Built-ins are one of those design elements that instantly take a space from simple to special. But when it comes time to style them? That’s usually where people get overwhelmed. What goes where? How do you keep it from looking cluttered? And how do designers make it look so effortless?

If you know my work, you know I love a built-in. I include them in almost every project. Because not only are they beautiful, they’re functional and full of potential.

Today, I’m walking you through exactly how we style built-ins to feel elevated, timeless, and the kind of thing guests always compliment. These are the tried-and-true steps we use to create that curated-but-effortless look, every time.

1. Start With Structure: Use Larger Anchor Pieces

One of the most common styling mistakes I see is people trying to fill their shelves with tons of little objects. It ends up looking cluttered and totally disconnected.

Instead, I always start with my larger, anchor pieces. Think oversized vases, chunky bowls, or framed art with a little weight to it. These pieces ground the shelves and give everything else a sense of purpose.

I like to treat each shelf like its own little vignette—usually in thirds or halves. Start with one bigger item, then layer in smaller pieces to complement it, like a stack of books or a sculptural accent.

2. Books Are Your Best Friend (But Make Them Stylish)

Books are one of my favorite tools when styling shelves. They add warmth, depth, and personality but only when styled intentionally. I love mixing stacked books with upright ones to create structure and height. They also make the perfect platform for smaller accessories that might otherwise get lost. And my favorite tip Don’t be afraid to take those dust jackets off. Oftentimes the covers underneath are so much prettier.

3. Mix Materials for Dimension

The key to a layered, elevated look is mixing your materials. A shelf full of all-glass or all-wood will fall flat.

I like to mix ceramics, glass, metal, wood, and even a little linen to keep things interesting. In our Flagstaff project (which we’ll be revealing very soon!), we brought in a mix of matte pottery, woven textures, and sculptural metal accents. The combination helped break things up visually and kept the whole built-in feeling dynamic and layered.

4. Layer in Art and Personal Pieces

Built-ins are the perfect place to showcase art and personal pieces but in a way that still feels elevated. You don’t need to fill every shelf with family photos. Instead, I love leaning small-scale artwork or placing framed photos on simple stands. Keep it subtle and intentional.

5. Leave Breathing Room

Here’s the thing: not every inch needs to be filled. In fact, negative space is what gives your shelves that clean, designer feel. Give each item a little room to breathe. Let a beautiful object or grouping speak for itself. That restraint is often what sets professionally styled shelves apart from the rest.

6. Group in Odd Numbers

Design rule of thumb: odd numbers always feel more balanced to the eye. I tend to group things in threes. Play with heights, textures, and shapes to keep your groupings from feeling too perfect or too planned. The goal is to create a curated feel, not to be matchy-matchy.

7. Be Okay With Tweaking Over Time

Styling doesn’t have to be perfect the first time. Even I rearrange shelves multiple times before they feel right. Sometimes all it takes is removing one piece or swapping in something with a little more texture or color. Let it evolve with your home, your style, and the seasons.

Built-ins are such a fun way to reflect your style and make your home feel more personal. They’re like a little peek into your story. And with just a few styling tricks, you can totally get that polished, designer look..

If you take anything from this, let it be this: don’t overthink it. Start simple, layer as you go, and have fun with it. You’ve got this!

Xo,

Lexi