great ideas for shelves..via sunset

1.Floating book shelves

Typical store-bought floating shelves are suitable only for displaying objects, as they have a weight capacity of 10 or so pounds. This way, situation is changed with the strong support. Wood trim hides the brackets supporting the shelves, creating an elegant appearance reinforced by the larger display shelf at the bottom.

2. Custom drink station

The beverage center keeps glasses, wine and cocktail fixings within easy reach. The custom shelves ensure that all the drinkware fits perfectly in place. Open shelves and mirrored backs add interest.

3. Simple window shelf

A single shelf in an unexpected place can expand your storage right where you need it most.
This one in front of a kitchen window frees counter space and keeps cooking ingredients handy.

4. Storage room divider

A freestanding cabinet provides open and closed storage while serving as the principal divider between the open living-dining and kitchen areas.

5. Clutter-control cubbies

With storage and display shelves resembling large egg crates, the simple wall system shown here defines the kitchen, dining, and living areas, and keeps everything in plain sight.The ladder leads to a loft, and the inside of the box actually houses a bathroom.

6. Create a still life

Books find a home alongside art and other treasures on these lightweight suspension shelves. The airy unit serves double duty as storage and display case.
Tip:  Leave books off the top shelf. Reserve that space for unusual objects so they don’t have to compete with a row of titles.

7. Let in the light

A two-story bookcase of wood and glass acts as a room divider and light chimney, bringing sunlight into the parlor.

8. If the shelf fits, use it

18 horizontal inches of wall may have more possibilities than you think. Designer Lotta Jansdotter put a Benno CD tower on its end and used it as shelving for books and curios.

9. Create a niche

Simple, readymade floating shelves look like a custom wall unit thanks to dark pumpkin paint on the wall behind them.

10. Leave some open space

Rather than filling her shelves with books, L.A. designer Kelly LaPlante left room for shapely objects and empty space to create a pretty display.
"I first visually balance the case as a whole," she says. "Then I arrange the contents of each shelf." See more of her place here.

11. Surprising shared shelving

Three built-in shelves serve the bedroom wall and the entry on the opposite side. Lumicor resin panels containing recycled materials let in natural light.
The wall art is a digital image transferred onto fabric then stretched into place with a tiny metal frame.

12. Garden cubbies

Nursery pots and planting accessories stay put in these cleverly constructed garden shelves. The upslanted edges of the shelves were inspired by nesting boxes in chicken coops.

13. Access what you often need

Open shelves are all about easy access, but they force you to edit. When it’s in plain sight, you know what you’ve got …You forget about things behind cupboard doors.

14. Provide privacy, keep space

The light and airy solution for space in this master bath was to contrast icy blue glass mosaic tiles with warm wood.
See-through shelving made from high-grade plywood defines a shower area without walling it off. Unobstructed light fills the space.

15. Build in flexibility

Cubbies are ideal for storage and display ― and are easy to stack and rearrange. cheaper solution – use drawers you already have but don’t need any more :)

16. Homework center

Adjustable Plexiglas shelves keep everything in this workspace handy but out of the way.

17. A bold statement for your shelves

Create a colorful focal point by painting your shelves (including the back) a hot new color. Here, pumpkin-colored shelves act as a backdrop to deep brown and burnt orange accessories.

18. Tame chaotic piles

Open shelves can look cluttered. Unite unruly stacks by showcasing a collection of objects of similar shape and color. Even the most haphazard piles will seem intentional.
Keep horizontal stacks on lower shelves to prevent them from looking precarious.

19. Give them space

Extend built-ins to create a frame for the door or adjoining room. Take advantage of all that space by displaying photos, art, and some well-chosen trinkets among the books.
Tip:White paint keeps a book-filled wall from feeling heavy.

20. Cabin cubes

Cube bookcase and bench storage keep linens, clothing, and supplies organized.

21. Open kitchen shelving

Open shelves feel hospitable―guests can just grab wineglasses off the shelf―and force you to edit.
Try following this homeowner's rule of thumb: “If you use it more than once a week, have it out. If you use it a few times a month, stick it in a cabinet. Once or twice a year? It belongs in the basement.”

22. Pantry kit

A pantry kit like this allows you to see and access everything. These solid wood units allow you to customize the height of shelves and glide each unit out of the way on piano hinges.
This article on Sunset caught my attention…so I changed it just a little bit, ups :) It’s very useful, you know