If you visit most homes or offices, shelf systems are typically piled with books and magazines in a way appears messy and disorganized. Because shelves often occupy a great deal of space, the clutter can bring a cluttered look to the entire room. But shelf systems don't need to be an eyesore! The first step in creating a more aesthetically pleasing look is to start with the shelf system itself. A floating shelf or a wider floating mantle shelf allow you to increase the visible presence of the shelf and improves its usability. Next, there are ways that you can arrange objects on the shelf that bring a more decorative look to your home or office space.

Decorative Shelf Systems

Instead of packing your shelves with just books or magazines, use bookends to segment literature and incorporate some decorative pieces between. Small sculptures and pieces of artwork appear prestigious and add a sense of elegance when they are positioned onto a floating shelf. A wide floating mantle shelf is a great spot to display family photos. You can stay strictly to photos in decorative frames or add artistic candles and pottery to add interest to the otherwise sharp geometrical shapes.

Visually Pleasing Organization

Shelving is a fantastic way to bring a sense of chic organization to your home or office. Instead of piling shelves full of books, binders, and magazines, add trendy wicker or sea grass baskets on a floating shelf. If organized in pretty, attractive storage containers, shelves can hold stationary supplies and other little things that have a habit of disappearing in desk drawers.

If you select the appropriate size basket and add them to a floating mantle shelf, they are perfect for media storage and business card holders. Interesting cups and vases make finding pens and pencils so much easier than digging in desk drawers and look amazing also. Larger, rectangular containers or decorative in/out bins can be used to hide files, paperwork, and bills.

Customizable Desks and Tables

Shelf systems also make a great home for equipment and electronics. Not only can you customize the spacing and location of the shelf system to meet your needs perfectly, shelving occupies less floor space than traditional desks and tables. A smaller floating shelf works perfectly for a phone table particularly in places such as a small entryway, or behind a desk where space is a premium. To add some additional decor to the shelf, add miniature potted plants or a small pen set and stationary for notes.

A floating mantle shelf works great for 'holding' wall mounted LCD and plasma TVs. One of the biggest trends is to add a decorative frame to the cabinet of the TV and accenting it on either side with ornamental plates or glassware. The TV looks more like a picture rather than a big piece of plastic stuck in the middle of a bare wall. Using a combination of different shelf sizes together on the wall makes an excellent computer desk that can be adjusted to fit the space available as well as the needs of the equipment.

Shelf systems are more than simple functional items added into your home or office. With a little creativity, you can simply enhance the look and feel of a room or make the space more organized and easier to use.