Wall shelves are one of the simplest and at the same time common items in the interior. They still do not lose their relevance, it’s just that the shapes have become more complex and intricate, and the colors are bright and unusual.
Wall shelves can be made of various materials; they can be divided into:
- Glass;
- Metal;
- Wooden;
- Shelves made of plasterboard, MDF, chipboard;
- Combined products from 2 or more materials.
According to the type of placement in the interior, shelves are:
- Wall-mounted - they are attached to the wall, most often placed above a large piece of furniture (bed, table, sofa, etc.);
- Suspended - this type is attached to the ceiling using cables, chains, belts and other devices;
- Corner - located between two adjacent walls, they can be attached both to the surface of the walls and to the ceiling.
Depending on the design features, shelves can be cantilever, vertical, horizontal, multi-tiered, inclined, with or without side walls, rounded, and so on.
For each interior, you need to choose special shelves that will not only accommodate your things, but will also become a kind of accent. The photo below shows an example of wall shelves for the Provence style.
Open shelves are used everywhere: in the hallway and kitchen, in the nursery and bedroom, bathroom or living room. They can be mounted on hidden and open brackets, corners, hinges - mounting variations should be combined with the chosen interior style. The most common are brackets: in short, the shelf is tightly seated on a pin and then attached to the wall.
Often, brackets are not only the basis of the structure, but also decorative elements.
Open shelves are actively used to decorate small rooms: they do not overload the room, while the abundance of closed cabinets seems more massive.
Thin shelves on which souvenirs or books are placed are an excellent choice for small rooms, but non-standard shaped shelves are best placed in spacious rooms - where they will look advantageous.
It is also advisable that the intricate shelf be placed on a plain background - this way you will emphasize its beauty and make it one of the fundamental accents.
The material of the shelf is selected in accordance with the style in which the room is decorated: wood is appropriate in the classic style, Provence style, loft, country, shabby chic and others, glass and metal are an excellent choice for hi-tech, modern or fusion style, plasterboard shelves are easy will fit into most styles - the main thing is to focus on the unusual shape.
Shelves in the living room interior
In fact, the living room can be called the “face” of the apartment: guests come here, the whole family gathers here, this room can tell about the tastes, interests and preferences of the owners, so its design must be approached with all responsibility. The interior should be both beautiful and functional. Most often, shelves are placed above the sofa, in niches or near the TV; let's look at each option in more detail.
Shelves painted to match the furniture look good; they do not “eat up” space and visually expand the room. However, techniques for playing with contrasts also work: black or chocolate brown shelves will look good on a light wall (white, beige, cream, light yellow). The chaotically located shelves look interesting (a la a children's labyrinth). Of course, they cannot be called too functional, but their aesthetic qualities are excellent.
If you are looking for a modern option, you can abandon wooden shelves and give preference to glass in different interpretations. Glass can create a special atmosphere of lightness and elegance, so it is suitable even for small rooms. Transparent and matte, colored and patterned, complemented by lighting, shelves fit into most interiors very organically.
Since living room sets and so-called “walls” are gradually losing ground, lighter and simpler solutions are taking their place. Shelving, open shelves, niches, shelves located on corners or around columns are the perfect solution for any living room. It is best to use the space above the sofa or on the opposite wall, but if there is no free space, any corners and partitions will do.
The space around the TV can also be useful: for a high-tech interior, glass shelves arranged in a cascade are suitable, and equipment is already placed in the center. You can frame the TV with hanging shelves (wooden or plastic) and play with contrasts. There are also so-called picture shelves: visually they resemble a canvas frame, inside of which there are small open shelves.
Plasterboard structures are also very convenient, because they can be given any shape and installed with your own hands. Make markings, attach metal or wooden guides, cover with sheets of plasterboard, and then putty and paint the finished shelf. Products that match the color of the wall are very popular - they look like a single whole and do not clutter up the room.
Accent trim
If the area behind the sofa is initially highlighted with decoration, additional decor may not be required. To create an accent wall behind the sofa, wallpaper, moldings, stone, wood, photo wallpaper, etc. are used.
Options for decorating the wall behind the sofa
Wall shelves in the bedroom interior
The first area to pay attention to is the head of the bed. To decorate it, the same techniques are used as for the living room, only the styles differ: minimalism is still more appropriate for the bedroom; not every person likes to sleep with massive shelves hanging over their heads.
You can make asymmetrical or symmetrical corner shelves - they will also look very interesting.
Decorative shelves on the windows would also be appropriate. This solution is suitable for plant lovers: it is best to make the shelves transparent and thin. They are mounted in the window opening: from slope to slope. To make the structure reliable, the window space is strengthened. Small glass shelves will let in enough light, and if you place pots and figurines made of multi-colored glass on them, the effect of stained glass will appear. Shelves can also be made above the window (if the ceiling height allows). You can put light vases, plates, photographs, souvenirs and other things there.
Natural niches and recesses can be turned into spacious shelving, and if you choose an original screen, you can create a spacious dressing room in the corner of the bedroom. The niche doesn’t even need side panels, but lighting won’t be superfluous.
Depends on the functionality being performed
It is clear that the shelves in the living room interior can be anything you want, but they must fulfill their immediate functionality.
Otherwise, there is no point in such design. If the shelf is a bookshelf, then there is no space for designing its appearance.
The main thing is that all the books fit and stand neatly together.
Shelves in wall niches act as a special highlight, replacing shelving. Shelves for flowers can be in window openings, in the corner of the room and even on the ceiling.
Wall shelves in the nursery
A children's room should be bright and original; parents try to create the most comfortable atmosphere for their child, carefully selecting every element of the interior. Wall shelves are no exception; you can emphasize the unusual shape - in the form of a tree, a flower or a cloud. They are made from chipboard or plywood, cutting blanks with a jigsaw according to the layout, then putting the structure together and painting it. It wouldn’t hurt to involve your child in this exciting activity.
Collage or gallery
Collages and galleries above the sofas are usually formed from small posters, paintings, photographs and mirrors. Framed objects are often used.
Decorating the wall above the sofa: galleries and collages
You can hang photos, paintings, and mirrors at once. There are numerous options for the arrangement of elements. Parts can be placed symmetrically or asymmetrically, in even rows or randomly. If in doubt, use ready-made schemes from decorators.
How to place decor above the sofa? Collage and gallery templates
To avoid mistakes, it is recommended to carry out a preliminary “trying on”. To do this, you need to cut out parts from paper of the same size and shape as the decorative items, and place them on the wall, securing them with tape or pushpins. Having created the optimal composition, you can begin finishing the design.
Wall shelves in the kitchen
Not every apartment has a spacious and large kitchen, so shelves are often assigned a more functional than decorative role. They must be strong and securely fastened; most often they are placed symmetrically - such shelves are more convenient to use, and it is easier to get kitchen utensils and dishes from them. Forged and wooden shelves fit well into the interior of a room of different styles, but glass products are not the best choice. Firstly, they are less practical, and secondly, this is an attribute of modern styles; they fit on everything.
Under TV
Nowadays, shelves have replaced coffee tables, racks, and TV stands.
We recommend reading:
- Wallpaper design for the kitchen-living room in a modern style 2022
Black and white apartment design - not boring interior
- How to rearrange your room, principles of arranging furniture in rooms with a small area
After all, was it possible to imagine before that using a shelf for a TV in the living room is much more convenient and practical than a special bedside table?
And now this option is in great demand. This is because it is incredibly convenient, and besides, it looks more attractive than the original options with bedside tables.
We can say that this is a worthy alternative to the previous generation.
Wall shelves in the bathroom interior
In the bathroom, hanging or wall shelves are a necessary attribute. Often, glass or plastic is chosen for these rooms - the materials are not afraid of moisture and are also easy to clean from dirt. It is best to place them above the washbasin or on the wall where bath accessories are stored. Fans of non-standard solutions may prefer ceramic shelves - they come in different designs and colors, with their help you can correct defects in the room, emphasize the chosen style, and place accents.
The wood must be laminated and specially treated, since this material is not the most moisture-resistant. Shelves can be made of wood if the bathroom has a wooden door, bathtub or interior items to create a harmonious ensemble. The same can be said about forged products: a mirror in a forged frame and ornate shelves will look very organic!
Varieties
Undoubtedly, when decorating a room you need to rely on its stylistic direction, but you should also study the main types of shelves.
After all, what did not suit one design will be a godsend for another. Shelves in the living room on the wall are as follows:
- Samples with side and rear walls.
- Multi-tiered.
- Single-tier.
- Models with rounded corners.
- Depending on their location - vertical and horizontal.
- The classic version is with right angles and the more modern one is with blunt and sharp ones.
- Depending on the apparent heaviness - volumetric or airy.
Mix
If the sofa is large enough, it is possible to use several decor options at once. So, the wall behind the sofa can be decorated with a large mirror, a photo gallery, and sconces.
Decorating the wall above the sofa is a creative process
However, it is important to know when to stop. The sofa area should not look too heavy and cluttered.
Author: Natalia Gorodets
Lamps
Cute wall lamps are appropriate everywhere, including behind the sofa. However, there should be no wires “crawling” along the wall, unless, of course, this was intended as part of the composition. It is better to make the decision to install sconces before renovation - this will allow you not to disturb the aesthetics.
Most often, one or two lamps are placed above the sofa. If the room is large, you can hang many more sconces, creating a gallery or “light wall” out of them.
Molded rosettes
For interior decoration, heavy gypsum stucco is rarely used, preferring lightweight ones, for example, polyurethane. It sticks to any surface without any problems. Medallions randomly scattered across the wall are an element of playfulness that is quite appropriate in a modern interior.
Niche
This method of decorating the sofa area also needs to be planned before renovation and finishing work. Niches can be either purely decorative or functional, playing the role of an exhibition shelf.
How to decorate the wall above the sofa? For example, make a niche
Get organized
More often than not, decluttering is an easy and effective way to spruce up your shelving.
Adhere to the “top and bottom” principle, which states that order should be at eye level first, with heavy items at the bottom and more decorative items at the top. Design: Bower Architecture
Even the most luxurious and expensive shelving can be ruined by clutter, and conversely, the simplest IKEA shelving unit will be worthy of a photo in an interior magazine if you tidy up the shelves and apply a few design tricks.
- Decoration
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