How to Decorate a Plant Shelf

Plant shelves aren't limited to holding plants.

A plant shelf can be any type of shelf that is hung to display plants. What separates a plant shelf from other shelves is that it has likely been displayed near or in front of a window where plants can receive good light. If you have inherited a plant shelf in your new home and do not care to raise houseplants, or even if you are a plant enthusiast but would like to add a little pizazz to a prominent shelf, take a cue from your home's main decor style for creative shelf-decorating ideas.

Instructions

1. Display your personal collectibles on a plant shelf. Disperse them among the plants or use the shelf exclusively for your porcelain figurines, sports memorabilia or sentimental items from your childhood.

2. Arrange a variety of shells, driftwood, beach stones and other nautical items to create a seascape among your plants if your home has a beach decor.

3. Take cuttings from some of your plants and put them in elegant crystal vases or decanters you have filled with water. Place filled and empty pieces of crystal on the shelf for a vintage look. Plant the cuttings when they root to expand your house plant collection.

4. Fill several glass apothecary jars with bathroom essentials like cotton balls, swabs and bars of soap and display them on a bathroom plant shelf to add functionality and style to the room. Use the same method for buttons, pins and bobbins for a shelf in your craft/sewing room.

5. Create big design impact by using the shelf to display one large, colorful item, such as a piece of art glass, among your potted plants.

Tips & Warnings

• When displaying collectibles, cluster like items together. An entire shelf of vintage tins has more impact when seen together as opposed to scattering them around the room.

• Think in odd numbers when adding decorative items to your plant shelf. Three candlesticks grouped at one end of the shelf and three plants spread out along the remaining space creates a pleasing tableau. Or think symmetrically. One large candlestick at each end of a shelf and a plant in the center creates a nice balance.

References

• HGTV: Decorating Tips for Shelves and Bookcases