Open shelving is a versatile and stylish way to add both functionality and character to your space. While these shelves are often used to display books, plants, or decorative objects, incorporating wall art into your open shelving design can elevate its appeal and make a striking statement. Selecting and styling wall art for shelves involves a mix of creativity, practicality, and design know-how. Here’s how to do it right.
Why Include Wall Art on Open Shelves?
Wall art prints add depth, texture, and a personal touch to open shelving displays. Unlike other decor items, art pieces can reflect your personality and tie the entire look together. Whether it’s a small print leaning against the wall or a bold piece acting as the centerpiece, wall art provides a dynamic layer to your shelving arrangement.
Choosing the Right Wall Art for Shelves
When selecting wall art for your shelves, it’s essential to consider scale, style, and color. Here are some tips to guide your choices:
- Size and Proportion: Choose pieces that complement the dimensions of your shelves. Small shelves benefit from compact prints, while larger shelves can accommodate bigger or multiple pieces.
- Color Coordination: Select wall art that echoes the colors of other items on the shelves or within the room. A cohesive palette creates a harmonious and polished look.
- Personalized Wall Art: Incorporate custom prints, such as family photos or meaningful quotes, to make the display uniquely yours.
- Mix of Textures: Consider incorporating canvas prints, framed artwork, or even unframed sketches to add variety and interest.
Placement Tips for Art on Open Shelving
How you position wall art on shelves significantly impacts the overall aesthetic. Here are some placement strategies:
- Leaning Art Against the Wall: A relaxed and casual approach, leaning a piece of art against the back of the shelf adds depth and creates a layered effect. This is especially effective for open-backed shelving.
- Centering Art as a Focal Point: Place a striking piece of art in the center of a shelf, surrounded by smaller decorative items, to draw attention and anchor the display.
- Layering Pieces: Combine different sizes of wall art and overlap them slightly. This creates a dynamic and curated look that feels natural yet intentional.
- Group Art with Objects: Pair wall art with complementary items, such as vases, books, or plants. This enhances the overall composition and makes the display more cohesive.
Styling with Wall Prints
Wall prints are a fantastic choice for open shelving due to their versatility and variety. Here’s how to style them effectively:
- Abstract Prints for Modern Shelves: Add bold abstract art to minimalist shelves for a contemporary vibe. These prints can act as statement pieces while maintaining a sleek aesthetic.
- Botanical Prints for a Natural Look: Combine botanical-themed art with greenery to create a fresh, organic feel. This is perfect for spaces with lots of natural light.
- Black-and-White Prints for Timeless Appeal: Black-and-white wall prints pair beautifully with almost any decor style, offering a classic and elegant touch.
- Seasonal Swaps: Update your wall art periodically to reflect the changing seasons or your evolving style. This keeps your shelves looking fresh and interesting.
Enhancing Your Display
Here are additional tips to make your open shelving display stand out:
- Lighting Matters: Install lighting, such as LED strips or spotlights, to highlight your wall art and add warmth to the shelves.
- Balance and Symmetry: Distribute art and decor items evenly across the shelves to avoid a cluttered or lopsided look.
- Use Negative Space: Leave some areas of the shelves empty to let the art and decor breathe. Overcrowding can diminish the visual impact.
- Rotating Pieces: Regularly update your wall art and decor items to keep your shelving display dynamic and reflective of your current tastes.
Wall art is an excellent addition to open shelving, offering a unique way to express your personality and elevate your decor. By carefully choosing, placing, and styling art pieces, you can create a visually captivating display that serves as both functional storage and a statement feature in your home. Whether you prefer bold, colorful prints or understated, elegant designs, there are endless possibilities to make your open shelving truly shine.
There are different options for drawings and prints for walls, and you can also look at different shops for art materials, plasticine, watercolors. With these materials you can draw on clothes and make different personalized t-shirts.
