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Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves

Within the past two months, I’ve purchased 4 leaning shelves (a.k.a. ladder shelves).

Obsessed? No.

Great for storage? Affordable? Open + Airy?  Yes.

For the same reason, I’ve been loving leaning shelves as of late, I’ve got my clients hooked too and I’d like to share with you why leaning shelves work so well for any room in the home.

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!

Any style shelf gives height to the room. Most pieces of furniture (tables, sofa, chair, bed, etc) aren’t higher than 30/36″ off the floor, which often leaves pictures / artwork to be the only source of height in a room.  As much as it’s important to have “things” on the wall, it’s also important to break up the monotony and a bookcase / shelves can be that element.  Don’t get me wrong, I love the look of a closed bookcase, but I also really prefer the style of a leaning shelf.

Why?

> Height: Art + pictures are a must on the walls, but without anything else to grab the eye and break up the plane, a space can become boring and lack depth.  By adding shelving, specifically leaning shelves, a wall can have the needed to break and 3-dimensional look needed to add visual interest.  With the addition of books, accessories, baskets, and more, the shelves can become the star of a room.

> Storage: The aesthetic part of shelves is that it brings height + interest to a room, but the storage element of shelving brings in the functional aspect.  Who doesn’t desire more storage in their house?  I certainly do {raising hand in the air}…  Adding in a tall element, like a shelf, allows you to use the vertical plane of the wall instead of the horizontal, floor area, of a room.  Save on floor area, use height instead!

> Affordability: Leaning Shelves are very affordable, probably because there really isn’t much too them.  The most recent style I chose, I purchased at Target for a few dollars over $100. I’ve also been wanting to make my own version – I think it would be fairly easy – but I’m still gathering the guts + time to do it.  Anyway, there are versions that are less than $100, like this one and styles that are a lot more (but are pretty fabulous) like this one at $1600.  Add height to a room for around $100? Perfect!

> Open + Airy: I specifically like the look of leaning shelves because they provide the height and the storage needed in a room, but they aren’t closed in as a typical bookshelf with a back + sides are.  The leaning shelf is minimal allowing for any size space (even small spaces like bathrooms & laundry rooms/nooks) to handle the horizontal attention-grabber.  Plus I’ve seen leaning shelves in a variety of widths, as well.

I must be on the right design track with my recent purchases because I opened two design magazines this month and they both featured spaces with leaning bookshelves.

After reading the first feature in the March issue of HGTV magazine, it ‘s what inspired me to write this post. I know you all would love and feel confident to use leaning shelves after seeing these inspirational spaces!

1.  A leaning shelf in the kitchen

Perfect for holding dishes, cookbooks, bowls, coffee supplies, and so much more.

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!

2. A leaning shelf in the living room

Ideal for books, pictures, accessories, and I adore the idea of a adding a reading light.  No more need for a side table.

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!

See how this ladder shelf gives so much height to the space, yet there is no real break of wall color or ‘closed-in’ feeling.

3. A leaning shelf in the entry

Essential for all the winter-wares, shoes, and bags!  The shelves allow space for the must-haves, along with some surface to display some pretty like a plant and cool fan.

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!

4. A leaning shelf in the entry

Big or small, most bathrooms could use more storage.  Am I right?? And if you have a pedestal-style sink, you really are in need of more surface space.  A ladder shelf is the perfect solution for all your products + towels.

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!

5. A leaning shelf in the laundry

Another spot that most everyone can use more space.  Depending on the layout of the laundry room or nook, a leaning shelf can provide the extra storage needed to keep the space tidy + organized.

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!The above images of 5 ways to use a leaning shelf is from HGTV magazine

The other publication that I was flipping through and came across an interesting display of leaning shelves was Better Homes and Gardens April issue.

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!

For these shelves, I am pretty sure they painted them the popping turquoise hue, but what a great space, right?!  I love the color palette of the vivacious yellow, gray, and turquoise.  If you can, get your hands on this issue – they’re are lots of great + affordable ideas for bathroom upgrades.

After seeing all these ideas, I am sure you want to get your hands on some new shelving.  Am I right?  I put together a collection of a few favorites with resource links.

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!

Resources:
1. Cherry-finish Leaning Shelf
2. White Leaning Shelf
3. Iron frame / Wood Shelves Leaning Shelf
4: Black Leaning Shelf
5: Lucite (clear) Leaning Shelf
6: Gray Leaning Shelf with Bins
7: Leaning Shelves with Desk

Here’s a peak at the recent leaning shelves I purchased…

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!

Recognize the room?  It’s my boys room that I am currently giving an overhaul.  work is still in progress…

I’m sharing this because it’s amazing how much these shelves have brought to the room!  The amount of storage / surface space is incredible.  From books, to ‘special things’ to ALL THE LEGOS, these shelves hold it all + have there is room for more.

My daughter’s room also got a leaning shelf.

We moved the pictures that were there into the master and added the shelf in it’s place to hold books, and of course ALL THE LEGOS!

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!

Seen enough?  No?  Okay, I’ve got more inspiration for you…

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!Awesome coastal living room with a leaning white shelf/desk. via: Sabrina Alfin Interiors

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!Seriously, how great is this space with the leaning shelves used for wine storage?  Doesn’t get much better than this! via: Cynthia Lynn Photography

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!Work space with white leaning shelves. Shelves by The Container Store

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!How amazing is this lucite leaning shelf?  It’s incredibly expensive, but is a show-stopper!  Leaning Shelf by Wisteria.

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!Such a bright + vibrant space.  Ideal for a playroom or girly room.  Leaning Shelves by The Container Store

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!Metal + Wood combo shelves by Pottery Barn

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!Such a bright, airy space with the perfect element to bring in some height…  a leaning shelf!  Unknown Source

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!What a great office space with a non-traditional leaning shelf and I adore the pops of turquoise + the amazing wallpaper. via: Matilda Rose Interiors

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!How fun is this?  I love chalkboard walls and layering it with a leaning bookcase still allows for the wall to be seen through it.  Same style as shown above in my favorite finds, this leaning shelf is by Land of Nod.

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!Leaning shelves with a desk make a great combination for storage + work. via: CM Glover

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!Leaning shelves come in all sizes.  This narrow style in a colorful deep red hue is adorable in this nursery. Unknown Source

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!Leaning shelves are great for an office space! via: Asbury Remodeling & Construction

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!Shelf / Desk combo by The Container Store

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!A more modern style shelf/desk combo at Crate and Barrel

Decorating with Leaning + Ladder Shelves - Leaning Shelves are affordable, open + airy, and bring great height to a space. So much inspiration + ideas in THIS POST!The shelves on this white ladder shelf are thicker which gives it more weight and style.  How great for a kitchen or casual dining space.

Leaning shelves for everyone.  Are you now ready to purchase one (or 2, or maybe 3) for your home?!

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