Urban Nest Design Tip of the Week: Open Shelving Made Easy
Stylish Open Shelving Made Easy (With a Little Help From IKEA!)
In this series, we share simple DIY solutions for maximum design impact, brought to you by our very own Agent Andy Barlow.
Have you ever looked at pictures of open shelving on Pinterest or in a design magazine and knew that you wanted some, but didn’t know how to start or how much it might cost you? Well, if so, then here is an easy way to have your own for just $20 per shelf! (and yes, this means you’re heading to IKEA!)
The mix-and-match shelves at IKEA are seriously the easiest and cheapest way to get open shelves in your own home, and if your budget is really tight, you could find even cheaper options there than the $20 ones I got. (Not in love with the brackets and want something a bit more unique? Spray paint the brackets gold or any other color to create a pop of fun).
The next step is making sure they are secure on the wall, so head to the nearest hardware store (take a bracket with you) and find some anchors and screws that will fit. This shouldn't cost you more than a few dollars.
Once you get the shelves up, the fun part begins - decorating! You can put open shelves in literally any room. Not only do they add depth to the wall, they add style and storage, which is especially useful for smaller spaces. See below for some different room ideas.
Living room or bedroom: Add your favorite books, plants, photos, and tchotchkes. Feel free to hang small pieces of art within the shelves to add even more dimension.
Kitchen or dining room: Add your plates, glasses, mugs and more! Open shelving gives you the chance to curate and display your dishes instead of just hiding them away.
OR, use the open shelves to create a bar space!
Any room: Turn them into an indoor garden! This is especially useful for cat owners who feel they can’t have plants because the cat always eats them… though I’ll never put it past a determined cat to find a way to anything.
Take a look at the IKEA options here.
Urban Nest's Design Tip of the Week is written by our own Agent Andy Barlow. He divides his time between real estate and interior design, meaning that he can help you buy a house and decorate it too. Ready to take the leap into a more comfortable space for you and your family? Get in touch with Andy here.