31 Most Well Decorated Walls, Cabinets, Shelves You'll Ever See
We've scoured the Houzz archives to find display vignettes that will inspire and delight – so sit back and enjoy!
Georgia Madden
16 August 2018
Stuck for display ideas? Fear not; we’ve gathered together a collection of our all-time favourites from around the globe – from elaborate gallery walls and cleverly transformed under-stair nooks to simple but powerful shelving set-ups – to get your creative juices flowing.
2. Location: Freshwater, NSW
Designer: Prebuilt
Features
Proof that even the most mundane items, when arranged with care, can make for an eye-catching display. Here, grouping similar items together is the key to a successful look.
Designer: Prebuilt
Features
Proof that even the most mundane items, when arranged with care, can make for an eye-catching display. Here, grouping similar items together is the key to a successful look.
3. Location: London, UK
Features
Hats off to whoever thought of this simple yet effective display idea.
Learn how to style dead corners
Features
Hats off to whoever thought of this simple yet effective display idea.
Learn how to style dead corners
4. Location: Boston, USA
Features
A vintage-style bar cart is the perfect accompaniment to a gallery wall of old family pictures.
Features
A vintage-style bar cart is the perfect accompaniment to a gallery wall of old family pictures.
5. Location: Chicago, USA
Features
Recessed display nooks are a subtle yet effective way to visually frame the owners’ collectibles.
Features
Recessed display nooks are a subtle yet effective way to visually frame the owners’ collectibles.
6. Location: Avalon, NSW
Designer: Villa and Villa
Features
There’s no better way to highlight the whites in your artwork than a near-black backdrop.
Designer: Villa and Villa
Features
There’s no better way to highlight the whites in your artwork than a near-black backdrop.
7. Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Features
Okay, strictly speaking this is more storage than display, but we love how the owners have used basic plastic crates to create a standout feature in the heart of their kitchen.
Features
Okay, strictly speaking this is more storage than display, but we love how the owners have used basic plastic crates to create a standout feature in the heart of their kitchen.
8. Location: Macmasters Beach, NSW
Designer: Villa and Villa
Features
The curves in the woven wreath are echoed in the rounded lines of the chair below it, creating a satisfying sense of cohesion.
Designer: Villa and Villa
Features
The curves in the woven wreath are echoed in the rounded lines of the chair below it, creating a satisfying sense of cohesion.
9. Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Designer: Ascot Living
Features
From the rich greens in the artwork and the sumptuous natural timber furniture to the botanical pattern on the sofa, there’s much to love in this tropical-themed set-up.
Find out how to recreate the tropics at home
Designer: Ascot Living
Features
From the rich greens in the artwork and the sumptuous natural timber furniture to the botanical pattern on the sofa, there’s much to love in this tropical-themed set-up.
Find out how to recreate the tropics at home
10. Location: Willoughby, NSW
Designer: Minosa
Features
If you love reading as much as members of this family do, having a library in the kitchen makes perfect sense. The colourful book spines also add some visual punch to the room’s otherwise sleek, understated styling.
Designer: Minosa
Features
If you love reading as much as members of this family do, having a library in the kitchen makes perfect sense. The colourful book spines also add some visual punch to the room’s otherwise sleek, understated styling.
11. Location: South Carolina, USA
Features
Ever wondered what to do with all the artwork your little ones bring home? Here’s an idea.
Features
Ever wondered what to do with all the artwork your little ones bring home? Here’s an idea.
12. Location: Calgary, Canada
Features
Nothing divides decorative opinions quite like book colour-blocking, but on this narrow little bookshelf we think it works a treat.
Here’s a crash course on colour blocking
Features
Nothing divides decorative opinions quite like book colour-blocking, but on this narrow little bookshelf we think it works a treat.
Here’s a crash course on colour blocking
13. Location: Atlanta, USA
Features
Because who said dramatic displays should be limited to your living spaces?
Features
Because who said dramatic displays should be limited to your living spaces?
14. Location: Sydney, NSW
Features
Trapeze-style display shelving is the star of the show in this simple bedroom.
Features
Trapeze-style display shelving is the star of the show in this simple bedroom.
15. Location: Byron Bay, NSW
Features
A cane bar cart is the perfect way to display plants and collectibles in this laid-back, coastal scheme, and it ties in beautifully with the natural vibe of the feathered juju hats above it.
Features
A cane bar cart is the perfect way to display plants and collectibles in this laid-back, coastal scheme, and it ties in beautifully with the natural vibe of the feathered juju hats above it.
16. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: Nest Architects
Features
A simple, graphic set-up; the black-and-white ceiling mirrors the colours in the artwork and frame, creating a pleasing sense of balance.
Designer: Nest Architects
Features
A simple, graphic set-up; the black-and-white ceiling mirrors the colours in the artwork and frame, creating a pleasing sense of balance.
17. Location: Courchevel, France
Features
Sheepskin, timber, stone… is there such a thing as shepherd chic? If so, the owner of this French abode has nailed it. Note how the toys on display fit in perfectly with the black, white and grey theme.
Features
Sheepskin, timber, stone… is there such a thing as shepherd chic? If so, the owner of this French abode has nailed it. Note how the toys on display fit in perfectly with the black, white and grey theme.
18. Location: San Francisco, USA
Features
Funky house-shaped wire hanging shelves, polka dots, stripes and lashings of natural light – an appealing spot for play.
Learn ways to work with pattern
Features
Funky house-shaped wire hanging shelves, polka dots, stripes and lashings of natural light – an appealing spot for play.
Learn ways to work with pattern
19. Location: Queenscliff, NSW
Designer: Jillian Dinkel Designs
Features
White walls and pale floors keep the eye right where the owners want it – on their rustic shelving and huge, show-stopping poster.
Designer: Jillian Dinkel Designs
Features
White walls and pale floors keep the eye right where the owners want it – on their rustic shelving and huge, show-stopping poster.
20. Location: San Diego, USA
Features
Including plenty of breathing space in this floating-shelf arrangement gives the simple tableware here a chance to shine.
Features
Including plenty of breathing space in this floating-shelf arrangement gives the simple tableware here a chance to shine.
21. Location: Gold Coast, Queensland
Designer: Jessie & Jones
Features
A black-painted well sets a moody tone and allows the intricate detailing of the woven bedhead and vintage-style map above it to really stand out.
Designer: Jessie & Jones
Features
A black-painted well sets a moody tone and allows the intricate detailing of the woven bedhead and vintage-style map above it to really stand out.
22. Location: Toronto, Canada
Features
Displaying fluffy animals and books on floating shelves not only keeps the floor and surfaces clear, but adds visual oomph to the space.
Features
Displaying fluffy animals and books on floating shelves not only keeps the floor and surfaces clear, but adds visual oomph to the space.
23. Location: Calgary, Canada
Features
There’s something soothing about deep blue, and here it serves to highlight the owner’s delightful picture arrangement.
Features
There’s something soothing about deep blue, and here it serves to highlight the owner’s delightful picture arrangement.
24. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: Concept Design Colour Finish
Features
An oversized artwork propped on a storage cabinet adds a fun, relaxed touch here. And we love how the floating shelving appears to have been specially sized to accommodate it.
Designer: Concept Design Colour Finish
Features
An oversized artwork propped on a storage cabinet adds a fun, relaxed touch here. And we love how the floating shelving appears to have been specially sized to accommodate it.
25. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Designer: Green Room Interiors
Features
Hexagonal bookshelves add a touch of the unexpected to this nook.
Check out these ingenious bookshelf designs
Designer: Green Room Interiors
Features
Hexagonal bookshelves add a touch of the unexpected to this nook.
Check out these ingenious bookshelf designs
26. Location: New York, USA
Features
A large black-and-white artwork commands attention, while the smaller pieces on either side echo its theme.
Features
A large black-and-white artwork commands attention, while the smaller pieces on either side echo its theme.
27. Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Features
A simple white kitchen is made great with punchy, brightly coloured storage cubes.
Features
A simple white kitchen is made great with punchy, brightly coloured storage cubes.
28. Location: Chicago, USA
Features
Art doesn’t have to be too serious; we imagine it’s the owners’ beloved English sheepdog who is the star of the show in this contemporary dining room.
Features
Art doesn’t have to be too serious; we imagine it’s the owners’ beloved English sheepdog who is the star of the show in this contemporary dining room.
29. Location: Montpellier, France
Features
Neutral colours, natural materials and plenty of curves give this arrangement a considered feel.
Features
Neutral colours, natural materials and plenty of curves give this arrangement a considered feel.
30. Location: London, UK
Features
The power of symmetry.
Features
The power of symmetry.
31. Location: Perth, WA
Features
Pared-back nautical styling.
Features
Pared-back nautical styling.
Read more:
Accessorising Guide: Make Your Home Pinterest Worthy
Tell us:
Which of these ideas is your favourite? Tell us in the Comments below.
Accessorising Guide: Make Your Home Pinterest Worthy
Tell us:
Which of these ideas is your favourite? Tell us in the Comments below.
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I'm always looking for home display ideas for personal collections. I'm cataloging my collections digitally with CatalogIt (www.catalogit.app) but still need help with the physical displays! I don't see a lot of specific collections here but interesting eclectic collections!