How can I make these shelves look better?

[munchkintrouble]

It's 3 shelves at the side of our fireplace. They aren't very deep-about 6 or 7 inches and not high either so I'm limited to what I can go fir but I've never been happy with the layout.

Any tips or ideas to make it flow a bit better?

@WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants that's basically where everything was to start with.

Ahhh I just need someone to come do it for me, I can't make it work it's just not flowing 🤦🏻‍♀️

Removing bunnies - nooooo

Trailing plants- nooooooo

...and for god sake don't remove the shelves...they're nice.

It’s lovely and calm but very matchy. It almost looks like it’s lifted out of a catalogue (not a criticism, one of my closest friends loves this look and actually does exactly that). But as you’re asking for advice I’d say books, a trailing plant and a bit of colour.

To me they are shelves of things you've bought especially to put on shelves, rather than things you love or that are 'yours'. You need a few more unusual/random things to liven them up. Stuff you already have elsewhere.

[quote munchkintrouble]@WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants that's basically where everything was to start with.

Ahhh I just need someone to come do it for me, I can't make it work it's just not flowing 🤦🏻‍♀️[/quote]
Not really

Give it a go.

I'd love to come & do it for you! Where are you?
🤣

I like them

I'd definitely add books and I'd make them look a little less staged and set up. A little too organised and staged.

Trailing plant on the top shelf and a family photo elsewhere.

(Though looking at my own shelves I'm wondering at my cheek trying to give you advice!)

I would get rid of all but the bottom one, prioritise the ‘objets’ you want, and use the wall space to put a collection of framed photos.

You can buy some books dirt cheap from charity shops. Some cathedral candles and your photo frames would do it. Like this.

Less items and more colour and variation.

I agree it's very staged and apart from the photos I'm not attached to anything, I don't even like the light but it's the only one I could find narrow enough to fit.

Maybe paint a different colour behind them to the rest of the room. X

I think that’s what is wrong with it, it looks staged. Like you bought all white items to go on there. I think that’s why it doesn’t work.

Put some actual useful stuff on the shelves!

Look at Shelfies on Instagram too

This is a good rough guide

A lovely trailing plant like Devil's Ivy to the left of the top shelf would look good. I think you need to thin a few things out. Get shot of the vase. Change the photo frames for others that are not so matchy. All the white and silver will make it look bland, no matter how you arrange the items.

All too white and shiny and porcelain. Ok if you like that though.

Try more texture and colour. Buy things you love, that make you light up. Pandering to fashion does not make for an individual style. You can follow fashions but still choose with care. (Maybe you only like white shiny porcelain though :))

Textures: wool, woven, knitted, wood, wicker, dull metal, shiny metal, tin, plastic, paper, canvas, glass, tile, ceramic, china, brick, pottery, earthenware, mosaic, books, bark, cork. Shiny, matt, dull, absorbent, reflective.

"Do not have anything in your home that you do not believe to be beautiful or know to be useful"

Looks like you've just brought all the tat from home bargains.

Do you use anything on the shelves? If not they are always going to look phoney and out of place.

And are they fake plants? Always going to look cheap too!

Bit rude @Wester !

Thanks for the other comments though, I'm going to give it another go tomorrow

I think @munchkintrouble you should just move the things around that are squashed and then leave it for now. Wait and find things for it that you love and can be added to it as and when you find them. You will get them there in time! I mean, I do think books would sort his in a heartbeat but if books aren't for you then they aren't for you!

Definitely books, a trailing plant. I think a large framed print on the top shelf with a smaller one placed in front of it would look good

It’s a texture thing I think.

I like the orchid there, it gives it height. I would remove the rabbits.

Add a nice basket or bowl as storage for bits you need in that room. In wood or wicker.

The shelves should be storage for things you need storage for, not just fillers.

We have similar items on our shelves like plants, candle, vase, photo frames. But also things that I like but use often, like an old wooden nutcracker dish and two different small wooden chests ( one has stationary in, one sewing box).

Edit out the ornaments and put in books for colour or the photos and plants could work alone. It's about creating a moment that is personalised and meaningful to you. Sorry for the use of moment .