Decorating Built In Shelves Vol. 1

I think most of us struggle with decorating our built in shelves. Or, maybe it’s just me, hahaha. I feel like it’s a struggle between having personal items and items that are just decorative yet still spark joy.

Peter also likes to insert his opinion on the shelves (insert rolling eye emoji!!) saying he doesn’t want tchotchkes up there, but things with meaning. I hear ya, but not all of our meaningful things fit up there and if I am being completely honest, look good up there. And, call it vain, but I want to look up there and LOVE the way it all comes together. So, for me, it’s a combination of the meaningful things + “tchotchkes” (I am rolling my eyes again…I’d prefer to call them necessary decorative items)

So, I began with the personal, meaningful items…those are my anchors. On this shelf, it’s the picture of Peter and I on our wedding day, pictures of the kids, the bowl and the binoculars.

The bowl was made by my cousin’s husband Mike (the person I use for all of my cutting boards and who also did our butcher block on our island) and worked perfectly on a set of books. The binoculars did as well.

You may have also picked up on me moving things around the house. I did have the binoculars on the coffee table, but realized they were a target for the kids to play with. They are Peter’s father’s and too special (and functional) for the kids to play with them.

The pictures need something around them to give it some dimension, so I added the plant with the kids’ pictures and the gold accent piece for Peter and I.

Also, coffee table books are great bases to build off of. I use them literally all throughout my house – built in shelves in our living room, built ins in our master bedroom, the foyer console table, a side table in the wet bar, our kitchen…you get it!!

Here is a list of the ones on this shelf that are still available. Each of them mean something to me whether it’s fashion, travel or interior design…my 3 jams.

Chanel — When Art Meets Design — The Year of Cozy — The Big Book of Chic — From the Land — Iconic Dresses — Cupcakes and Cashmere — Valentino — Paris Street Style

“Tchotchkes” – gold round accent piece — natural wooden vases — wedding silver frame (ON SALE, use code EARTHDAY) — kids’ silver frames (ON SALE, use code EARTHDAY)

I hope this post gives you some inspiration with decorating your built ins. AND, if you have any tips you use, please share!!! Now that we are home 24/7, I am looking at the shelves A LOT and changing things up quite a bit!!