Shannon Miller's living room shelves are a masterclass in styling. The balanced, pared-back scheme draws the eye backward and elevates the entire space.
The former Olympian's living room shelving starts with simple built-ins painted white. On the shelves on either side of the fireplace rows of photo graphs and books bring a personalized feel to the room. Glass sculptures and metallic votives add an intentionally designed edge.
'By balancing functionality with some design tips, you can make your bookshelf an integral part of your room’s decor while maintaining a curated, stylish appearance,' says Claire Garner, principal interior designer. She continues: 'Ensure there are gaps between items to avoid a cluttered appearance, giving each piece room to stand out.' Miller's storage idea perfectly satisfies this tip.
Her space teaches us that styling a bookcase starts with its namesake: books. Priyanshi Jain, founder of Pixels and Spaces, says: 'Styling a bookshelf is not a tough task. Try organizing books according to their genre, size, and color, as it gives a sense of continuity. You can also stock up books horizontally to add depth and space to the area. Just make sure not to overcrowd the shelf with books or any other items.' Garner adds: 'Mix in items of different heights and textures to add depth. Group books by color to create a cohesive and organized look.'
However, decorating shelves goes beyond the simple act of lining up books. Jain states: 'Do not just stick to books to be arranged on the shelves. Allow small planters, vases, and other decorative items to take up the space and style them. Play with the heights and widths of the objects to create a dynamic look. You can also lean some books at different angles to create visual interest.' As seen in Shannon Miller's space, shelves look best when broken up with metallic, glass, and white accents.
Shop the Edit
Though there are millions of ways to style your shelves, this edit is inspired by Shannon Miller's minimal design. The simple look makes it easy to avoid common open shelving mistakes. Our editors love these glass sculptures from Amazon, which provide a modern touch at a reasonable price without bringing in additional color. We picked these white books for the same intentional, polished look as Miller's home. Hurricane glasses are perfect for featuring candles on a wintery night, or for bringing a metallic edge to white shelves when they're not in use.
These knot-like sculptures are perfect for adding a touch of visual interest, neutrally
These decorative books are perfect for grounding a space and keeping it neutral.
These cylindrical hurricane glasses bring a metallic touch to the room while letting light shine through
If you are hoping to recreate the look, it's important to pay attention to how the space is lit, as well as what's on the shelves themselves. Jain advises: 'Lighting is important to make any place lively and inviting. Place lamps or other lights strategically on the shelves or near them to provide adequate lighting. A good amount of light enhances the visuals and helps with reading without straining the eyes.' Styling is about elevating the space, and adequate lighting is an essential part of the equation.
Further, rather than blindly recreating someone else's scheme, the most interesting shelf styling comes through with attention to your style. Bringing personality into your home is always a good idea. 'Incorporate personal items such as family photos or travel souvenirs to make the space feel unique and personal,' says Garner.
Shannon Miller's shelves demonstrate a stylish, minimalist approach to shelf styling. By following the lessons embodied in her space, recreating the look is easy.
