Regardless of where you live or your design aesthetic, knowing how to build wall shelves will offer you the rare opportunity to create practical storage while giving your space a makeover at a fraction of the cost of buying a new piece of furniture. Adding shelving to your home is an easy way to display art, keep valuable china out of harm’s way, or just expand your general storage space.

• Mix Materials

Don’t be shy about mixing materials when building your shelves. A subtle way to combine wood and metal is by matching them; this means lighter wood with lighter metal and darker wood stains with darker metals.

• Hide Your Mounting System

For a clean and minimalist look, consider hiding your shelf mounts by using hidden metal supports mounted to blocking behind the wall.

• Don’t Underestimate Prefabricated Shelves

Prefabricated shelving are a good DIY starter project and lets you avoid having to use heavy-duty power tools like table saws and nail guns.

• Use Identical Materials for a Contemporary Look

Contemporary shelving doesn’t have to be bold or colorful. You can create shelving that perfectly blends in with its surroundings and then add layers with artwork and books. Incorporating art into bookshelves gives an opportunity to layer pattern and color and give your styling arrangements a little height. There are plenty of incredible sources for prints, but if you are feeling extra creative—pick up a paintbrush and try a little DIY abstract art yourself.

• Ceiling’s the Limit

If you have a room with tall ceilings, view it as an opportunity for extra storage. Wall shelving can deliver on both form and function. We recommend installing modular shelving that you can move around to fit your current accessories, be it art, books, or vessels. We also love installing a library ladder if you have higher ceilings. This can grant you full usability of your up-high shelving. Keep the backs of your shelving a neutral color to have the ladder pop.

• Upgrade Standard Floating Shelves

Standard floating shelves are often flat, but if you want something more unique that doesn’t look basic, you can add short vertical edges to ends for a traditional feel. This simple change can be done with leftover materials and a miter saw. Simply cut your desired height and secure with finish nails.

• Show Off Your Stuff with Clear Shelves

Full disclosure: Clear shelves are typically not feasible to build from scratch at home. However, purchasing and mounting prefabricated units provide economical and stylish home decor options for most rooms and a way to avoid any complicated carpentry.

• Think About Other Storage Solutions

To create a vintage, lived-in feel in your spaces, you can have a shelving similar to kitchen cabinetry to showcase a collection of pottery, collected items, and tea towels. The open shelving helps to open up the space as we want to avoid something that feels like a heavy mass. You can design the bottom shelves below the countertop to slide out so that these ledges become more functional for arranging florals or having extra counter space.

• Brackets & Clamps are Your Friend

An easy way to add personality and secure your floating shelves is by adding brackets. They come in a variety of styles and colors, so your options are limitless. It’s best to use them as an opportunity for contrast or match them to other metal accents in the room.

• Create Visual Interest with Wallpaper

If you decide to play it safe with monochromatic shelving that blends in with its surroundings, consider using wallpaper to subtly elevate the design of your shelves. You may use a wallpaper to add depth and visual interest. It is recommended to select a small-scale print to add dimension without overpowering the space.

• Lighting is Crucial

An often overlooked part of creating shelving is the lighting of the shelves after. Pay special attention to ensure that there is a light source directly above the shelves to draw attention to the objects. Custom bookcases don’t have to break the bank—you can actually use paint-grade plywood to great effect with a really good paint job that is topped off with interesting hardware and lighting.