Anna Quindlen said, “I would be the most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consist of mostly building enough bookshelves.”
Although I love books, read every day and collect various works, book shelves aren’t just for holding books. In fact built-in or free standing shelving can solve all sorts of display and storage issues.
An old store shelving unit is perfect for display
The patina of worn paint gives the piece character
It even has wheels in case I need to move it.
It took me a lot of hunting to find the right shelf to fill an empty corner in my family room. Fortunately I’m very patient when it comes to furniture. I would rather do without than to settle for something I don’t love. This white shelving unit probably came from a store of some sort. It’s sturdy, has wheels and with just enough chipped paint to give it some charm. The size is perfect for my empty space.
Displaying collections can be a challenge. Remember the rule that things have a greater impact when grouped together instead of spread around the room. So, throughout the year I will re-do my shelf to give you tips and ideas on how to display your own collections.
I had not idea I had this many wood boxes!
The simplest display is to group like items. I didn’t start out collecting wood boxes, but when I pulled them all together, I realized I had enough to show-off. I rearranged and played around with them until I found an arrangement that looked good.
- I placed the heavier trunk on the bottom. Had I put it on the top shelf, the whole unit would have felt top-heavy.
Put the heavier items on the bottom shelves
- Stagger pieces; pull some forward and others behind. Overlapping items gives depth and dimension.
Stagger the boxes for depth and dimension.
- Pay attention to height. None of the items should be the same height on a shelf. Stack them up to create height or use risers (like books!). I placed the painted box on its side so the design is visible.
Separately, each box has its own shape, color and texture, but together they tell a story. The collection makes an impact.
The shelf becomes a focal point with a single collection.
I can't pass up cute little doll house chairs.
I also have some miniature chairs. Anything this tiny is much more difficult to display. They would get lost if I set them on a shelf all alone. But when paired with a couple of boxes, they stand out.
Use the same display principles for the chairs.
Pair of traditional dining chairs in miniature
Even little items have a big impact when grouped together
Voila! In no time I created an interesting display.
Go hunting in your own house. You might be amazed at what you’ll find.
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