To decorate shelves like a pro, focus on the Rule of Odds by grouping items in sets of three or five, varying the height and texture of your decor, and always leaving negative space to allow the eye to rest. Curating your shelves is about balance and personality, transforming simple storage into a sophisticated statement piece that makes you love where you live.

A house only truly becomes a home when it reflects the people living inside it. At Homes By Connect, our team is dedicated to being a resource for every part of your homeownership journey, from the initial search to the final design flourishes. This month, designer Liz Fuller shares her roadmap for turning “cluttered” into “curated.”

1. The Rule of Odds

When deciding how many items to group together, remember the Rule of Odds, specifically groups of 3, 5, or 7 different things. Decorating with odd numbers feels natural and balanced while adding movement to a room. Even numbers of decor can often appear too symmetrical and static.

While this rule doesn’t have to be applied 100% of the time, it’s a great guideline for the majority of your spaces:

• Avoid the Row: Arrange items in groupings instead of lining them up to create a more organic feel.
• Vary the Visuals: Select items of various heights, shapes, and textures within a grouping to encourage the eye to travel.
• Example: A medium book stack (counts as one item) + a small framed photo + a tall vase = one grouping of three

2. Style with Books

Books are the ultimate styling tool and can be used individually or in stacks to anchor your design.

• The Stack: Two to five books per stack is usually ideal.
• Orientation: You can keep the spines facing out or turned inward for a more neutral, “designer” trend. Stacks can be used both vertically and horizontally.
• The Base: Use a horizontal stack of two books as a base for other decor, such as a candle or a small faux plant.
• Color Blocking: For a bold look, group books by color to create striking color blocks on your shelves.

3. Add Something Green

Greenery makes your shelves come to life. If you lack a green thumb, modern faux plants offer lifelike colors and textures without the maintenance. If you are confident in your gardening skills, living plants add an even higher level of elevation.

PRO TIP: Use a variety of sizes, including upright greenery and trailing vines, to add “life” to different levels of your shelving.

4. Mix Your Materials

Contrast is a key tenet of professional design. Mixing materials allows you to juxtapose structure and form with warmth and texture, keeping your decor from looking flat. Look around your home for hidden treasures like an antique sugar bowl or unique candle holders.

DESIGNER CONTRAST CHEAT SHEET

Hard + Soft: Ceramic or stone mixed with textiles or woven objects.
Smooth + Rough: Glass or pottery paired with wood or wicker.
Shiny + Matte: Mirrors or brass contrasted with stone or textured ceramics.

5. Step Back and Edit

The most important step is the “Edit.” Walk away for a few minutes and come back to assess your first impressions.

• The Photo Test: Take a photo of your shelves. Issues with balance or clutter are often much easier to spot in a photograph than in person.
• Negative Space: Create “breathing room” on your shelves. As Coco Chanel famously advised, “Before leaving the house, look in the mirror and take off one thing.” Decorators urge you to do the same—remove one item from each shelf to ensure it doesn’t feel overwhelmed.

BONUS TIP: Use framed art as decor, but lean them rather than hanging them. This creates a casual, curated gallery feel that is easy to swap out as your style evolves.

Your Home, Our Priority

At our award-winning brokerage, we believe in the power of connection and community. Whether you are prepping your home for sale or settling into a new Rhode Island nest, we are here to provide the expertise you deserve. Let’s connect and talk about your next move.

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About the Author: Elizabeth Fuller

Elizabeth “Liz” Fuller is a Sales Associate with Homes By Connect and The Donovan Group in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. While Liz’s formal background is in real estate, her design expertise comes from a career spent renovating, staging, and preparing homes to shine on the market.

Liz views interior design through the lens of a real estate professional: she knows what buyers love and how small styling choices—like perfectly curated shelving—can transform a house into a home. A self-described “bonafide hobbyist” with a professional edge, Liz uses her staging experience to help clients maximize their home’s potential before it ever hits the MLS.

When she isn’t helping clients navigate the Rhode Island market, you can find her exploring local design trends or working on her latest home renovation project.

Looking for a local expert who knows how to stage your home for success? Connect with Liz Fuller here.