storage