Everyone knows the battle of styling and staying organised in a tiny space. The size of your furniture becomes far more crucial, pockets of storage become essential, and even the colour scheme can have a huge impact on your lifestyle.
Built-in shelves or floating shelves have to be one of the most stylish storage solutions for a small space. Floor-to-ceiling, custom joinery open shelves can transform a blank wall, creating a 3D effect and lending instant character to a room.
If you're dabbling with the idea, be inspired to fill a nook or cranny of your home with built-in shelves like these 10 homes. Just style these with some decor to complement your home and they'll basically become your own gallery.
1 / 10
A set of timber built-in shelves are built into a nook in the rumpus room of this relaxed new-build in Perth with sophisticated style. With a mix of open shelves and cabinetry, the custom joinery offers plenty of space to hide less appealing homewares below and favourite pieces above.
Photographer: Jody D'Arcy | Styling: Alex Carter | Story: Home Beautiful
2 / 10
With its considered details and designer touches, this contemporary residential development in East Melbourne sets the standards for modern apartment living. Open shelving in the office space provides great storage and a place to show off decor.
Photo: Sharyn Cairns | Stylist: Edwina Glenn | Story: Real Living
3 / 10
This study nook is cleverly concealed behind a sliding door within a living room to make the perfect multi-purpose space or home office space that you can pack away at the end of the day.
Photographer: Maree Homer | Are Media Syndication
4 / 10
A timber bookcase is built into the stone-clad wall, which "was our nod to the mid-century architecture," said the owner of this sprawling sunlit new-build in the Byron Bay Hinterland.
Photographer: Lynden Foss | Styling: Lisa Burden | Story: Real Living
5 / 10
Custom shelving in Polytec Woodmatt Black epitomises stylish storage of this contemporary new-build home in Sydney's South West. The owner's philosophy centred on streamlined style. "It's all about good, built-in storage solutions – we like living in a home where things seem organised, tidy and consistent."
Photographer: Nat Spadavecchia | Styling: Fiona Gould | Story: Home Beautiful
6 / 10
Clear jars and labels go a long way to making navigating your pantry and food storage a breeze, and the incredible organisation of this coastal home is on display with these built-in shelves in the kitchen.
Photographer: Chris Warnes | Styling: Natalie Walton | Story: Australian House & Garden
7 / 10
In the rumpus room on the lowest level of this modern three-level home overlooking Sydney harbour, an incredible set of built-in shelving offers abundant storage for entertainment and home decor.
Photographer: Anson Smart | Styling: Steve Cordony | Story: Belle
8 / 10
Quamby Home, a beautiful homewares and furniture store a 25-minute drive from Launceston, also uses built-in shelves to allow for more homewares to be displayed in store.
Photo: Felix Forest | Styling: Danielle Selig | Story: Country Style
9 / 10
Custom shelving and cabinetry in the living/dining area of this colourful Byron Bay home showcases books and homewares, while drawers underneath hide all the toys!
Photographer: Nikole Ramsay | Story: Real Living
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The living room shelves showcase a mix of new and vintage items in this airy apartment in Sydney's eastern suburbs.
Photographer: Damien Bennett | Story: Real Living