Storage of items in the home is often managed with great difficulty. The lack of space problem is the main one. It often happens that a thing is in the closet, but it’s difficult to get to it for a long time. In such situations, an excellent solution for living rooms is the use of open and sealed shelves suspended on the walls.
Features
Shelves are used by people for innumerable centuries, allowing you to place a variety of things compactly and neatly. Even if there are a large number of rivals in the attention of the consumer, this design retains its popularity, at the same time acting as a functional subject and a means of decorating the surrounding space.
Shelves are compatible with the vast majority of design areas. In large guest rooms, they visually blur the line between the individual details of the interior. This quality is especially relevant in square and rectangular rooms.
Bookshelves are used in most modern rooms. In terms of design, hinged structures are much better than old-fashioned walls or full-fledged cabinets. It is not at all necessary to choose between wooden and metal options: there are products in which both of these materials are harmoniously combined.
Improvement of perception, increase of originality is possible due to non-standard forms (any, different from the usual rectangle).
Shelves in the living room set with rear or side walls, one or more levels of height. They are placed vertically and horizontally, made open and covered. Sometimes the massiveness of the structure is different, instead of right angles they can use rounded ones. The choice for the consumer is huge, you just need to think about which particular option will be best for you.
Varieties
Modern living rooms should have as much space as possible, while an important design requirement is the exclusion of empty (unused) space. Having hung over the sofa instead of paintings several narrow shelves on which you can put family photos, you will solve this problem much better. The distribution of storage elements in a checkerboard pattern helps to make the interior fresh, unusual. But you will have to use only those shelves that are no longer than 100 and not wider than 15 cm.
Hanging elements on shelves are appropriate in styles. Art Deco and Pop Art. Such designs can be placed above the furniture. The tone of the whole composition is set by an elongated heavy shelf at the very edge of the ceiling, which smoothly passes into shelves with a large number of tiers.
It is possible to avoid a visual glut of space if all installed objects are painted in the most light colors.
It is permissible to install window shelves in the living rooms. It is enough to apply small-sized solutions when the whatnot for flowers occupies only a small fraction of the passage for light. The flowers themselves should be low, otherwise the plan will not be realized. You can equip the shelves with recesses in the walls, which cannot be obtained or is impractical to use in any other way. With a competent design approach, the aesthetic defects of a niche are eliminated: it becomes truly original and brings a unique flavor to the room.
Professionals offer 3 main ways to improve the appearance of niche shelves:
- LED backlight
- · 100% mastered capacity of a small depression,
- · The use of textured finishes, the color of which does not match the tonality of other parts of the interior.
A flower stand is of particular importance if you are fond of growing them.
Immediately think about whether the structure will withstand the necessary load. For example, metal structures are preferred for large plants. It is more correct to put small graceful flowers on a shelf of a small size, if it is decorated with delicate details.
Artificial flowers may look nice in the interior of a living room, but this topic requires a separate consideration. As for geometric shapes, the design, inclined by 45 degrees and held by thoroughly thought-out racks, has a purely decorative meaning. Nothing can be put in there, but this element performs its design function reliably. Exotic lovers can choose shelves that look like geographical atlases or avant-garde works.
Shelf-based compositions are often designed to break apart space. But keep in mind that each style of interior requires its own specific approach. For example, surrounded by style high tech it is advisable to use both wood and metal, and the shape of the zigzag is considered optimal. Since these elements themselves look great, there is no need for additional decoration.
The most you can use is wired phones, watches and photo frames.
In the setting moderncontrary to popular opinion, they also use shelves, but it is better to hang them separately so as not to overfill the space. As for the filling, it is worthwhile to limit yourself to a few books, or a vase and a figurine.
For your information: in the Provence lounge all functional shelves fall under the stylistic ban; only accent variants based on durable glasses are permissible. The atmosphere of the country allows the use of coasters made of painted
When you plan to store accessories, carefully read the features of the style of the room as a whole. Some areas of design allow you to emphasize the presence of a shelf and attract attention to it, but in some cases it will be more correct to focus on decorative objects without being distracted by the support for them. Take into account the mass of things to be demonstrated to others. Having preferred the elements with LED backlighting, immediately consider connecting the lighting devices to the mains.
Remember: closed shelves are more practical than open varieties, it is much easier to care for them and clean them from dust. The advantages of both solutions combine designs with glass, but with this choice, pay attention to the quality and safety of glass, as well as whether its appearance and play of light will fit into a specific interior. When choosing material, do not ignore MDF and even particleboard. Laminated varieties of this raw material are mechanically strong, they look attractive and elegant in almost any environment. The processing technology is so perfect that it can reproduce the color and texture of the most diverse materials.
PVC and polycarbonate are preferred in high-tech environments. The difference between them is that polyvinyl chloride does not withstand a significant load. The use of metal supports for objects should be justified stylistically. When misused, even a small amount of metal deprives the room of comfort.
You should not purchase full-fledged book racks: it is better to place the bulk of them in good cabinets. In plain sight, one or two small shelves look better. You and your guests will study literature more closely in your office or home library.
When you don’t know which editions it’s best to put it, confine yourself to the dummies that are now easy to purchase.
Shelves on the wall in the living room help out when you need to remove magazines, decorative items, CDs, small electrical appliances. They are a worthy alternative to shelving, but they do not hide the footage, add lightness to the interior, and make it aesthetically attractive. Today they are a popular solution that often points to the idea of design, allowing you to place small accents on them, which are business cards of different directions. We must not forget that there should not be many details, otherwise they will lose expressiveness, and at the same time they will look ordinary.
See how to make a hinged shelf with your own hands.
Bookshelves
This is considered a pretty classic option, it can fit into the interior of any living room.
Now, most hosts choose bookcases or bedside tables for their home. But professional designers still recommend choosing an option with shelves.
The material for them can be either metal or natural wood. Also on the shelves of shops you can find shelves, the material of which is combined - metal and wood.
Unusual view of bookshelves:
- Having a wall at the back or on the sides.
- Make up one or more levels.
- With and without doors.
- Thin and massive.
- With jagged, straight, rounded corners.
Of course, the choice of shelf type depends on the style and direction of the guest room itself.
Shelves over furniture
The living room should have a good bright space, but the main thing is that everything should be in moderation. So, what is the design of bare walls?
We all know and understand that having arranged massive furniture - it can be like a sofa or several armchairs - there is space above them. And you can fill it with the same shelves.
Depending on the style of the room, shelves can be arranged in different ways. The most popular composition is a chessboard, where the width of the shelves will not exceed 15 cm, and the length is not more than a meter.
If we talk about the styles of art deco or pop art, then it is better to use a shelf from which shelves of many levels will depart. Such a shelf is usually attached under the ceiling.
Basically, such shelves are chosen only in light shades, so as not to overload the interior.
Shelves for flowers
This option is more suitable for those who like to grow and look for flowers. And since there is not much space on the window shelves, you can additionally use simply wall shelves. It is also a good idea to hide defects on the wall with flower pots.
If the pots are large and massive, then the material for the shelves is better to choose from metal.
Artificial flowers, especially curly ones, which can be spread out along the entire length of one of the walls, can perfectly decorate the interior.
Bookshelves
A traditional version with bookshelves is used in the interior of many modern living rooms. In the vast majority of apartments, books are stored either in the Soviet walls or in ordinary bookcases.
Today, designers are advised to place books on hinged shelves that can be made of wood or metal.
Sometimes combined shelves made of two materials are installed. To give spice to the interior, designers come up with unusual forms for bookshelves.
The use of shelves in the interior
Wall shelves have integrated so strongly into our lives that it is already hard to imagine life without them. There is no place in the house wherever they find their application. People put them on floor, hung on the ceiling, screw the shelves to the wall, mount them in cabinets, integrate them in dressers, install them in mezzanines and other hard-to-reach places. After all, shelves are not only an elegant decoration of the interior, it is also an additional place to store things, which is always lacking.
In addition, beautiful shelves in the interior will help to correctly place accents in the room, emphasizing its overall color. They will look even more attractive if they are equipped with additional illumination in the form of an LED strip emitting soft light.
Shelves in the bedroom an indispensable piece of furniture
Vintage style hanging shelf fits nicely into the bathroom interior
An open type of bathroom shelves is more convenient and practical than a closed one
The unusual design of the shelf with many sharp corners and irregular lines will add freedom to the interior and dynamics
Beautiful high-tech shelves
There are no special rules where you can and can place shelves. They can be installed anywhere. However, it is still desirable to take into account the functional purpose of the room:
- If this is a study, it is advisable to install them above the table, within the reach of an outstretched hand, so that if necessary you do not have to constantly get out of the chair.
- The same way of placing shelves is suitable for the kitchen. Only in this case it is better to use open shelves, as every housewife loves to keep everything in front of her.
- Designers recommend installing wall shelves in a nursery or bedroom near the bed or above it. In this way, the empty space of the wall can be diluted.
As mentioned above, in addition to the functional benefits, it is necessary that the wall shelves bring more aesthetic pleasure. To do this, you can place your favorite books and magazines on them, arrange photographs of smiling relatives and people close to you who will give you pleasant memories and warm feelings.
Ideas and inspiration for creating original shelves will probably never run out
The convenient and practical design of this shelf allows you to place a large number of different items on it
It's hard to imagine a reading room without a wall shelf for books
The main advantage of the attached design is that it can be moved to another place if necessary
Stylish high-tech interior design
Shelves are a decorative element of household goods, the main task of which is to decorate the interior. This item always attracts attention, therefore it is very important that the things placed on them are correctly and accurately arranged.
- If you want everything to look harmonious and tasteful, things need to be arranged in a certain order. For example, large objects should not be next to small ones; they are best placed separately and preferably higher, while small objects will look great on the lower tiers of the shelf.
- We must not forget about the right combination of colors. Each element must strictly comply with the general style of the room. Bright colors should not spoil the interior, but rather complement it, competently bringing the room's color palette to perfection.
- Shelf space must be used both in height and in depth. Higher items should melt behind the lower ones, while functional things need to be placed in the foreground. However, do not clutter up the space too much so as not to create a heavy feeling of an overabundance of decor. Ideally, the ratio of free and occupied area should be 50 to 50%.
Multi-colored shelves in the kitchen will set a cheerful tone for interior design
Classic kitchen interior in a modern style
A visual option for the proper placement of decorative elements
The hidden type of shelf fastening allows you to achieve the effect of airiness and weightlessness
Also, do not forget about the option of symmetrical placement of objects on the shelf. This method allows you to achieve the desired effect of a certain completeness of the interior.
Types of home shelves.
Wooden shelves and shelving
Fashionable and modern wooden shelves have long been replaced by huge and uncomfortable shelving and cabinets. These fashionable and practical elements fit perfectly into the design of any room. They are perfectly combined with any style of interior, convenient in operation and maintenance, and are also a great place to store things.
Wooden shelves will become not only a beautiful addition to your interior, but also an integral attribute of modern life.
Buy or do it yourself
Today it is not difficult to buy a ready-made hanging shelf both via the Internet and in any furniture store. The advantages of such a purchase are obvious:
- No need to waste time making your own wooden shelf,
- You can buy certified products of high quality that will last a long time,
- You can choose a bookcase, wardrobe or bed in the same color and design, since in stores hanging shelves are usually a separate element of a furniture set.
- You can immediately select the required size and number of storeys of the shelf, thereby gaining confidence that it will withstand the load you need.
However, not everyone will like the store shelf, many prefer to make it on their own to get an original and unique thing.
Making a wooden shelf with your own hands is not difficult, especially since today there are a lot of ideas and master classes on the Internet.
Wood and metal are a great addition to the loft style living room interior.
To create an original shelf design, expensive materials are not necessary at all. The main thing is to have creative thinking.
Workshop on making a wooden shelf
There are such models of hanging shelves that you are unlikely to find on the Internet - these are wooden shelves made of scraps of boards or bars, the fastening for which is a piece of rope. They are very stylish and unusual look in the interior. Here are two of the most popular ways to make them:
First option:
- We saw the board of the right size, process it with a grinder, cover it with varnish or paint.
- On the sides on both sides at the same distance with a drill, we make one hole with a diameter equal to the diameter of the rope, on which our shelf will hang.
- We put the ends of the rope or rope through the holes and tie reliable dense knots so that the board rests on them. We fix the shelf in the selected place.
The second option (multi-tiered):
- As in the previous case, we are preparing the boards, this time there will be at least two of them. We will also need small bars of different sizes and thicknesses, they will become the side walls of the future model.
- To the bars above and below, using screws and special glue on wood, we fix the main boards. Then we give our preparation some time to dry. The first tier of the structure is ready.
- In a similar way, using the same material, we make the remaining cells of the future shelf. We carefully monitor that the internal corners are right.
- After the required number of elements for the shelf are assembled using a rope or metal chain, we connect them together. The final step is to install the wall mount. A carbine or an anchor bolt with a hook is best suited for these purposes.
As you can see, there is nothing complicated. Shelves can be painted to the color of furniture, covered with stain or decorated with decorative elements to your taste.
Easy firing of wood will give the finished product even more charm and elegance
Shelf from birch boards
Original flower pots from ordinary edged boards and rope
Unusual shelf shapes
Designers come up with many original ideas for decorating the living room, including shelves. Specialists in the interior offer extraordinary designs.
Shelves with a slope that attach to special racks look very unusual. In addition, whole furniture compositions from shelves, designed in the form of geographical maps or avant-garde figures, come across.
Tips & Tricks
When choosing any shelf, even the most modest in size, it is necessary to take into account certain points:
- For classical and minimalist styles, simple designs of the correct form and neutral shades are considered optimal.
- Instead of a standard TV shelf, you can make a more original design: in parallel, place two boards under the panel at a distance of 20-30 cm, and put two more short ones on both sides,
- If the door or window opening occupies most of the wall, then around it you can make, order a U-shaped or L-shaped rack,
- You can separate one zone in a room from another using a high vertical or figured shelf,
- It is better to choose the alternation of open and closed sections in order to have storage spaces hidden from prying eyes,
- Two parallel boards located side by side, but only “20-30 cm” facing each other, look beautiful on the wall,
- Universal color - white, cream and woody light brown shades.
Rarely does a living room design do without a separate shelf or an entire rack complex. Originally intended to store the little things necessary in life, they began to fulfill an aesthetic function.
The modern market offers hundreds of options of every possible configuration, body material and color shade, among which it is easy to choose the most suitable model for the existing interior. Or, inspired by ideas, make a shelf yourself.
Shelves in interior styles
Designers often use shelf compositions to divide rooms into functional areas. For each style, a specific layout of shelves has been developed.
High tech. In such a living room, it is necessary to place shelves made of glass or metal in a zigzag shape. Accessories should be discarded so as not to overload the environment. Such shelves stand out for their unusual appearance, so there is no need to make the interior extra accessories. It’s enough to install a home phone, photo frame or watch.
Modern. For this style, shelves may seem like a bulky element, but there are many successful examples of this design. Usually they are hung separately, but in some cases they act as an integral part of the modular wall.
Provence. In this direction, open shelves are rare, and functional, on which things are stored, are generally not allowed. Usually glass shelves are used here. A strong, reliable glass of various colors is used, which looks elegant in tandem with vases and figurines. In addition, bleached shelves decorated with flowers and hearts are well suited to the Provence style.
Loft. The maximum variety gives us an independent loft. At the same time, it is not necessary to grind the boards to perfection - minimal negligence will be in harmony with the brick walls characteristic of this style.
Baroque. This kind of design implies a huge number of pictorial components, for this reason the shelves are certainly decorated with exquisite patterns, carved elements or stucco molding. It is very important that they contain the elements of wealth and solemnity inherent in this direction.
In the interior of many current living rooms, shelves play a very serious role. Objects are placed on them, with their help they delimit space and create a single style in the room. With proper design, they are able to qualitatively transform the decor of the room. It does not matter at all whether the shelves are part of the furniture or are a separate group.
They will always be involved in creating the look of the room along with other items. Just for this reason, designers have a huge interest in them in their work.
Materials of manufacture
Its reliability, shape, configuration, aesthetics and the circle of objects that can be placed on it depend on the material of the structure.
The materials are not universal in terms of design, for example, metal shelves are not suitable for a classic interior, but in a loft or modern style they will look good.
Wooden shelves in the living room
They look beautiful, give warmth and coziness. Due to the wide variety of varieties of wood, they are suitable for various interior styles. They can have a different texture and color.
Wooden shelves are suitable for any style, ranging from classics to country and loft. Wood is easy to process and decorate. If desired, such shelves can be made independently.
Particleboard, MDF, LMDF, chipboard
The advantage of wood boards is their affordable cost. Due to the decorative coating, they have high aesthetic qualities. These are quite durable materials, so they can be used to attach large and heavy objects. For example, from wood panels you can make stylish shelves for TV in the living room.
Materials can have a glossy or matte surface, as well as almost any color. Suitable for any interior style.
Metal
It also features high reliability and the ability to execute shelves of almost any configuration, including the most unusual ones. Look beautiful with glass inserts.
In this case, the frame is metal, and the shelf itself is glass. Often this way they make a variety of hanging shelves in the living room. The inserts can also be made of wood.
In a classic style, metal forged shelves will look appropriate. They attract a solid, luxurious appearance.
Glass
There are completely glass shelves that use a minimum of metal or plastic fasteners. Generally used for storing light objects.
Glass is often used to make decorative screens for shelving.
Drywall
Usually from this material niche shelves are presented, represented by a false wall with recesses. Designs can be finished with various finishing materials. To increase the strength, a rigid frame is made of a metal profile.
Plastic
Decorative shelves that are not exposed to high loads are usually made of plastic. The advantage is a wide variety of colors and flexibility in processing. Plastic panels for the manufacture of shelves are very affordable.
Design Options
Modern shelves are usually divided into 4 main categories according to the type of construction:
- shelving
- angular
- hanging
- outdoor.
Shelving
Presented by a vertical support frame on which the shelves are mounted. They have good roominess. Can be used for zoning the space in the living room. For the manufacture of shelving, you can use almost all of the above materials.
The frame can be located at an angle relative to the floor. The shelves themselves can vary in shape and height. The racks located at an angle are often equipped in the form of a decorative staircase.
It is possible to make models of complex configurations, make passages between different zones in them. Cylindrical racks are popular for saving usable space.
Corner shelves
The best choice for a compact living room. Triangular designs look very nice, elegantly smoothing corners and giving coziness to the interior. Shelves can have a modular design, which can be upgraded if desired.
On light shelves you can have fresh or artificial flowers, souvenirs. Modular solutions are the perfect choice for book storage.
Shelves can be open or closed. The latter, as a rule, have an attractive glass facade. Modular solutions allow you to collect original abstract compositions.
Corner wooden shelves are well suited for a classic interior. More modern styles often use metal, glass and plastic.
Outboard
Such shelves are mounted on the wall, but are not fixed on the floor. As a rule, these are narrow shelves on which photographs, indoor flowers and various souvenirs are stored. Such shelves are often used to decorate empty walls.
The shape and design of hanging shelves can be very different. There are vertical models, there are elegant products with bends. Designers also offer elegant solutions that are suspended from the ceiling. Such shelves usually have a more decorative function than a practical one.
Floor
These are the most traditional models of shelves for the living room. In fact, this category includes the above corner shelves and shelving. The design is mounted on the floor and, as a rule, is not fixed by any fasteners. In the case of large racks, they are usually attached to the floor or walls.
Floor racks of various configurations are often used to house appliances. Also, books, children's toys and all kinds of decorative elements will look appropriate on them.
Recommendations on the location of shelves in the living room
In any living room you can place a shelf. There are several main places for their location:
- on an empty wall
- in the corners
- in the window opening
- under the ceiling.
Shelving is usually placed along the wall. Sometimes they are installed in the middle of the living room with the aim of zoning the space.
Glass shelves usually decorate the walls. They look especially good in compact living rooms, where there is no way to use massive shelving.
In small living rooms, the use of corner shelves is also recommended. An angle is actually not used space. By installing a shelf in the corner, you will not reduce the space of the room, but you will get a convenient system for storing all kinds of items.
Shelves over furniture
When creating modern living rooms, special attention is paid to freedom and space, but too much free space is not always good. The most vulnerable area is the empty wall above the sofa and armchairs, which is usually decorated with paintings or family photos. This solution is not always effective and is not able to adequately cope with the problem. As an alternative to the picture gallery, experts advise hanging a couple of narrow shelves over the sofa, and attach photos of family members to them.
Living room interior with shelves above the sofa
The design will come out very unique if you place the shelves in a checkerboard pattern, and in order for such a structure not to look bulky, it is necessary to select short and narrow shelves.
For rooms that are furnished in the style of art deco and pop art, shelves equipped with hinged elements are used. As a rule, they are placed over sofas, armchairs and other types of furniture.
A powerful and long shelf is hung under the ceiling, with multilevel shelves extending down from it. So that objects do not burden the interior, but rather enrich it, experts recommend using only pastel shades on the wall in the living room.
Shelves for flowers
A great addition to the interior are indoor plants. They are suitable for any style, attract the eye and clean the air in the room. A wide variety of floor and wall shelves will help the hostess to compactly install plants in the right place. And the unique design of the do-it-yourself flower shelf will add extravagance and richness to the room.
For large colors, it is recommended to use metal shelves that are durable. Small flowers are well placed on small shelves that are decorated with openwork carvings.
In addition to living plants, artificial flowers look great on hanging shelves in the living room. Well-decorated interior climbing plants. Their branches can be gracefully spread on the wall or ceiling, creating a corner of the living room under a kind of small garden.
Photo of the original shelves for the living room
Question answer
As a rule, corners are usually empty due to their low practicality, but corner shelves not only rehabilitate space, but also help to diversify the design. Shelves are mounted on two adjacent adjacent walls.In this case, not only the internal, but also the external angle can be involved.
The variety of design of corner wall shelves in the living room depends on the materials and decorations used, but even this solution in itself looks original.
In wall niches that are difficult to use for any needs, you can mount small shelves. They will help to hide the shortcomings of this architectural component, turning it into a peculiar and practical object in the room.
The length and width of the shelves must be selected in accordance with the dimensions of the wall niche. The stylistic material should be fully consistent with the surrounding interior.
