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?

They would definitely look further spaced further apart up the wall. A clearance of 50cm minimum. A designer would space them on the wall at precise intervals in relation to the floor and ceiling. For example, 1m off floor, then 50cm above that, then 50cm above that.

Largest item in the middle on each shelf, with smaller ones tucked in close either side, one pulled forwards, one slightly back.

Always display an odd numbers of items.

Mother is a window dresser - I have been conditioned from birth 😂

I think the real issue apart from the photos is it’s too impersonal it looks like it's been bought all at the same time to match almost too much if that makes sense. A display for a catalogue. I have a little display type shelf unit on the wall and it has stuff like a glass tea light holder my friend bought me in Lindisfarne and stuff that is personal to me bought or received over many years.

I think the point that wester was making, and many others, is it doesn’t matter how you organise it, it’s the stuff itself that’s the issue

If you’re going to use bookshelves as a dated “display space”, then you need to display useful or treasured stuff.

Stuff like you’re displaying, is great in very small numbers occasionally dotted about your home, there’s nothing wrong with next/matalan/tk max/B&m stuff, but you’ve got it all matchy matchy and displaying it like it’s some sort of treasured feature.

Which it’s not, as you yourself said, hence why it’s the stuff, not how it’s lined up.

Its nice just a bit matchy matchy and could easily be a page out of Next Directory. You need a splash of colour or texture and different sizes to make it more interesting, personal and less like a shop display.

They don't look like things you bought because you like them- they look like things bought to fill up the shelves. I would add in some photos perhaps or a framed piece of atprtwork by one of your children/something wonky they've made

I've looked again and I can see you've actually got photos already- sorry I hadn't noticed but I think that's part of the problem- the personal items should be the focus with one or two other items to compliment them

What about this.. I think the middle shelf is better now but still need to tweak the others. I don't like the lamp but need a narrow lamp to fit in, most with shades are too deep

I love your shelfs op they are beautiful!

I would agree with the pp's that said books, whenever I'm decorating my sitting room my goal is always to make it feel like a room thats so relaxing that as soon as someone walks in they want to settle down cozy up and fall asleep - and I find books just give it that relaxing, laid back, homely feel. Also colourful things and artwork. If you dont 'love it' don't put it on. Hth

I think that is the best look yet and would keep them like that for now. You can then slowly add the personal pieces as you find them which I think would give you the look you want, but will take time.

Can't really see your lamp properly but some like this might work

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-devon-table-lamp/white/p673168

That's such an improvement! I'd still suggest a trailing plant, but it looks so much better.

When in doubt add more plants. Some in glass vases, trailing, air plants.

@SwedishEdith That's basically the same lamp
But in silver!

I'm definitely happier with it, not 100% yet but it's a huge improvement for me.

[quote munchkintrouble]@SwedishEdith That's basically the same lamp
But in silver!

I'm definitely happier with it, not 100% yet but it's a huge improvement for me. [/quote]
Oh. Ah!

I can see why you’re not happy with the vibe! The space has potential.

Would you consider painting the shelves white?

If not, I don’t think the white aesthetic is working with the styles of items you have - the decor items are quite thick/chunky/textured/“busy” etc. If you’re going for white, it should be more simple and modern items, with cleaner lines. Unless any of the items are sentimental, I would just put them in storage (sorry!). The heart lantern and rabbit statue would look better in the garden.

One thing you’re missing are plants. More would look nicer. All your vases are really busy too, simple white vases would look better and more harmonious.

These are cheap and basic but would uplift the area

with a bunch of these on the top shelf?

A nice candle would look great too.

The M&S light up candles are really popular