Open shelves are like internal windows: they reveal fragments of everyday life and give rhythm to the architecture of the space. When well positioned and thoughtfully designed, they become more than just storage solutions — they take on the role of
curators of what truly matters. In the living room, they are elements that organize without hiding, expose without excess, and embrace both functional and sentimental objects. )
In times when living approaches feeling,
open shelves offer a sensitive response: they allow us to see, access, and remember the good moments.
Books, works of art, ceramics, vases, travel souvenirs, or everyday objects begin to naturally compose the landscape of the living room. In this text, we explore ideas and suggestions to integrate open shelves lightly, respecting the harmony of the space and the uniqueness of each home.
José Ribeiro - Apartamento Dois. Com um olhar voltado para a contemporaneidade, José Ribeiro traduz um jeito atual de morar, onde conforto, estética e funcionalidade caminham juntos. A arquitetura de interiores aposta em uma linguagem moderna e leve, marcada pela integração dos ambientes e pela abundante entrada de luz natural. As cores suaves e os revestimentos de alta qualidade criam uma base neutra e acolhedora, sobre a qual se destacam obras de arte piauiense e peças assinadas por ícones do design nacional e internacional. O mobiliário contemporâneo reforça a elegância despretensiosa do projeto, ao mesmo tempo em que garante praticidade. Mais do que um lar, este apartamento reflete um estilo de vida sofisticado e autêntico. (Felipe Petrovsky/CASACOR)
Lightness and transparency
The presence of an open shelf transforms the living room into a
visual narrative. Unlike closed furniture, it invites the eye to explore the details, creating rhythm and pauses in the projects. More than dividing or organizing, it acts as
internal landscape, connecting objects to the architecture and routine of those who live there.
João Almeida e Gustavo Almeida - Arte e Design: Inspirando os Sentidos. Projeto da CASACOR Piauí 2025. (Felipe Petrovsky/CASACOR)
Open shelves also enhance the sense of lightness and transparency in the space. When well positioned, they function as subtle dividers helping to sector integrated projects and offering visual breaths between fullness and emptiness. With them, decorating is also editing — choosing what is shown and how it is shown. 5 ways to use open shelves in the living room
Open shelves can take on
different functions in the living room — some immediately visible, others more subtle. Below, we've gathered suggestions that help think creatively and intentionally about using this feature.
1. Shelf as the backdrop of the living room
Positioning an open shelf on the main wall of the living room, behind the sofa or armchair,
creates depth and centralizes the gaze. With asymmetric shelves,
built-in lighting or varied niches, it can become a
dynamical panel that organizes and decorates at the same time.
Gaspar Dantas Arquitetos Associados - Living Vinhedos. Projeto da CASACOR Bahia 2025. (Denilson Machado/CASACOR)
2. Divider shelf in integrated projects
In
rooms connected to the kitchen or office, the open shelf can serve as a
sublte limit. Without closing the space, it defines functions and allows light to pass through, maintaining fluidity. It works especially well with
hollow structures in metal, light wood, or handcrafted metalwork.
Casa Pitaya, por Bernardo Gaudie-Ley e Tania Braida. Ambiente da CASACOR Rio de Janeiro 2022. (André Nazareth/CASACOR)
3. Floor-to-ceiling shelf as an emotional library
Vertical shelves that occupy the full height of the wall create a
sense of welcome. They are perfect for rooms with high ceilings and house books, works of art, and objects organically. It's good to mix horizontal volumes with empty breaths — the secret is in the fluid composition!
Dado Castello Branco Arquitetura - Living do Colecionador. Projeto da CASACOR São Paulo 2025. (Fran Parente/CASACOR)
4. Low shelf as multifunctional support
In
smaller or more informal projects, low shelves can function as
servers, benches, or support for plants and lamps. They fill the base of the project without obstructing the visual field, keeping the space airy.
PN+ | Paula Neder - Loft Alvorá. Projeto da CASACOR São Paulo 2025. (Denilson Machado, do MCA Estúdio/CASACOR)
5. Modular shelves for dynamic compositions
Modular or suspended structures allow for rearrangements as the projects of the living room change. Ideal for those who like to renew the arrangement of objects frequently or live in projects that require
flexibility.
Thalia Salgado - Espaço Sebrae. Inspirado no acolhimento do Quadrado de Trancoso, o Espaço Sebrae é uma loja boutique onde o artesanato é protagonista e o sonho de empreender ganha forma. Com 50 m², foi concebido para envolver o visitante em uma experiência sensorial, conectando natureza e fazer manual. Entre fibras naturais, tons terrosos e peças feitas à mão, o ambiente cultiva memórias, afeto e pertencimento. A arquitetura leve valoriza o simples — o que é feito à mão — destacando mais de 200 peças artesanais. Aqui, o sonho do artesão encontra o do empreendedor, em um elo que transforma ideias em histórias com propósito. (Edgard César/CASACOR)
Tips for a harmonious composition
The beauty of open shelves lies as much in what they show as in how they show it. The following guidelines help find
balance between aesthetics, functionality, and personal expression.
Organize by visual groups
When organizing objects, think of
groupings by color, height, or function. Books stacked horizontally, vases in threes, organizing boxes, or artisanal pieces create rhythm and visual unity.
Respect the breathing space
Not every shelf needs to be occupied: the
empty spaces are as important as the full ones. They allow the eye to rest and the objects to gain individual presence.
Rodrigo Peixoto - Refúgio Afeto. Um studio de 25 m² onde sofisticação e acolhimento se unem de forma harmônica. Com tons neutros, madeira e texturas naturais, o ambiente estabelece uma conexão sensível com a natureza e com a essência do lar. Linhas retas, iluminação indireta e elementos minimalistas criam uma atmosfera serena, equilibrada e sensorial. A integração entre cozinha, sala e jantar convida ao convívio e à troca, cultivando memórias e afetos. Mais do que um espaço esteticamente belo, é um refúgio onde sonhos germinam e florescem, resgatando o essencial e inspirando uma vida mais leve e conectada. (Edgard Cesar/CASACOR)
Mix materials intentionally
Ceramics, wood, glass, fabric, metal: mixing materials adds
texture to the shelf. But avoid excess— choose pieces that communicate with each other, creating a tactile palette coherent with the rest of the living room.
Illuminate gently
Built-in LED strips, directional spots, or
lamps near the shelf highlight volumes and create atmosphere. The light here should not be the protagonist but should reveal
layers delicately.
Mariana Andrade Foganholi e Raissa Lamy - Sala Âmbar. Projeto da CASACOR Paraná 2025. (Eduardo Macarios/CASACOR)
CASACOR Publisher is an exclusive content creator agent, developed by the CASACOR Technology team from the knowledge base of casacor.com.br. This text was edited by Yeska Coelho. [abril-veja-tambem]W3siaWQiOjIwMzI2NiwidGl0bGUiOiJHdWlhIGRhIHJlZm9ybWE6IG8gcXVlIHZvYyYjeEVBOyBwcmVjaXNhIHNhYmVyIGFudGVzIGRlIGNvbWUmI3hFNzthciJ9LHsiaWQiOjIwMzI4NCwidGl0bGUiOiJTYWxhIGRlIGVzdGFyIGRlY29yYWRhOiAxMCBpbnNwaXJhJiN4RTc7JiN4RjU7ZXMgZGUgYW1iaWVudGVzIGNvbSBhbG1hIn0seyJpZCI6MjAzMjg2LCJ0aXRsZSI6IjEwIGluc3BpcmEmI3hFNzsmI3hGNTtlcyBtb2Rlcm5hcyBwYXJhIHVzYXIgcGFwZWwgZGUgcGFyZWRlIG5hIHNhbGEifV0=
