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Shelf Arranging Set the Theme
 Shelves should be eye-catchers, not clutter-catchers. Turn a mess into a masterpiece using a little shelf-arranging know-how. Here are some attention-grabbing arrangement tips.
Keep it neat. With pieces arranged by color, purpose, or size, your displays will enhance rather than clutter your decorating scheme. Well-scaled for the narrow shelf, this arrangement of simple spinning spools from textile mills is orderly and rhythmic.
Support a style. Display collections that reinforce a theme, like this collection of homespun redware pottery. Chrome and Fiestaware mix it up for a retro look; baskets, whirligigs, and primitive wooden bowls combine for casual country.
Arrange Tastefully
Don't overdo. Avoid a jumbled look by giving each object piece some space to shine. Dark frames boldly set off these photographs against a light-color wall. Each photograph is given a generous mat and isn't crowded by other objects so as not to detract from each piece's individual value. The narrow white shelf limits the size of the grouping and doesn't steal the limelight.
Establish balance. Line up like-size objects along a shelf, or think right, left, and center when planning displays. Pieces placed to the left of center should mirror the proportions of those on the right. The balance doesn't have to be exactly symmetrical, but neither side should look heavier than the other. The pitchers, plates, and cup-and-saucer sets in this shelf arrangement are all roughly the same size, but the different shapes and heights add enough variety to make the arrangement visually pleasing.
Spotlight. Install small, puck-size lights or halogen strip lights to highlight your displays. Directing the light adds emphasis to special items. Even inside this glass cabinet, spot lighting attracts the eye to colorful pails.
Use odd numbers. Arrange objects in groups of odd numbers for a more visually dynamic display. Putting these pieces on pedestals adds more height variety for intrigue.
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