When it comes to transforming a room, beautifully styled shelves are one of the easiest ways to elevate your space. Whether you’re refreshing your living room, updating your bedroom, or adding personality to your hallway, well-curated shelves bring warmth, character and a cosy sense of home. At Linens and More, we believe in blending modern minimalism with inviting textures — helping you create that warm and cozy luxe feeling that New Zealand homes are known for.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to style shelves like an interior designer using unique home décor pieces, decorative objects, candle holders, bookends, artwork, and soft accents. Let’s dive in.
1. Start With a Clean Base
Before adding anything, remove all clutter and give the shelves a fresh start. This helps you see the space clearly and creates room for intentional styling.
Tip: Think of your shelves as mini storyboards. Everything you place should either bring joy, add texture, or elevate the overall vibe.
2. Build With the Rule of Thirds
The rule of thirds is a simple trick designers use to keep shelves balanced and beautiful. Instead of filling every space, divide each shelf visually into thirds:
One-third books
One-third decorative objects
One-third negative space
This creates breathing room and prevents the shelves from looking overcrowded.
3. Add Height With Books, Vases & Candle Holders
Height variation is essential.
Use: Stacked books
Tall candle holders
Sculptural vases
Ceramic or stone objects
Mixing tall and short pieces creates visual movement and keeps the eye engaged.
For a warm and cozy luxe look, choose pieces in soft neutrals, warm woods, earthy ceramics, frosted glass or brass.
4. Layer Colours & Materials
Texture is what makes home décor feel welcoming and high-end. Combine materials such as:
Linen or textured cushions nearby
Stone and marble bookends
Woven baskets
Brass or gold-toned accents
Matte ceramic decorative objects
A mix of matte, glossy, woven and metallic finishes creates depth.
5. Curate Meaningful Decorative Objects
Your shelves should feel personal. Mix practical objects with sentimental ones:
Framed photos
Travel souvenirs
Ceramic bowls
Small sculptures like our riding statue
Unique home décor pieces from NZ artisans
This blend feels effortless yet intentional — perfect for a modern NZ home.
6. Style With the “High–Medium–Low” Method
To keep your shelves harmonious, style each cluster with:
One tall item (e.g., vase, candle holder)
One medium item (e.g., bowl, pot, book stack)
One low item (e.g., trinket dish, decorative object)
This creates a triangular silhouette — a secret designers use constantly.
7. Use Books as Design Elements
Books aren’t just for reading — they add structure, height and warmth.
Stack books horizontally to elevate objects
Stand books vertically and secure with bookends
Mix neutral book covers for a cohesive palette
Bookends made from marble, wood or ceramic are perfect for grounding your styling.
8. Integrate Softness With Cushions (If Near Shelving)
For shelves in living rooms or bedrooms, nearby cushions help tie everything together.
Choose styles in:
Soft linen
Textured cotton
Warm earthy tones or muted neutrals
This reinforces your cozy luxe aesthetic and visually connects the space.
9. Bring Warmth With Candle Holders
Candle holders instantly soften shelving, especially in the evenings.
Try:
Taper candle holders in brass
Ribbed glass votives
Ceramic pillar holders
They create the perfect cozy ambience and add subtle elegance.
10. Step Back & Edit
Great styling is 50% adding, 50% editing.
Remove one or two pieces
Check balance across shelves
Ensure colours and shapes repeat subtly
Keep at least 20–30% negative space
A curated, minimalist approach always looks more expensive.
11. Refresh Seasonally
Shelf styling doesn’t need a full overhaul — just swap small pieces seasonally:
Autumn: warm woods, amber glass, candles
Spring: fresh ceramics, greenery, lighter tones
Summer: coastal accents, woven textures
Winter: layers, darker ceramics, warm metals
This keeps your home feeling new all year round.
Final Thoughts
Shelf styling is one of the easiest ways to elevate your space with beautiful NZ home decor, and with the right mix of textures, decorative objects, bookends, candle holders and personal touches, you can create a warm and cozy luxe look that feels curated yet effortless.
If you’re looking for unique home decor in NZ that brings character, warmth and style, explore our collection to find pieces that fit beautifully into your home.
