From the floating to the freestanding, the room dividing to the flush-against-the-wall, despite their light framework and generally slimline designs, shelving systems and bookcases are hugely impactful pieces of furniture, well worth putting some time and thought into.

Modern homes have become less about pure good looks and more about the art of telling stories and creating personal narratives – now’s the time to gather the objects that mean the most to you and put them where you can feel their positivity every day. New shelves are a great opportunity to browse the house and compose a new collection combining the items you find within.

Melding different textures and materials on the shelf top, from paper to ceramics, wood, glass and metal, adds a pleasing element of contrast to a space – either place objects on the shelves that juxtapose each other to create interest, or have the whole shelving system differing from the room itself for larger impact and to make the shelf a standout design feature. Texture – the more tactile the better – also brings a warm and cosy feel, and placing high contrast surfaces side by side (say, a high gloss finish next to a rough ceramic) ups visual appeal and intrigue.

Using shelving with built-in lighting, or including a free-standing light on a shelf has many more pros other than simply increasing visibility. Lighting adds depth and dimension, cultivating visual interest while emphasizing the three-dimensional nature of the structure. As well as creating ambiance – warm tones equal cosiness, cool coloured bulbs are energetic. Lights can also draw focus to certain pieces so they stand out, and make collections looks even more impressive – and when turned off, built-in lighting becomes invisible while lamps become beautiful sculptures.

When putting your shelving arrangement together, it’s important to bear balance and proportion in mind – carefully considering the layout and placement of items will make it easier for your collection to harmonise. For a modern, diverse feel, play with scale and emphasize variety (rather than grouping similar styles together), varying the heights, sizes, shapes and materials on each level and across the width of every shelf – aim for casual asymmetry. Generally, larger objects are happiest on the lower section of the shelves, with the lighter and smaller pieces up top – but don’t be afraid to break this rule every now and then for a freer and more contemporary aesthetic

A sparsely populated shelf speaks of curation and confidence, and decorating with a small number of favourite objects turns all the attention to them as refined focal points. While it’s tempting to fill a shelf with beloved items (or unconsciously add to the collection here and there), going for a reduced, minimalist selection lets each piece standout and shine, turning the shelves into a chic, composed selection. Each object has enough space to breathe, and becomes more meaningful and respected by the room afforded to it.

When are shelves not shelves? When they’re a mini, in-house, private art gallery. Shelving is the place for creative collections – from paintings, prints and photography to sculptures and beautiful, beguiling objets, shelving offers the opportunity for organised, easy curation and display. An art-filled shelf not only prompts meaningful conversations, but is an outlet for self-expression, the display reflecting your personal style, individuality and making the space truly unique – and bringing a daily dose of delight.

Shelving is the ideal space to showcase who you are through the objects that narrate your life. As well as visibly sharing your story, personality, interests and experiences with visitors, placing personal mementoes on show has a deeper effect too; being surrounded by memories evokes nostalgia and positive emotions, creating an ambiance that’s emotionally rich, uplifting and positive. Sentimental items are reminders of experiences, people and achievements – keeping them visible preserves those memories, fostering a home environment that feels warm and that you’re strongly connected to.

We all get a little bored with our decor, and shelving’s inherent flexibility means that it’s as easy as lifting-up and placing-down to refresh a wall and the atmosphere of the whole room. Objects can be rotated, swapped out or updated in an instant. Taste changed? New season? Things getting cluttered? It’s no problem on the shelf, the controlled spacing so naturally lending itself to neatness and organisation. Having an ever-evolving collection on show keeps the display dynamic, unexpected and endlessly appealing, keeps the space fresh and aligning the area with who you are and how you want to express yourself.

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