A wall decorated with a series of shelves may seem like the simplest solution in the world—until you find yourself staring at the wall with a drill in one hand and a level in the other and realize that perhaps the shelves you bought on impulse should have been a little shorter or longer, as the case may be.
First lesson not to forget : the arrangement of the shelves must always follow a basic plan, whether this is just outlined in your head, or sketched on a piece of paper.
In this article you will find the golden rules for arranging shelves and some diagrams to copy .
At what height should the shelves be placed?
One of the fateful questions that torments anyone who finds themselves struggling with the installation of a shelf is: at what height do I mount it?
The answer is not always clear, but in these cases anthropometric measurements come to your aid.
Anthropometric measurements are measurements of the human body used to design spaces, furniture and objects so that they are comfortable, functional and safe for most people. In practice, dimensions such as eye height, height of raised or extended hands, depth of arms and legs are studied to understand how we interact with our surroundings.
Shelves should be positioned in accordance with our height and habits , so as to be ergonomic, safe and harmonious.
These measurements also implicitly tell you what is best to put on each shelf.
Here are the key measures to consider:
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medium eye height (about 150–160 cm from the ground): this is the ideal spot to place decorative objects or books that you want to keep in sight.
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maximum height reachable with the arms (approximately 190–200 cm) : beyond this threshold, a shelf becomes difficult to use without a stool.
- comfortable height for grabbing an object (approximately 120–140 cm) : perfect for the most used shelves, those at the base of the composition.
If the shelves are positioned too high or too low, in addition to losing functionality, they risk aesthetically unbalancing the entire harmony of the wall.
Here are the measurements to keep in mind when composing shelves.
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The lowest shelf should be about 120–140 cm from the floor , comfortable to reach even without effort.
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The top shelf is positioned around 180–200 cm from the floor , depending on the height of the ceiling and the objects you want to display.
- Leave at least 35–45 cm of space between shelves to maintain airiness and styling freedom.
If there is a piece of furniture underneath:
- start with the first shelf 25–40 cm above the furniture ;
- the second shelf can rise another 30–40 cm , following a harmonious proportion.
The trick : look at the wall as a whole. The shelves must not only be comfortable, but also well-integrated into the visual rhythm of the space.
After talking about ergonomics and functionality, let's move on to the most fun part, the aesthetic one. Here are some schemes to take inspiration from and suggestions for a harmonious composition.
1. Linear scheme: equal and aligned shelves
It's the most balanced choice, the one that will never tire you.
A series of identical shelves, aligned and mounted with a regular distance between them , is easy to manage and always harmonious, even with different objects. If the shelves are very long they become a real scenography that captures the eye.
If you choose this arrangement:
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you don't need architects , a good level is enough;
- ideal above desks or low furniture ;
- You can fill a small empty wall (such as the portion of wall between two adjacent doors) with a series of aligned shelves to give it character.
- If there is no furniture under the shelves , you can position the first shelf even lower than the standard 120 cm .
2. Do you have a piece of furniture under the shelves? Then it dictates the rules
The shelves must have a width equal to or less than that of the cabinet and a depth always less than that of the furniture underneath.
Here are the golden rules to follow in these cases.
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Align the cabinet and shelves perfectly . If the shelves are the same width as the cabinet, then you can align them in the center.
If they are smaller or of different sizes, you can align them with one of the sides of the furniture underneath (as in the image below).
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How to match shelves and furniture underneath? It is always better to differentiate materials and colors. If everything is too coordinated, nothing stands out.
The only exception? When you want the shelves and cabinet to disappear into the wall, you can choose the same color for the wall, the shelves, and the cabinet.
By the way, did you know that every shelf designed by Hiro has a RAL code? If you want to use the same color as a Hiro piece of furniture for the walls of your home, you just need to tell the paint shop the RAL color. Here you can find all the codes and color samples .
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Clear roles: who is in charge? The piece of furniture is the protagonist. The shelves complete it, but they must not compete for attention. A complement (the shelves) can enhance a piece of furniture, but never steal the scene .
Alveo 40 cm shelves and Lido sideboard
3. Shelves in a niche? Make use of all the space
Wall niches are perfect for enhancing with shelves and decor.
If there is no furniture underneath , filling them entirely with shelves creates a custom-made, tidy and welcoming bookcase effect.
If, however, the niche contains furniture that partially occupies it, respecting the proportions of the furniture underneath will create an orderly effect.
Alveo 60 cm shelves and Milo coat rack
4. Staggered pattern? Only with criteria
Staggered shelves look creative, but are much more difficult to manage.
They require an even more careful study of the objects to be displayed and a balanced arrangement.
When they work well:
- if the composition is harmonious and proportionate to the wall;
- if you have few objects to display , well selected;
- if you fill the shelves only with books .
Avoid if: you love symmetry, you love visual order.
5. Empty wall furnished with shelves: when they become protagonists
A completely empty wall is a blank canvas . If you decide to furnish it with just shelves, then those shelves need to have character to spare .
No anonymous solutions chosen only to fill, " because something was needed ". Here the shelves are no longer a support, but the main decorative element.
They must capture the eye, arouse curiosity, give rhythm and movement to the space.
If the wall is empty and you want to furnish it only with shelves, better a few but iconic ones, rather than many and super minimal.
Play with solids and voids ;
- alternate books, objects, paintings placed on the table;
- leave some empty space on the shelves (negative space enhances what's left).
By the way, if you are looking for ideas to decorate an empty wall, read also: How to enhance an empty wall: 4 ideas to copy and shopping list .
Decorative shelves in the bedroom
The bedroom deserves a small chapter of its own. Here the shelves are a perfect mix of function and play .
They must not only contain: they must tell .
You can use wave shelves or rounded and colored shelves. The trick is not to overfill them and think vertically.
Winning ideas:
- a row of shelves above the bed to display favorite books;
- colors that coordinate with the room's palette (or contrast to add energy).
In the bedroom, the height of the shelves should be considered based on the child's age, height and use .
Here anthropometry comes into play again: the science that studies the measurements of the human body to design spaces and objects to the size of a real person.
Children 3–6 years
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Eye height : approx. 95–105 cm
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Accessible shelves : between 100 and 120 cm from the ground
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High shelves (decorative only) : above 150 cm
Practical note : in the early years, it is advisable to avoid installations below 100 cm from the ground. In this age group, children are short and full of energy, and there is always the risk that they will bang their heads or use the shelves to climb.
Children 6–10 years
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Eye height: between 110 and 125 cm
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Daily use shelves: 110–130 cm
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High shelves for less used items: 140–160 cm
Boys 11+ / Pre-teens
- Now close to adult height, 130–150 cm eye height
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Daily use shelves : between 120 and 150 cm
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High shelves : 160–180 cm, to be managed with the help of a stool or for decorative purposes.
Each wall has its own rules, but the most important thing is to make shelves, furniture and objects talk to each other.
There is no need to overdo it: just a few well-arranged elements are enough.
