White walls and boring Berber carpets used to be a fact of life for apartment dwellers. But today’s apartments are more spacious and stylish than in years past and are a chosen lifestyle for many people, rather than a transitional residence that was never really thought of as ‘home’. From wall tapestries to wrought iron wall art, there are more options than ever for decorating an apartment with signature style. Here are some ideas on how to use wall shelves to personalize the apartment that you call ‘home’.

Renaissance Shelving

Bring an element of Old World elegance to a bedroom or apartment living space with Renaissance shelving. This type of shelving, which often includes an ornamental frame above the shelf, will bring distinction to the items displayed on the shelf and other wall art displayed in conjunction with it. Renaissance shelving will lend the look of a classic European drawing room to your apartment living space. Draw on sumptuous textured and patterned fabrics, jewel toned hues and accessories with crystal, silver or gold leaf embellishments to accentuate this graceful look.

Window Shelves

Like Renaissance shelving, window shelves include a decorative frame extending above the shelf space, but because they are available in contemporary or casual styles, they can be incorporated with any style decor. They mimic the look of a window but include a shelf below for displaying your choice of accessories. A window shelf that includes a mirror will not only add style to your apartment, but it will reflect light and space. Situate it so that it reflects a pleasant outdoor view or captures light from a nearby window.

Mission-Style Wall Shelves

If you love the clean and simple lines of classic Arts and Crafts style furnishings, choose mission style wall shelves to accent your décor. Distinctive details like flared timed, cast metal hardware and open slatted side panels make this a perfect accompaniment to your mission style furniture. Handcrafted hardwood in shades of light cherry, chestnut, honey or oak will let you coordinate any room in your apartment with ease and designer flair.

Grecian Shelving

The timeless appeal of Grecian architecture is captured in the beautifully intricate designs of Grecian style shelving. Accent your shelf with a fresh flower arrangement, candles, silver and fine porcelain or crystal accessories. Create a focal point by combining your Grecian-style shelf with Grecian architectural pieces, such as textural resin reliefs of Grecian column fragments, architectural grilles or an Athenian wing.

Roman Shelves

Underscore a Tuscan theme with Roman-style wall shelves. Adorned with Tuscan style pottery and a wrought iron Tuscan theme wall mirror, a Roman style-wall shelf will bring style as welcoming as a sunny day in Italy to your apartment foyer or living room. Try a Roman-style shelf beneath an exquisite Tuscan-style painting to make an elegant focal point for your dining room.

Wall shelves are available to complement any style of decorating. They are an excellent choice for balancing vertical decorative or architectural elements in a room, and they are a versatile accent for any wall space, giving you the option to change the way you display accents and accessories at will.