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How to decorate a Spanish wall with open shelves. Do-it-yourself shelves on the wall: we make a shelf on the wall with step-by-step instructions. Stylish book sorting

Transform an ordinary bookcase or wall shelves into a stunning display case to showcase your favorite decor. Offer 15 useful tips from interior designers:

1. Exhibition of decor collection

Perhaps you collect small sculptures, sea shells, souvenirs from different parts of the world, etc., so why not give them a place of honor? Organize your décor collection on your bookshelves and enjoy the enticing effect of different sizes, shapes and shades of décor and books playing with each other.

2. Hobbies come first

Why don't you tell your guests about your hobbies, interests or hobbies? Or rather, not demonstrate it with the help of decor? Put the things closest to you in spirit to the fore!

3. Decor Grouping

One of my favorite design tricks! Decorate your closet or wall shelves by grouping items by theme, color, shape, texture or material to get the most bang for your buck. For example, a group of white and matte décor will look amazing on dark wood or brightly colored shelves, while décor with colorful patterns can beautifully enliven calm light walls and furniture.

4. Functional decor

Functional decor always brings more joy than just pretty trifles. Why don't you turn open wall shelves into a stylish bar, for example? Notice how beautiful glass bottles and glasses are combined with various metal details.

5. Large sizes

A group or collection of small decor can certainly look very interesting, but at the same time it will collect a lot of dust and complicate the cleaning process. Therefore, sometimes, instead of a lot of fun little things, it is better to choose large, bold accessories that are easier to care for. Tall vases, potted flowers, gift volumes of books, photo frames and artwork - choose anything that strikes your fancy and that you can see from across the room. You can also give more visual presence to various small items, for which they need to be collected in open or transparent containers, such as vases, jars or wicker baskets, etc.

6. Asymmetry in decor

Instead of creating a mirror image of objects on the shelves, try decorating the shelves with an odd number of objects and without establishing a visual center. This will help to add a subtle element of surprise to the interior, while instead of symmetry, you can enjoy the perfect balance. For example, even if you have two similar or identical framed vases or paintings, it is best to place them diagonally from each other, and not at the same level, as would be more logical.

7. Shelf lighting

Shelf lighting is the perfect finishing touch to cleverly highlight all the beauty you put there. There are endless ways to illuminate shelves and cabinets today: built-in lights, candles, LED strip, ultraviolet, garlands, sconces, etc. Choose the option that best matches the design of your room.

8. Games with different sizes

Designers in no case recommend building a diverse decor in height. Instead, it's best to gently blend the different heights, juxtaposing tall and low items against each other, and letting your eyes travel with interest along each shelf. When choosing decor, make sure you have enough mid-height objects that will smooth out the contrast between the tallest and lowest items.

9. Books as coasters

Using one or more books as a coaster is a simple and very effective trick for highlighting the most interesting, but not the largest, elements of the decor. Moreover, books not only draw attention to the decorations standing on them, but also give a beautiful relief to the entire decor composition as a whole.

10. More shine

Glass, crystal, mirrors and silver objects make the wall shelves literally shine with beauty! Use them on open shelves, either as a set or paired with rough textured objects like antique wood, wickerwork, and more.

11. Different layers of decor

Different layers of decor will give your shelves a special depth and will make your guests linger with their eyes, discovering more and more new and interesting things. To do this, place beautiful pallets, plates and paintings in the background so that they can act as a sophisticated backdrop for medium and small decorative elements.

12. Minimalist shelf decoration

While multiple layers of accessories work well in traditional and eclectic rooms, minimalist décor is more befitting. modern design interiors. Place several large objects on the shelves, each of which will attract attention with its sophistication, and not together - with a large number.

13. Distribution of decor by color

If you have a large collection of books, videos, or any other decor, then you might like the idea of ​​organizing them by color. The iridescent look of a bookcase or shelves is quite impressive!

14. Stylish book sorting

Arranging separate sets of books vertically and horizontally, grouping them by cover style, color or thickness, will not only create a more organized look, but also give a special, cozy and romantic style to your bookcase as a whole.

15. Decorating the top of a cabinet or shelving unit

Don't forget to decorate the top of your shelving unit or bookcase accordingly, unless it reaches all the way to the ceiling, of course. Proper placement of objects on the top shelf can help make tall walls stand out or simply provide a nice transition. For example, if there is a sufficiently large distance between the shelves and the ceiling, then it will serve you perfectly for displaying large artworks and tall vases.

15 ideas for decorating shelves and bookcases updated: December 10, 2014 by: Margarita Glushko

Shelves are not only convenient and practical, but also aesthetically pleasing, because with the help of these simple structures and their filling, you can completely transform the room space. Most often, hinged and corner shelves, racks and sections built into furniture are found in the living room, where they harmoniously and effectively fit into the overall design.

Design options

The time of standard places to store books and small knickknacks is long gone, and now designers are introducing dozens of options for using shelves in the interior of the living room. Several groups can be distinguished:

  • Standard shelves of various sizes and configurations;
  • Partition shelves;
  • High open options or "slides";
  • Curly modules;
  • "Floating" or built-in models;
  • Shelves built under furniture: armchairs, sofas;
  • Corner structures;
  • Arched compositions;
  • original products handmade.

Classic hanging shelves in the living room are a familiar product made of fastened boards or lattice-like panels.

For zoning the interior space in studio apartments, partitions are used, made in the form of shelving in the entire height of the wall.


"Slides" differ from fences in the presence of uneven edges or steps, due to which an unusual design is given.

Multi-colored modules suggest a kind of constructor game, when whole compositions are assembled from squares, rectangles or triangles. Their main advantages: mobility, non-standard and fast assembly, disassembly.

Built-in and corner shelves are made to order and use "dead" room areas: wall joints, narrow niches and openings.

An interesting solution could be furniture, the armrests and the base of which can be allocated for open sections to accommodate various items.

Arched compositions are often included in original products, as they are made in the form of a U-shaped shelf above a sofa, armchair or TV. Like other handmade models, they are non-standard, unusual and unique.

How to choose

In some cases, shelves come with a wardrobe, TV stand or dressing table, united by a common style and color.

If you decide to complement an existing interior, then you need to act according to a similar principle - look for the most suitable model in terms of style, texture, color and shape.

Separately, the weight and strength of the shelf is taken into account, which is selected depending on the intended content. Unusually shaped glass or plasterboard products are chosen for light loads, but thick wooden sections with a separation depth of at least 50 cm and a wall thickness of at least 5 cm are needed to store heavy books or valuable vases. The configuration is also significant: spiral, rounded models for light accessories only .


In addition to the maximum weight, attention is paid to the reliability of the fasteners, the strength of the material, and the stability of the structure. It is also important to carefully inspect the purchase, as the coating should not have chips, scratches, scuffs or other defects.

Playing in the interior

Even an ordinary square shelf can become a full-fledged "highlight" in the interior, for this it is enough to beat it, showing imagination and ingenuity. So, the trend of this season is the uneven placement of simple square structures on the wall. various shades and configurations.

The distance between them can vary from 20 cm to opposite ends of the room. It is important that the number of such modules be more than three or four.

The following technique is also popular: painting the deep walls of the adjacent rack compartments in bright contrasting colors. Mirrors inserted instead of backdrops also look luxurious.

Modern shelves are made in the most unusual configurations: specially curved, spiral, figured and disproportionate products.

Designers often use the technique of visually expanding space by purposefully leaving some sections empty. A free shelf, illuminated by a built-in lamp or a framed LED wire, also looks interesting.

Original self-made shelves are always in fashion, while the artificial aging of the material, negligence, massiveness and carelessness give them charm and originality.


You can also decorate the product yourself, which will require leather or leatherette, metal elements, textiles, paper, stencil, tree branches or log cabins, paints, brushes, glue.

The first step is to think over the algorithm on paper, look at photos of the shelves designed by designers for the living room, look for ideas on the Internet, prepare the surface and get down to business.

When choosing any, even the most modest shelf in size, it is necessary to take into account certain points:

  • For classic and minimalist styles, the best are simple designs correct shape and neutral shades;
  • Instead of a standard TV cabinet shelf, you can make more original design: in parallel, place two boards under the panel at a distance of 20-30 cm, and put two more short ones on both sides;
  • If a door or window opening occupies a large part of the wall, then around it you can make, order a U-shaped or L-shaped rack;
  • You can separate one zone in a room from another using a high vertical or figured shelf;
  • It is better to choose an alternation of open and closed sections in order to have storage spaces hidden from prying eyes;
  • Two parallel boards look beautiful on the wall, located side by side, but only 20-30 cm “setting” on top of each other;
  • Universal color - white, cream and woody light brown shades.

Rarely does a living room design do without a separate shelf or a whole shelving complex. Initially intended to store the little things necessary in life, they began to perform an aesthetic function.


The modern market offers hundreds of various options in terms of configuration, body material and color shade, among which it is easy to choose the most suitable model for the existing interior. Or, inspired by ideas, make a shelf yourself.

Photo of shelves in the living room

Shelves are often used not only to complement and decorate the overall interior of the room, but also for a clearer and more expedient organization of space. Thanks to their use, the owner of the apartment gets the opportunity to conveniently arrange a huge number of small things that are simply lost in the cabinets.

There are many on the market today various models which are made from different materials. They also differ in design.

You can choose not only products with classic design but also ultra-modern designs.

But more and more people prefer to make such interior details on their own. Asking how to make a shelf with their own hands, they re-read a lot of literature and look through a lot of catalogs.

However, this does not mean that independent production shelves are complex and beyond the power of a person who does not have special skills. No, this is absolutely not true.

Familiarization with the literature in this case is necessary in order to create a product with beautiful design that will fit into the overall interior. Let's consider in more detail what shelves are.

Types of shelves

Any specialist will tell you that before you start creating a product, you need to decide for yourself what kind of design you want to get and whether it will be combined with the interior. And only after that you can start creating the product.

Indeed, for a house decorated in a classically seasoned style, it is completely unacceptable to use trendy and modern shelves. They will look extremely awkward.

The most popular and widely known subspecies of shelves is the classic shelf. This is due to the fact that it is quite simple to install, and appearance, due to its simplicity, it seems refined and sophisticated.

Used with success and open, closed shelves. Closed products are used most often for decoration and installation in rooms decorated in more modern styles. Glass and sometimes plastic are used for their construction.

Open structures can be used both in modernly designed houses and in apartments with a classic design. Over the past few years, this particular type of shelf has gained immense popularity and therefore is gradually replacing the classic options.

In small rooms, you can often see corner shelves that have a special way of fastening. They are mounted on adjacent walls that are adjacent to each other. Most often they are used in bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms.

In addition to the above types of shelves that are mounted on the wall, there are suspended and floor structures. Hanging shelves are mounted in an unusual way.

They are installed using cables and vertical racks, and are attached directly to the ceiling. This mount looks quite unusual and original.

Floor structures are most often used in hallways. After all, do-it-yourself outdoor shoe racks not only look beautiful, but also help you organize the space of a small hallway. It is quite easy to make them though.

How to make a simple shelf

To create the claimed product, you should purchase or prepare some tools and materials in advance. As connecting elements, you can use whatever suits you best. But the most popular are ordinary screws, brackets and dowels.

Note!

For example, take a photo of the shelves with your own hands, which is presented below. It depicts a product with the following parameters: width 250 mm, height 300 mm, length 1100 mm. The manufacturing process for convenience will be divided into stages.

Stages of work

At the first stage, you need to markup. To do this, you should lay the boards on a table or any other flat surface and transfer the measurements from the drawings. The side walls must have a height of exactly 268 mm.

This marking is optimal because the side walls will be located between the two parts.

At the second stage, it is required to cut the boards. To get even and neat cuts, you need to use an electric jigsaw. After cutting, you will get 2 fairly long blanks and 2 shorter ones.

At the third stage, you can start processing the received blanks. The resulting segments should be covered with a special protective varnish or stain, after sanding them.

Note!

In the event that you plan only to paint the shelf, you can get by with a conventional antiseptic primer. So you will increase not only the service life, but also achieve a more even distribution of paint.

At the fourth stage of making a wooden shelf with your own hands, you proceed to its direct assembly. The bottom board should be laid on a flat surface. Step back 8 mm from the ends of the workpiece and draw two lines parallel to the cuts.

They should mark 2 points with a distance of 5 cm from the edge. At the marked points, it is necessary to drill holes for self-tapping screws. With the second workpiece it is necessary to do the same manipulations.

After that, you should install the side blanks on the bottom of the board and secure them. Once you're done attaching the side panels, move on to installing the top panel and securing it.

At the fifth stage, you should fix the brackets on the ends of the side panels, and make several holes for the dowels in the wall. After that, screw in the screws so that they protrude by 5 mm. And now your shelf is ready.

You can make acoustic shelves in the same way, but you need to take into account the dimensions of the equipment itself. Measurements should be taken carefully, because if you make a mistake, the work will have to start over.

Note!

DIY shelves photo

In this world, there are two main types of shelving: the first is used to actually store things, and the second is purely for aesthetic purposes. Usually the same mistakes prevent people from leveling the situation and achieving an ideal result. In this article we will talk about them - and then you will be able to combine functionality and beauty on the shelves of the rack.

Mistake #1: Books don't have a system

Books arranged according to some principle, and not placed randomly, will streamline the rack and become a good basis for decorating. You can arrange the books by color and size, turn the spines inside the shelves, or dress them in covers for stylistic unity. If the shelves contain an up-to-date library, then add clear navigation: sort books by topic or author.

Mistake #2: Library overload

It is unlikely that your goal is to shove as many books as possible into your rack by any means. We understand that you love paper products with all your heart, but this is no reason to look at the rack and pray that these fragile shelves do not suddenly collapse from an unbearable burden. Even if they hold up, the visual noise from such shelving can make an entire room disharmonious. Sort books and put away in closed storage places (or donate to the library) everything that you are unlikely to need in the near future. Send unaesthetic looking books there. Let your bookshelves intersperse graceful stacks of books with art, vases and memorabilia.

Mistake #3: Hoarding

If for years you, without hesitation, put on the shelves all the souvenirs brought from vacation (as a keepsake), children's creativity (does it still matter to them?), Grandma's crystal (well, don't throw it away ?!) and glass figurines of dolphins (I remember them from childhood!), then it's time to take a critical look at this entire collection. Unload the shelves as much as possible, leaving only what you really enjoy looking at. Nowhere to put away unnecessary? Buy some beautiful boxes or baskets: they look great on the shelf, hold more than you can fit on the shelf plane, and make cleanup a lot easier.

Mistake #4: Small Scale

The large items on the shelving serve as a visual anchor and provide the necessary variety of scale, saving your eyes from overload. Decorating the rack, start with the largest books and art objects. Little things will then make it easier to balance the composition.

Mistake #5: Not keeping the markup in mind

A very useful decorating technique: imagine that your shelving is divided into sections with a grid layout. Fill in each section separately, alternating books with decor. Books can be placed or stacked, decorating the top with a cute item. Alternate sections with decor too: one large object or several small ones, but different in height or placed on a common tray.

Mistake #6: Forgetting to leave "air"

As in photography, you need to leave free space so that the eye rests between visual stimuli, so you need to make spaces between objects in the rack. Fill some sections more densely, and leave others almost empty to achieve harmony.

Mistake #7: Not using trays

Trays are a great thing, and not only in the decor of shelving. Everything looks better and more organized when placed on a tray or in similar containers. Does your shelving have a minibar section? Show it off more effectively with a tray. Various stationery can be stored in cups, again, placed on a tray.

Mistake #8: Don't break the rules

When you know what rules to follow in decorating the shelving, and what to avoid, it's time to experiment. And yes, sometimes you still need to break the rules - this is how truly unique ideas are born.

Based on materials from mydomaine.com, photos: shiragill.com, mydomaine.com, pinterest.com

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