How to Style Cube Shelves

Co-authored by Karen Parziale and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: August 25, 2021 References

Cube shelves are a great way to organize clutter and keep your home looking stylish. These popular storage solutions are a great place to keep books, knick knacks, jewelry, and dishware. We’ve compiled some styling tips so you can arrange your items beautifully and create the statement piece of your dreams.

Method 1

Method 1 of 11:
Pick a color palette.

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Make your shelves look more cohesive by sticking with particular colors. Try to pick about 4 colors that work well together and repeat them often throughout your shelves. You can choose colors that mimic what’s in your décor already, or you can make your cube shelves a statement piece with bright, eye-catching colors.^{[1]
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- You could try using neons, pastels, primary colors, or earth tones.
- If you’re working with books, this might not be super easy. You can choose whether or not to follow a color palette on a bookshelf.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 11:
Mix and match shapes.

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Shelves full of similar shapes and styles can look drab. Instead of using all circles, all triangles, or all squares, fill up your cubes with a little bit of everything.^{[2]
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- For instance, you could put a square shaped vase up top with a circular dish on the bottom.
- Or, try a rectangular picture frame on one shelf and an oval shadow box on the other.

Method 3

Method 3 of 11:
Use a variety of textures.

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Too much of the same texture can get overwhelming. Instead, try to fill each cube with something a little bit different. Use soft textures here, hard textures there, and don’t be afraid to mix it up!^{[3]
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- For example, you could put a vase with flowers in one cube and stack a few wool blankets in another cube.
- Or, put a few fancy plates in one cube and use some cloth bins in another cube.
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Method 4

Method 4 of 11:
Utilize negative space.

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Don’t feel like you have to fill up every inch of your cube shelving. You can leave some cubes completely empty if you want to! Or, put a few small trinkets in the center of one shelf to leave the rest of it open. This will help your shelves look more intentional and a little less messy.^{[4]
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- Try putting a small succulent on one shelf to draw attention to the negative space around it.

Method 5

Method 5 of 11:
Group items in bowls or stacks.

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You can put knick knacks, dishware, or jewelry on your cube shelves. Hold small items in decorative bowls and stack larger items on top of each other for an effortlessly chic look.^{[5]
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- Try a boho chic look by putting knick knacks into a wooden bowl or serving tray.
- Stack soft blankets or sweaters on top of each other to keep them neat.
- Pile dishware on top of itself for an easy way to keep it contained.
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Method 6

Method 6 of 11:
Frame eye-catching pieces.

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Pick out a vintage print, fun photo, or a homemade collage. Put your item into a frame and set it on your cube shelf for a beautiful, eye-catching arrangement.^{[6]
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- You can put as many framed items on your shelves as you’d like!
- Try displaying some fun family photos or artwork from your children for a sweet touch.

Method 7

Method 7 of 11:
Add a natural element with potted plants.

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Grab a few small pots that align with your color scheme. Try small succulents or cactuses for a few easy houseplants that don’t need much care.^{[7]
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- Try putting one plant on each shelf to draw attention to it.
- You could even put a few potted plants on the top of your cube shelving unit.
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Method 8

Method 8 of 11:
Lay books horizontally.

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You don’t have to stack all of your books vertically. Instead, add some visual interest by putting a stack of horizontal books into a cube shelf. This can help fill up empty space if your shelving is looking a little bare.^{[8]
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- You can mix it up by adding some books horizontally and some vertically. It’s all about keeping your shelving interesting!

Method 9

Method 9 of 11:
Decorate with items from your hobby.

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Put your favorite activity on display in your cube shelves. If you’re into photography, try storing your extra lenses on one of the shelves. If you really like board games, keep some dice or a few game boards on another shelf. Personalize your shelving so it really feels like your own.^{[9]
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- Displaying your items on a shelf rather than storing them in boxes or bins can make them more accessible, too.
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Method 10

Method 10 of 11:
Use the cubbies for storage.

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If you have kids, this is a great way to keep them organized. You can assign everyone their own shelf to take care of and keep track of. They can put their shoes, coats, clothes, or toys inside of each one.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Karen Parziale
Home Stager & Interior Designer
Expert Interview. 30 June 2021.} When they need something, they can grab it right out of the cubby!^{[11]
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- This is a great way to teach children about organization and cleaning up after themselves.
- Try to let your kids organize their cubby however they’d like to.

Method 11

Method 11 of 11:
Hide clutter with cloth bins.

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Slide a cloth bin into each cube and use them to store toys or clothes. Cloth bins can really make your shelving look chic and neat, even if you have a ton of stuff inside them.^{[12]
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Expert Source

Karen Parziale
Home Stager & Interior Designer
Expert Interview. 30 June 2021.}^{[13]
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- Pick out bins that either match your overall color palette or the color of the room.
- This is a great solution for a messy kid’s room or playroom.
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Community Q&A

Question

How do you use cube shelves in a bathroom?

Karen Parziale
Home Stager & Interior Designer
Karen Parziale is a Home Stager, Home Organizer, and the Founder of The Real Estate Staging Studio based in Hoboken, New Jersey. Karen has over 15 years of home staging and decorating experience and has staged over 5,000 homes. She specializes in project management, space planning, material selections and builder/architect/client relationships

Karen Parziale

Home Stager & Interior Designer

Expert Answer

You might put your hair products in 1 cube, like your flat iron, hairbrushes, and hair products. Then, you could dedicate another cube toward your skincare products, like your cotton balls, makeup remover, and moisturizer. Make sure each cube is organized according to a specific category.
Question

How do you use cube shelves in the kitchen?

Karen Parziale
Home Stager & Interior Designer
Karen Parziale is a Home Stager, Home Organizer, and the Founder of The Real Estate Staging Studio based in Hoboken, New Jersey. Karen has over 15 years of home staging and decorating experience and has staged over 5,000 homes. She specializes in project management, space planning, material selections and builder/architect/client relationships

Karen Parziale

Home Stager & Interior Designer

Expert Answer

You could use 1 cube for all of your snacks, and another for paper products and paper bags. Then, you might use your third cube to store some water bottles.
Question

Is there an ideal way to organize cube shelves?

Karen Parziale
Home Stager & Interior Designer
Karen Parziale is a Home Stager, Home Organizer, and the Founder of The Real Estate Staging Studio based in Hoboken, New Jersey. Karen has over 15 years of home staging and decorating experience and has staged over 5,000 homes. She specializes in project management, space planning, material selections and builder/architect/client relationships

Karen Parziale

Home Stager & Interior Designer

Expert Answer

Not really. I recommend using each cube for a distinct type of use or item, but other than that the world is your oyster. This is one of the main reasons people really love cube shelves; they're super versatile.
Question

What's the main benefit of cube shelves over a dresser?

Karen Parziale
Home Stager & Interior Designer
Karen Parziale is a Home Stager, Home Organizer, and the Founder of The Real Estate Staging Studio based in Hoboken, New Jersey. Karen has over 15 years of home staging and decorating experience and has staged over 5,000 homes. She specializes in project management, space planning, material selections and builder/architect/client relationships

Karen Parziale

Home Stager & Interior Designer

Expert Answer

You can see everything without opening the drawers! If you have a bunch of different items, you may need to dig through multiple shelves to find whatever you need. With the cube shelves, you can just see everything out in the open. The cubes look a little more contemporary than a traditional dresser as well, which is great if you're going for a more modern look.