Shelves in the living room: TOP-115 beautiful photos of examples of the design of modern shelves

Features of living room shelves

Shelves in the living room are not only practical storage systems, but also an important component of the interior of the room. Even if there is a lot of other furniture in the room, there is always room for shelves.

The peculiarity of such products is their wall mounting. Therefore, structures are usually not used for storing heavy bulky items.

• It is also important to install the shelf correctly so that it does not sag and can withstand the load for which it is designed according to the technical specifications.
• Sometimes such products are installed only as a decorative element.
• On such shelves you can stylishly place all kinds of souvenirs, photographs and other items that will decorate the interior.

Bedroom

When designing a bedroom interior, many begin to be tormented by the question of decorating the wall at the head of the bed. A pair of small white shelves will fit perfectly into any style. At the same time, you should not force it with something massive; place a few trinkets dear to your heart, a small bouquet or photographs. If the shelves are located on the sides of the bed, then you can put night lights or candles on them, thereby creating a cozy, romantic atmosphere.

There is always not enough space for toys in children's rooms. Open white shelves will allow you to place all your child’s plush pets. You can also put children's books on the shelves, instilling in your child a love of reading. It is important that the shelves are hung low enough so that the child can independently pick up any item.

Types of models

Furniture manufacturers offer a huge variety of shelves for living rooms. Based on the installation method, they can be divided into 2 main types:

• Wall-mounted;
• Floor-standing.

Wall-mounted ones are attached to the wall. It is important that the wall material allows the product to be firmly fixed. For example, it is not recommended to attach such sets to plasterboard partitions.

There are corner models that can be mounted on two walls in the corner of the room to make more efficient use of this space.

Floor-standing models have the shape of a rack and can withstand higher loads than wall-mounted ones.

Based on the type of construction, they are divided into the following types:

• Open. As a rule, they are used to place decor.
• Closed. They are used more for functional purposes as full-fledged storage systems.

Depending on the purpose, they are classified into the following types:

• Books. They usually have a classic design, divided into separate compartments. A good choice for organizing a small home library in the living room.
• Decorative. As a rule, they have an open design. Used to place souvenirs, photographs, memorabilia, indoor flowers and other decorative elements.
• Storage systems. They are usually equipped with doors and are used for storing various items - clothes, linen, small household appliances, dishes, etc.
• Window for flowers. They are installed in a window opening and used to place indoor flowers. Most often they have a metal frame and glass shelves.

What types of shelves are there?

There are a great variety of products. However, all of them can be divided into the following groups:

Variety of shapes

Popular models are available in a wide variety of configurations and sizes. The following types of structures are produced:

• vertical;
• horizontal;
• inclined;
• curved;
• with abstract patterns;
• with fancy lines.

Let's look at the most interesting and common options in more detail:

1. Square. They give the room style and rigor. Sold in a large assortment. Suitable for any interior. Available in different colors. Most of them are wooden, varnished.
2. Angular. Make good use of free space. Fastening occurs on two walls at once. Beautiful and comfortable. The unusual design depends on the chosen accessory and material. They are not massive. The appearance is original. You can make it yourself at home.
3. Zigzags. The view is unformatted. They look interesting and unusual. Suitable for futuristic interiors. Practical and functional. They make the atmosphere of the room unique and attractive.
4. Honeycombs. They will decorate any wall with the correct geometric pattern. An ideal place to store small items. Hexagons. They are hung individually or you can create a unique composition from several elements of varying sizes and colors.
5. Round or oval. Will complement any interior. Mounted on the wall. Suitable for a bath or for a child's room. You can give the product a unique frame.

Material of manufacture

Which product is best to buy depends on a person’s personal preferences. The main thing is that there is plenty to choose from. Products are mainly produced from:

1. Metal. It is distinguished by such characteristics as strength, wear resistance, durability, quality, and practicality. They will be an ideal addition to any interior. However, hi-tech and minimalism are most suitable. Ideal for the kitchen. Most often, the manufacturer uses this material to make shelves for a computer and TV.
2. Tree. Classic option. Suitable for any design solution. Versatile and practical. The best material for bookshelves or photo frames. Able to withstand significant loads. You can put dishes, kitchen appliances on them, or use them for souvenirs.
3. Glass. Models are available in corrugated, tempered, colored and plain glass. They are distinguished by a stylish appearance, make the room airy and visually increase its volume. They should be treated with care and looked after carefully. It is better not to install heavy objects on them.
4. Chipboard/chipboard. The main feature is moisture resistance, which is why such models can often be found in bathrooms. Shelves for shoes are made from this material. Most often they are finished with film, veneer or plastic. The variety of shades and sizes is impressive.
5. Plastic. Inexpensive but functional product. The appearance is simple. Suitable for any design solution. Light weight. They do not require careful care. The question of where to buy them is not worth it. Specialized retail outlets will offer a huge assortment. You can also order online in the online store.

Mounting options

The reliability and strength of the shelves depends on how correctly the fasteners are chosen. Much depends on workload. The main types of fastenings for wall shelves are considered to be:

1. Removable fixation. Special hooks and brackets are used for fastening. The hooks are mounted to the wall, the brackets are mounted directly to the shelf. In this case, the products are simply put on and taken off. Staples can be placed not only on the back wall of the structure, but also on the front. The result is a hanging device that is interesting and very stable.
2. Hidden fastening. For these purposes, hidden fittings are used. She's invisible. There is a feeling that the shelves are simply glued to the wall. If there is a need to move them to another location, dismantling may be difficult. Only craftsmen can install the structure. This activity is beyond the capabilities of amateurs.
3. Rigid fixation. Special fittings are used as fastenings. The most durable type. Can be used for mounting to the wall, floor or ceiling. The structure attached in this way can withstand significant loads. The best solution for book and kitchen shelves.
4. Fastening the modular plan. Modern and convenient option. It will help you choose the number of elements, remove them and return them. It’s quite simple to do: string the upper elements onto the lower ones. In this way, a unique composition can be obtained.

How to choose shelves to suit the style of the room

Everyone's selection criteria are different. When choosing designs, designers recommend listening to the following advice:

1. Classic. Preference is given to angular and flat products. You can use brackets if you get harmony.
2. Modernity. Use all your imagination. Any option will do: from laconic shapes to clear geometric shapes. According to buyers, the best option is mobile or modular wall structures. The color scheme can be very diverse. It all depends on the color of the wallpaper, flooring, and furniture.
3. Provence. It is advisable to give preference to wooden products. You can create an aging effect or cover the surface with white paint.
4. Loft. Permissible slight negligence. Goes well with brick wall cladding. Can be hung on thick ropes or leather straps.
5. Minimalism. Partially closed structures or those equipped with doors are suitable. Wooden or glass surfaces look great. It is advisable to give preference to horizontal, even and smooth bases.

Scope of use of structures

There are practically no rooms without more than one shelf, both wall-mounted and standing. They differ in functionality, maximum load, appearance and material of manufacture. Depending on where the shelf is to be hung, there are:

1. For decoration. They are produced beautiful and weightless. They differ in size, color, shape and material of manufacture. Fastenings are selected for the expected weight of objects installed on the structure. The main task is to make the room cozy and beautiful.
2. Books. Suitable for living room or bedroom. Designed to accommodate fiction and textbooks. Quite roomy, voluminous and bulky. To support heavy weight, you need to choose a reliable mount. Mounted above the desk. They can occupy the entire wall if it is a home library. You should be careful about their placement. Otherwise, you can significantly take away the free space of the room.
3. For bathroom. As a rule, they contain aromatic oils and candles, towels and hygiene products. Moisture-resistant materials are used in their production. They are not afraid of high humidity. Exposure to splashes and detergents. In most cases, durable plastic, moisture-resistant drywall, and glass are used for their manufacture.
4. For kitchen. A separate product category. Designed to accommodate not only kitchen appliances, jars of spices, tea and coffee, but also appliances and dishes. A distinctive feature of the models is durability, ease of maintenance, moisture resistance, reliability, safety, and environmental friendliness. They must not only withstand significant loads, but also be easily cleaned of grease, dirt, and soot using cleaning products.
5. For a children's room. The main purpose is to place toys and books. What should you pay attention to to avoid making mistakes when choosing? The recommendations of experts boil down to the following: shelves should be spacious, comfortable, practical, durable, made of environmentally friendly materials, and have super-rigid fastenings. Under no circumstances should a shelf be allowed to fall on the baby and cause him harm. It is strictly forbidden to purchase glass products for a children's room. Too fragile and can break during active games.
6. For pets. This applies to those families who cannot imagine their lives without little pets. Entire playgrounds are being created for pets. For these purposes, comfortable and spacious shelves are selected. Here you should pay more attention to functionality than elegance.

Selection rules

Which company is better to purchase products is up to everyone to decide for themselves. But the brand is not the most important thing. Before making a final decision, it is necessary to clearly determine the location of the structure. The parameters of the product depend on this. If you make a mistake with them, you can not only ruin the interior of the room, but also simply not fit into the free space. You'll have to visit the store again and try to exchange your purchase for a more suitable one.

In addition to the dimensions, you need to clearly understand how many shelves will be hung. The distance between them is calculated, placement locations are determined, and precise measurements are taken. Experts recommend leaving a margin of a couple of centimeters. This way the shelves will not rest against each other and will look harmonious on the wall.

The coincidence of styles is of no small importance. It is better not to experiment, but to seriously study this issue. If you lack your own knowledge and skills, you can turn to a design bureau for help.

Manufacturing materials

Manufacturers use different types of materials to make shelves. Aesthetics, durability, maximum load and cost depend on the material.

The most popular include:

• Tree. Durable, environmentally friendly and durable material. The disadvantage is the relatively high price of finished products.
• Chipboard and MDF. Wood boards that imitate almost any natural surface. They are distinguished by a wide range of colors and textures. Easy to install, low maintenance and inexpensive, but less durable and strong compared to solid wood.
• Drywall. As a rule, plasterboard shelves are equipped in the form of wall niches. They are an attractive element of the interior. Such shelves are characterized by increased installation complexity. Usually they are built at the stage of renovation of the premises.
• Glass. An excellent choice for modern interiors. They visually expand the space, look airy, and attract with shine.
• Metal. Strong and durable material, however, does not always allow you to create a cozy interior. Metal shelves are rarely installed in living rooms and other living spaces; they are more suitable for offices.

Types and designs

There are many options for shelves in the kitchen. They may differ in size, design, and method of attachment. It will become easier to navigate this diversity if you divide existing models into groups.

Wall shelves

They can be mounted anywhere: on a blank wall under a lamp, near a window opening, in a narrow partition next to a ventilation shaft. Any niche will turn into a convenient shelving unit if it is filled from bottom to top with open kitchen shelves.

Add to this neat doors and a couple of drawers - and now you already have a full-fledged built-in wardrobe.

Wall-mounted storage systems can be attached to the side walls in any way:

• Through the corners to the side surfaces. Here, the length of the board directly depends on the distance between the walls where you have to install the kitchen shelf.

But even if the niche is very small, don’t let it be empty: store something small here, for example, spices.

• Using side stops. Ikea has offered a convenient option for such models, where the edges of the shelves are hidden directly in the grooves of the console mounts. You can cut the main board to the required size or cut out channels for the wiring of the built-in lamp, and then simply insert the shelf into the frame as if nothing had happened.

• On hidden fasteners. In this case, a cantilever strip is screwed to the wall, onto which a thick shelf with a selected longitudinal groove is placed. It may well be replaced by anchors for special recessed hinges or long steel studs.

Such powerful shelves are good because you can easily hide built-in lamps or LED strip in them.

By the way, today interior designers prefer shelves with hidden fastenings. Outwardly, it looks as if the entire console is simply built into the wall - very impressive!

Open lockers

A wall-mounted module with open shelves for the kitchen looks like half of a cabinet, with a back wall, a top lid and even some sides, but no main thing: a bottom and doors. Such models look great in country-style interiors.

A striking example is the nice Liatorp design from Ikea made of chipboard and solid beech.

Such an unusual, albeit slightly bulky, shelf in the kitchen turns out to be quite convenient for several reasons:

• The dishes standing on it are easy to reach, and the decoration on the walls does not get wet or dirty.
• The top lid can also be used to store utensils that you rarely use.
• Here you can install functional lamps that turn a half-cabinet into a display case for beautiful dishes, or diodes that create a soft background glow.

A beautifully designed shelf in the kitchen, installed above a cabinet of the same width, can create the illusion of a classic buffet. It can be difficult to find a full-fledged china cabinet that would be in harmony with the rest of the decor.

And there are no problems here: you form a furniture wall from Ikea frames, fronts and drawers - instead of one hanging module, take an open shelf in color.

Mezzanine shelves - horizontal cabinets without fronts - should also be included in this group. They can be attached to the wall or used to increase the height of the kitchen set. In the Ikea catalog, such shelves are represented by the laconic Hemnes and Billy models, as well as the frivolous Klimpen mini-shelf.

Console

This kitchen shelf deserves special attention. A distinctive feature of the cantilever design: metal corners or stops that take on the entire load and transfer it to the wall. Such models are the easiest to install and therefore very popular.

For example, in the Ikea catalog there are 16 different console-type shelves.

They can withstand quite a lot of weight, but due to the way they are fastened, they cannot be secured everywhere: protruding metal elements interfere with the placement of other objects.

Returning to the Ikea assortment, it is worth saying that this store has a truly unique offer - stylish consoles from the Ekbi series. There are several options for using such a shelf in the kitchen, because in addition to the main plane, there are also a couple of drawers.

It will be convenient to store all kinds of kitchen small things in them :

• spices;
• recipe magazines;
• potholders and napkins;
• cutlery.

This is exactly the rare case when the presence of an open shelf in the kitchen does not create a feeling of clutter due to small items on display - they are all securely hidden behind the blank walls of compact drawers.

Hanging

Quite a rare type of shelves that are attached to the ceiling. As a rule, they are placed directly above the bar table or kitchen island, if the room is spacious enough and a bulky storage system does not spoil the interior. In any case, it is better to choose through structures, that is, absolutely without side walls or at least without a back shield.

This way they will look lighter, and they will become more convenient to use.

Alternatively, you can attach lamps to the bottom of the hanging shelf to illuminate the work area, and store spices and pots of herbs at the top.

Living room shelf design

Manufacturers offer living room shelves in a variety of designs. You can choose the ideal models for any interior.

The most popular stylistic trends include:

• High tech. The products are distinguished by a laconic design with straight lines and regular shapes. Often made of glass and metal.
• Loft. Rough surfaces with imitation roughing. A combination of metal and wood elements. Such shelves harmonize well with walls finished in the form of brickwork or concrete surfaces.
• Provence. Characterized by the predominance of wood textures and delicate pastel colors. Shelves are usually made of wood or MDF. Most often they are light in color.
• Classic. Luxurious, fairly massive wood products. Often decorated with all sorts of ornaments and patterns.
• Country. Wooden shelves decorated in a rustic style. Imitation of aged surfaces is popular.

Shelf shape

In the collection of models you can find and buy wall shelves of various configurations for arranging a living room, nursery, bathroom, hallway and kitchen:

• narrow, cascading, interconnected by metal rods in high-tech style;
• classic wide ones of short length for placement under a mirror for storing perfumes;
• elongated oval-shaped plastic shelves with barely noticeable sides in the spirit of Provence;
• model in the form of a picture with a recess for installing a TV or audio equipment;
• a product in the shape of a tree branch with small branches for a loft-style room.

Tips for choosing shelves

To choose the right shelves for the living room, you should consider the following criteria:

• Design. Products must be harmoniously combined with the rest of the furniture and the overall interior design.
• Load. To place large items, for example, a TV or speaker system, you need to choose a durable design with additional reinforcements. Lightweight decorative items can be placed on minimalist shelves made of glass, chipboard or even plastic.
• Material. The choice is similar to the previous criterion. The higher the load, the stronger the material should be.
• Dimensions. Shelves should look proportional to the room. If they are too large, the interior will be overloaded. A large number of small shelves can create an atmosphere of chaos.

Stylish design

Items and accessories, beautifully arranged on white shelves, turn a piece of furniture into a stylish piece of decor, emphasizing its designer look. Colored items placed on it stand out brightly on its light base, combining with the shade of other attributes of the room.

Many small items are first placed in a beautiful box or miniature wicker box and then placed on a shelf for storage. In this frame they look more impressive and take up little space.

Objects arranged in a composition whose outline resembles a triangle look impressive on white shelves. An ensemble that includes things with different purposes, such as a decorative figurine, a glossy magazine or book, or a flowerpot with a flowering plant, attracts attention.

Features of indoor placement

Sufficient free space is required to install shelves. The location should be determined taking into account the layout and furnishings of the room. A wall shelf can be installed above a TV or sofa. If the room is small, you should take a closer look at corner models.

• If the shelves are installed near a doorway or in another place where they will be frequently walked by, it is better to mount them above average human height.
• This minimizes the risk of accidental injury. The height should also be selected correctly when placed above upholstered furniture.
• The shelf must be installed high enough. When standing up, a person should not cling to the structure.

Decorative shelves used to store jewelry and accessories should be placed on a visible bridge. They are one of the central elements of the interior.

Closed storage systems can be installed almost anywhere, the main thing is that they do not interfere with comfortable movement around the room, use of furniture and equipment.

Tips and tricks

When choosing any shelf, even the most modest in size, it is necessary to take into account certain points:

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• For classic and minimalist styles, simple designs of regular shape and neutral shades are considered optimal;
• Instead of a standard shelf-stand for a TV, you can make a more original design: place two parallel boards under the panel at a distance of 20-30 cm, and place two more short ones on both sides;
• If a door or window opening occupies most of the wall, then you can make or order a U-shaped or L-shaped rack around it;
• You can separate one zone in a room from another using a high vertical or shaped shelf;
• It is better to choose alternating open and closed sections in order to have storage spaces hidden from prying eyes;
• Two parallel boards located next to each other, but only 20-30 cm “overlapping” each other, look beautiful on the wall;
• Universal colors - white, cream and woody light brown shades.

Rarely does a living room design go without a separate shelf or an entire shelving complex. Initially intended for storing small things necessary in life, they began to perform an aesthetic function.

The modern market offers hundreds of different configurations, body materials and color options, among which it is easy to choose the most suitable model for your existing interior. Or, inspired by ideas, make a shelf yourself.

Photo of modern shelves in the living room

Design Features

Various model options allow you to choose and buy a white shelf for any purpose. Among them there are floor-mounted, wall-mounted, removable, fixed, having both functional and decorative qualities. They can withstand heavy loads and are quite spacious. To decorate the interior, there are decorative shelves of various shapes and sizes for displaying miniature accessories, emphasizing the subtleties of the interior style.

A corner white shelf that occupies the most inconvenient space in the room is considered a practical and universal model. Thanks to color, it visually moves the walls away, making the room more spacious. Usually it is a multi-level structure on which numerous items are stored. Its horizontal planes allow you to place the necessary things neatly and easily accessible.

If you approach the choice creatively, it is easy to find white shelves in the WESTWING collection for any interior style. It’s easy to create a designer composition from beautiful products and decorate its room. The original ensemble will transform the simplest setting into a spectacular one with a touch of chic and presentability. Purchasing will become even more affordable if you become a member of our sales that take place on any day. Promotions and attractive discounts will make your purchase cheaper and make it much more enjoyable.