“It’s really clear to me that you can’t hang onto something longer than its time. Ideas lose certain freshness, ideas have a shelf life, and sometimes they have to be replaced by other ideas.”
Alan Alda
If you take a moment and look around your home you’ll probably spot at least one shelf hanging or leaning on a wall. You put it somewhere you can place some knick knacks that either someone gave you or you bought on a trip, items that hold memories and often strike up a conversation between you and your guests. Shelves are used for so many reasons, and in your home they are not only practical but as I discovered throughout my research and my own home designs, their limitations can in fact spark creativity. So don’t limit yourself to the “typical” shelf, be creative and use them to not only hold and display items, but use them as wall art or a decoration no matter where they end up in your home.
This do-it-yourselfer cut the majority of these suitcases off and secured them onto the wall with typical brackets and screws. Then once secured to the wall they instantly become shelves! A great way to recycle those old suitcases that are collecting dust in your attic.
Here is another great way to use items that might just be collecting dust or taking up room. By cutting off a small end table or coffee table and securing them to the wall not only can you create wall art but a grand focal point for your room. These photos show DIY shelves that make an impressive and functional shelving unit.
Wall decals have really made a design splash lately. By adding a few additional personal touches like the added shelves and bird feeder to the tree, it really makes this wall art 3 dimensional and a more functional element in the room.
Using a shelf above a bed is a great way to make a statement and create a makeshift headboard or the illusion of one. Although I am not a fan of the red pillows used in this picture, I am a fan of the shelf and the crystal knobs.
I created a similar look, although I already have a headboard our cathedral ceilings required a large fixture over our bed to fill up the wall. I loved this shelf and the bar attached to it required some sort of hanging objects. I first found the B in a barn antique store and from there I decided to find each of our initials and hang them from the bar. Surprisingly it wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. It took me a month or so to find all the letters but I am pleased with the end result.
This old TV is another perfect example of a creative way to get new life from an item that no longer has any use.
In a child’s room, books in particular can consume floor space and having shelves is the best way to keep all those books and items organized.
There are so many creative and unique ways to make shelves or use shelves in our homes. Next time you are walking back and forth in the aisle of a Bed Bath and Beyond or similar store looking for a typical white shelf to put a candle or book on, take a step back and think of some of the items you are currently not using in your home and how you might be able to use those as shelves instead.
Until Next Time, Happy Designing!
