How to Decorate Glass Shelves

Co-authored by Kanika Khurana and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: August 25, 2021 References

Glass shelves are beautiful in their own right, but they can look a bit bare on their own. Don’t worry! Whether your shelves are in your kitchen, bathroom, or another living space, you have plenty of decorative options at your disposal.

Method 1

Method 1 of 13:
Choose monochromatic decor.

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Pick decorations that are all the same color. This gives your shelves a cohesive, minimalist look that can really tie your space together. As you decorate, play around with tones that fit well with your room’s color scheme.^{[1]
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- You might arrange white seashells and pieces of white coral on your glass shelves for a consistent look.
- You could display a row of clear glasses on your shelves as a simple, elegant touch.

Method 2

Method 2 of 13:
Arrange multiple plants.

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Indoor plants add a tasteful, minimalist touch to your shelving. Pick out fake plants if you’d prefer low-maintenance decor, or spruce up your living space with some small, potted plants.^{[2]
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- For example, a small container of fake grass or a viney plant could be great additions to your shelves.
- Aloe, pothos ivy, jade plants, and snake plants are all beautiful, low-maintenance houseplants that could look great in your home.^{[3]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 13:
Stack your books.

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Split some of your favorite books into smaller piles. Place these piles on different sections of your shelves to create a studious, elegant look. To make your design a little more uniform, arrange your books in equal-size stacks along your shelving.^{[4]
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- For instance, you might stack a thick book on top of 2 thinner books in each of your piles.

Method 4

Method 4 of 13:
Arrange sentimental pictures.

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Frame some of your favorite family pictures. Slide these frames onto your glass shelf to give your living space a personalized touch.^{[6]
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- Any kind of sentimental photo can really personalize a living space, whether it’s a picture of a pet, a good friend, or your favorite vacation spot.
- You can always lean the picture frames against the wall if they don't stay up on their own.^{[7]
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Method 5

Method 5 of 13:
Display a vase of flowers.

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Pick a bunch of fake flowers as a simple, low-maintenance decoration. For a seamless look, choose flowers that mesh well with the color scheme in your living space.^{[8]
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- For example, a bunch of fake, white flowers could be an elegant addition to your shelf.
- If you don’t mind watering them, fresh flowers can be a refreshing addition to your glass shelves. However, you’ll have to replace these as they wilt.

Method 6

Method 6 of 13:
Put your collections on full display.

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Glass bottles, rocks, and other small items make great decorations. Group them together on your glass shelves so everyone can admire them in your home.^{[9]
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- You might arrange some precious stones on your shelf, or show off your candle collection.

Method 7

Method 7 of 13:
Store bathroom toiletries.

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Stay prepared with towels, toilet paper, soap, and other toiletries. You never know when you’ll need a spare towel, or when your shower gel bottle is going to run out. That’s where your toiletry shelf comes in! Stock the shelf with plenty of toiletries so you, a flatmate, or a guest all have easy access.^{[10]
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- You might place a few stacks of towels on these shelves, along with wash rags and several bars of soap.
- You could also have extra containers of hand soap in case you run out.

Method 8

Method 8 of 13:
Arrange your shoes and accessories.

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Sort your shoes and accessories by type or color on the shelves. You might put your formal shoes on one part of the shelf, or place your handbags on another section. It all depends on what you have on hand!^{[11]
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- For instance, you might arrange several pairs of high heels on your shelves.
- You could display some high-quality loafers or tennis shoes on your shelves, as well.

Method 9

Method 9 of 13:
Display nice vases.

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Create a fun color scheme with differently-colored vases. Mix and match different colors and styles to create a vibrant, eye-catching display within your home. This type of display is especially dynamic if you’re working with multiple shelves, since you have the opportunity to create a more extensive pattern.^{[12]
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- You might alternate black and white vases on your shelf, or play around with different styles and shapes.

Method 10

Method 10 of 13:
Show off your dinnerware.

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Treat your glass shelves as extra cabinet space. Set aside your nicest glasses, goblets, bowls, and other nice dinnerware. Display some glasses, plates, and cups that are from the same design or color family to give off a uniform vibe in your living space.^{[13]
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- For instance, you might display a row of identically-colored glasses on your shelf.
- You might stack your favorite china bowls on the shelf, along with your favorite wine goblets.

Method 11

Method 11 of 13:
Set out your perfumes and colognes.

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Arrange your bottles by scent, color, or size along your shelf. If you don’t feel like organizing them in a specific way, that’s fine too! Place these bottles on a shelf near your sink or vanity, or somewhere where they’re easy to access and use.^{[14]
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- For example, you might arrange your biggest bottle toward the back of the shelf, and keep your smallest bottles toward the front.

Method 12

Method 12 of 13:
Create a liquor shelf.

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Stack some glasses and your favorite liquor on the shelf to make an impromptu bar. Place any other drink-making supplies on the shelf as well, like a cocktail mixer.^{[15]
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- If you have multiple glass shelves to work with, place your bottles on the lower shelf and the glasses on top.
- You could also arrange some cocktail glasses on the shelf for easy access when you make your drinks.

Method 13

Method 13 of 13:
Sort your things into storage containers.

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Storage containers are a great option if you’re working with a small space. Sort and categorize your belongings into different baskets or boxes. Then, place those containers on the shelves—this way, you can both save space and prevent clutter.^{[16]
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