Styling Shelves

Lexi Parker
Oct 17, 2024
1 min read

Updated: Oct 28

Open shelving can be both functional and beautiful. It's an opportunity to bring personality into a room while adding storage space. Whether you’re showcasing a favorite collection, travel souvenirs, or family heirlooms, open shelves should tell your story.

At Lex & Hudson, we approach shelf styling with a designer’s eye for movement and balance. We think about how your gaze travels across the shelves, and how color, shape, and proportion work together to create harmony. Every vignette should feel effortless yet intentional.

One of our favorite design principles is negative space, the art of letting objects breathe. A little openness between items helps each piece stand out and keeps the shelves from feeling crowded.

Curated walnut wall shelving styled by Lex & Hudson, featuring sculptural ceramics, art books, and collected objects. Set against soft neutral walls and paired with a textured mint green chair, the vignette highlights balance, craftsmanship, and modern layered design. — *Project: Windsor Terrace*

We also recommend varying heights and textures of pieces to add rhythm and visual interest. Tall vases beside shorter bowls, smooth ceramics beside woven baskets; the contrast makes it dynamic.

Built-in walnut shelving designed by Lex & Hudson featuring a mirrored backsplash, curated spirits, and vintage glassware. Deep navy and plum tones create a dramatic backdrop that balances warmth, craftsmanship, and modern sophistication. — *Project: Carroll Gardens*

When it comes to color, we like to mirror tones on diagonal planes, so the eye naturally flows across the arrangement rather than stopping in one spot.