More than storage: 5 decor tips for shelves that turn your walls into storytellers and add personality to your home

Wall treatments, panelling, and wallpapers often set the tone of the interiors, and why wouldn’t they? They grab immediate attention and actively shape first impressions. But here’s the plot twist, as you will realise, the soul of the space actually rests on the shelves. Walls are the skeleton of the room, giving it form, while shelves are the heart, putting memories and tales on display. Shelves may not be absolutely essential as wall treatments of the interiors, but the thing is, without shelves, a home may feel fine, even stylish, just not lived in, polished, but not personal. Without shelves, it stays a house, not a home.

This is why knowing how to style your shelves, and not just stack them, matters more than you realise.

Sanaa Ruia, Creative Director, MAIA Estates, shared with HT Lifestyle a detailed guide on how to style shelves properly so that they become the storytellers of your home: 

Tip: Don’t curate solely for visual harmony. Include pieces with personal meaning, a well-thumbed novel, a keepsake from your travels. Authenticity is key.

Shelves aren’t just decorative; they serve a meaningful purpose. Whether you’re creating a compact library, curating a corner of visual interest, or organising daily-use items, well-conceived shelving brings coherence to a space without demanding floor area.

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