I am a true believe that you create your own cozy. You know what makes you feel calm and relaxed and what invites you into a space. It is unique for everyone. Styling a vignette or room comes easy to some people. They can look at a space and know exactly what they need for the exactly the look that they want… Others look to emulate a few elements from inspiration online like my blog, Pinterest, or many other visual platforms out there. Regardless of that type of person you are, you should have the tools that you need to create a cozy space specific to you, and I hope to share this little series of what I call “basics” to achieve your version of that magazine worthy space staring with How to Style a Shelf. You can watch a video discussing Balancing and Shelf styling here as well.

There are a few important and basic elements to styling home decor that I use frequently that, once you learn how to apply, can make envisioning those spaces much easier and a lot more fun.

One of my favorite elements of interior design is balance. I like it because it can apply in nearly all areas of design, from an entire room layout to a small shelf like the one I am styling here.

The Liz Marie definition of balance is ensuring the entire spaces visual weight is relatively even from one end to another, always keeping in mind the way the eye travels along the space.

For this shelf, starting from left to right (as you read), you eye starts high with the oversized Aloe plant. And is breezes over to the center of the shelf, it comes down to the rabbit and the landscape painting. The rabbit apron provides texture to space by breaking up the line of the shelf, and then the eye travels back up to the top of the topiary.

Imagine the shelf without another tall piece on the right side… your eye falls off. The balance element found on the shelf, help takes your eye down, across, and then back up. If you look at my design, you will see the eye movement follows a “U” or “W” like shape for horizontal styling like that of a table or bookshelf.

What do you think of this styling basic tip? If you style a space, using my balance tip or tips from my other post, Styling Shelves 101 (link), share it with me on Instagram, Facebook, or here in the comments! Also, we started a Facebook Group, Click HERE to check it out and ask to join. Thank you as always for stopping by the blog today and every other day. Xx Liz Marie

Product Sources

• Rabbit Apron
• Wall Sconce
• Marble Shelf
• Hello There Mug (Find)
• Bronze Rabbit (Find)
• Landscape Art (Find)
• Topiary (Find)