It may be a problem to know the best way to adorn cabinets, however this foolproof components will train you the best way to fashion cabinets fantastically very quickly!

Not lengthy after we moved into our home, we put in an leisure unit (made with IKEA’s BESTA system) with a bunch of open shelving in our lounge, and since then, nearly each time I present a photograph of it, somebody asks, “Are you able to do a publish about the way you adorn cabinets in your lounge?”
Nicely, right this moment is the day! Yippee!

Once I re-styled my cabinets for summer season, I took photographs of every step so I can break down the method and make it simple to copy in your personal residence.
This identical course of would work for styling floating cabinets, a bookcase (which might clearly find yourself with extra books than mine!), the highest of a buffet or principally any space the place you’d wish to create slightly show in your house!

Seize our free organizing information, 7 Easy Beginning Factors!
This fast information provides you 7 easy, sensible methods to start to deal with an amazing organizing challenge. (And when you get began, the momentum will enable you preserve going till it’s full!)
Find out how to Beautify Cabinets the Straightforward Approach!
This publish accommodates affiliate hyperlinks. For extra data, see my disclosures right here.
1. Take All the things Off of the Cabinets

I like to begin with a clean slate, so even when I’m going to be utilizing the same shade scheme, I at all times begin by taking all the things off of the cabinets. This permits me to get a clearer total image of the area so I can resolve what goes the place.
2. Determine on a Coloration Scheme, Accumulate Gadgets to Beautify Cabinets
I need my cabinets to look unified and polished, so the following factor I do is resolve on a shade scheme or theme for them. This doesn’t should be tremendous strict, however it’s good if there’s a basic overarching theme to tie the look collectively.
For my summer season cabinets, I made a decision to go together with my favourite mint, aqua, and white mixture for a beachy really feel to go together with the summer season season.
What ought to I placed on my cabinets?

As soon as I’ve selected the look I’m going for, I am going round my home and acquire a bunch of things that may match nicely in my vignette.
A number of the issues that I take advantage of to fill my cabinets embody:
- Vegetation (largely fake for me on account of my black thumb 😉 )
- Books
- Vases, pitchers, bowls, baskets, and different vessels
- Vase fillers
- Image frames
- Small mirrors
- Letters or monograms
- Candles
- Coasters and stands so as to add peak
- Lanterns
- Demijohns
- Small sculptures
- Orbs
- Different ornamental objects
I attempt to acquire extra gadgets than I feel I’ll really want in order that I’ve plenty of choices to select from.
3. Begin by Inserting Flat, Leaning Gadgets on the Cabinets (Frames, Mirrors, And many others.)
As soon as I’ve collected all of my gadgets, it’s time to begin refilling my cabinets! I like to begin with what I name “leaners,” flat-ish gadgets like frames and mirrors that lean towards the again of the cabinets and create a background for my different objects. Layering is the important thing to creating the cabinets look fascinating and giving them dimension, so these leaners kind our very first layer.

As you possibly can see, I attempted to make it fascinating by mixing in frames of various heights, shapes, sizes, and finishes, together with mirrors, letters, and monograms to create my background layer.
What ought to I put in image frames?
One factor that may be a problem when coping with “leaners” is determining what to place within the image frames! I might need frames which might be the proper measurement and form to fill an area, however what do I put in them?! Listed here are some simple and cheap concepts:
- Wrapping paper
- Scrapbook paper
- Wallpaper scraps
- Reward baggage (I’ve used Anthropologie baggage in frames a couple of occasions!)
- Stunning playing cards you’ve obtained
- Youngsters’ artwork
- Your authentic artwork
- Leaves or dried flowers
- Feathers
- Previous guide pages
- Vintage paperwork like marriage or beginning certificates from ancestors which will have been handed down
- Free printables (Search on Pinterest– there are a ton!)
- Bought printables (I often look on Artistic Market and Etsy.)
- Significant images (in fact!)
4. Add Tall Objects on the Ends of the Cabinets
That is in all probability considerably of a private choice factor, however after my leaners are in place, I like so as to add tall objects on the ends of my cabinets. Having taller objects on the ends helps to visually “body in” every shelf and make it look extra intentional and full. I don’t put a tall object on each single finish, however I add them in on most cabinets.

I’ll often have to regulate my leaners as I’m placing the tall objects into place, and that’s okay! It’s all about making an attempt issues out and seeing what works the place!
Fast Tip!
If I’ve an merchandise that I wish to use but it surely’s not fairly tall sufficient by itself, I’ll use a couple of coasters, books, or slightly cupcake stand (you’ll find them for $1 on the Goal Greenback Spot!) so as to add some additional peak like I did with the blue mason jar, fake flowers, and mint bowl within the picture under.

5. Fill within the Gaps on the Cabinets
That is the place the method turns into slightly extra “artwork” than “science.” After I place my leaners and my tall gadgets on the ends, I take advantage of the ornamental gadgets I’ve left to fill within the center areas of the cabinets and create extra layers.

Whereas plenty of that is simply trial and error– placing issues in place and seeing if I like how they give the impression of being– there are a couple of basic pointers that I take note:
Selection is vital when adorning cabinets.
I attempt to fluctuate the dimensions, form, and peak of objects on anyone shelf so that every shelf appears extra “collected” and fascinating, relatively than simply having a bunch of objects which might be comparable positioned collectively.
The attention likes odd numbers.
For some motive, our eyes have a tendency to love groupings of wierd numbers, so I are likely to create teams of three or 5 and even 7 objects after I’m adorning my cabinets.
On every of the cabinets under, there are 5 objects (with the lidded container + cupcake stand counting as a single unit) of various shapes, sizes, and heights so as to add depth and curiosity to the cabinets.

Add “repeaters” to unify the cabinets.
I attempt to have a couple of sorts of objects that I repeat all through my show so as to add consistency and pull the look collectively.
On this shelf show, for instance, I’ve plenty of blue glass, touches of gold, white frames, fake florals, and even rope/twine that repeats on a number of of the cabinets.

As they are saying, “Guidelines had been meant to be damaged,” so these are actually not onerous and quick guidelines, however they’re good pointers to come back again to, significantly if you happen to’re feeling caught or if a shelf doesn’t look fairly proper however you possibly can’t determine why.

The place to Discover Gadgets to Beautify Cabinets
My assortment of ornamental gadgets has grown over time. At this level I’ll usually be capable to fill my cabinets with out shopping for something new, but when I do want a couple of additional items to fill within the gaps, my go-to locations for locating fairly gadgets are often:
- Pastime Foyer
- Michael’s
- HomeGoods/ TJ Maxx
- Goal (The Greenback Spot usually has cute and cheap “filler” items, they usually often have some enjoyable choices for vase fillers as nicely.)
- IKEA (I particularly love their frames and faux crops.)
- Amazon

In order that’s my course of! I hope that breaking it down step-by-step made it simple to observe and repeat in your personal residence! I feel styling cabinets can also be a type of issues that comes with follow, too– the longer I do it, the extra I understand what I like and don’t like by myself cabinets.


Find out how to Beautify Cabinets: Often Requested Questions
What are your favourite shelf styling ideas? I’d love to listen to them within the feedback under!
In the event you’re on the lookout for much more ideas for styling completely different areas of your private home, the posts under could also be useful:
Have an exquisite day!

This publish accommodates affiliate hyperlinks. For extra data, see my disclosures right here.
Leave a Reply