The low and long shelf: a decorating tip that always works

It is not always easy to identify the details that make the decor of a room really successful: we look at photos, magazines, design videos and we understand that these interiors are beautiful - but what is the trick to replicating a similar look? In reality, there are many steps involved - and it is no coincidence that experienced people or people with innate talents are most easily able to transform any space into an interior to be admired.

However, there is a tip that, once discovered, you end up seeing in many interior decoration examples (including in catalogs!) One of the most commonly recurring themes is the use of a long, low shelf at the foot / base of a wall. Read on to find out why it's almost always a winning solution:

Whether it is at the base of an internal wall or one that is open to the outside with a large window, lining only the base of the wall with a long shelf offers a space for storing objects - or even a window seat (depending on the context).

The nice thing is that this works with a thousand DIY ideas: open bookcases, long shelves of all shapes and materials, long chests, plasterboard solutions, and so on and so forth.

When you put one of these low and long shelves along the back of a wall which is free from other elements, you create a space to place books, decorative objects, and even the TV or stereo - and the rest of the wall will be a canvas to decorate with framed art or photos of your choice (and which you can also change whenever you want).

The more basic the style of the shelf is (i.e. simple shelves with a color that matches the rest of the furniture), the more you can get creative in filling them with eye-catching objects, ornaments, frames, etc ...

Of course, this also works with a big favorite of modern furniture these days: retractable shelves - the ones with no visible brackets.

One of the environments in which a minimal, beautiful and efficient solution is almost always successful is in the attic: if you have a room underneath a sloping roof, then there will be a wall that is very low because it immediately abutts the sloping roof - given this, it is perfect for trying this solution. A bulky piece of furniture often becomes a lot less "heavy" in appearance using this technique.

Again, it could be an idea to decorate dividing walls creatively, making the shelf an interesting, focal element in the room.

Another perfect combination: at the foot of a row of windows (a window wall), especially if the shelf is actually a low and sturdy piece of furniture on which one can sit or place potted plants without risk.

A low shelf that runs around a corner: an idea for decorating "awkward" walls.

As for materials and the actual design, as we said, you can go wild!

And don't forget that you can also get the effect using just normal wall shelves, bookcases and similar!

Have you already used this tip for your home decor?