Declutter Without Creating a Shelf Maze
If you’ve spent any time looking for decluttering advice, you’ve probably come across the suggestion to think vertically. Vertical storage makes perfect sense, especially in a small space, as it frees up valuable floor space. Ultimately, it’s the perfect opportunity to make use of empty walls and provide a proud display to a variety of treasured possessions. Needless to say, vertical storage is a game-changer.
However, when every wall you’ve got available ends up covered in shelving units, the stylish decluttering look and feel turns into a crowded space, no matter how organised it is. Why? Because selves become the sole visual element in your interior style, which means that they don’t keep your space tidy anymore, they start becoming part of the stressful clutter. So, how can you use vertical storage in a way that complements your interior rather than overwhelms it?
Creating a focal point as a priority
There’s no secret. If you want shelving to stop dominating your room, you need to make sure there is something more visually interesting for the eye to land on first. Every well-designed space has a focal point. To put it simply, the focal point is the first thing you focus on when you come into the room.
So, this can be an architectural element, such as a fireplace, or even a piece of artwork. Shelves should support that point without competing with it.
This is where experienced painting and decorating companies can make a surprising difference. Colour is one of the most effective tools to guide the attention around a room. You can use wall colour to highlight the specific focus point by enhancing architectural features, creating depth, or even drawing attention through a colourful statement wall. This instantly helps keep shelves in the background.
Storage that blends in
Built-in storage can create a calm look because it feels part of the room rather than something that’s been added afterwards, like a freestanding shelf.
What to use? Alcoves on either side of a chimney breast are a great spot. Awkward spaces under the stairs or corners of rooms are also very handy. A variety of spaces can be transformed into practical built-in storage that doesn’t interrupt the overall flow of your room.
Additionally, a lot of built-in options also have integrated doors, which are useful to hide away everyday items you don’t necessarily want on display.
Turn shelves into a decorative element
A less explored option that is effective to help your shelves blend in is to make them part of your decor. This can be the object of a weekend DIY project to embellish your shelves. There are plenty of furniture paint options that are useful to move away from more neutral colours and to match your decor. It’s also a great way to refresh ageing shelving units that may be showing signs of wear and tear.
You can also add decorative elements with stencils that add subtle patterns. Naturally, restraint is key here. If you fill every inch with patterns, the shelf stands out too much instead of blending in with the decor.
Vertical storage is a great solution for small spaces, but it can take over a room. So, it becomes important to know how to playfully break the shelf maze and create a tidy and stylish environment at home.
Top photo by Pickawood on Unsplash
