The Perfect Spot To Add A Unique Accent Shelf In Your Home

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Feel like going shopping for a cute, offbeat, or totally original shelf? It's easy to justify a seemingly frivolous purchase when it will have a useful purpose, and your entryway is the ideal place to hang a small, wall-mounted shelf as a catch-all. Instead of the hefty footprint of a table or credenza, a pint-sized shelf floating at just the right spot is a smart foyer addition for holding quick-grab items like keys and phones. If your tastes run traditional but you've been itching to try something a bit outside your comfort zone, a whimsical shelf is an easy way to dip your toes into more adventurous decor. With a bit of searching, you're sure to get something that aligns with the biggest entryway design trends and even pushes the envelope a bit.

Make your accent shelf shine by considering assorted material options. Pick a simple wooden shelf in a vibrant color, like a cherry red LACK wall shelf from IKEA, if your style leans more modern; its clean lines make the brilliant hue the center of the show. Go a little space age mod with Royalita Small Acrylic Shelves, available in crayon-box hues and fluorescents for a playful pop of color, or hit up Etsy for 3D-printed mushroom wall shelves to complete an immersive nature-inspired layout. You might also turn this trend into a DIY with a bare wood shelf, tricking it out with paint, decoupage, or even wavy trim to incorporate scalloped designs into your home. No matter your entryway's design approach, it's easy to pinpoint and tweak an accent shelf to stand out and enhance the space, all while adding a convenient dash of function.

To get the best grab-and-go use out of your shelf, you can mount them at what's typically table height (around 28 to 30 inches from the floor) or place them at points that suit a family member's height for a personal touch and a bit of variety rather than a straight line of shelves at the same level. Pint-sized entryway shelves are versatile enough to stand alone within easy reach of the front door. But if you're trying to create the perfect gallery wall in your foyer, break up the ho-hum by swapping pictures for a shelf or two. One shelf on its own certainly draws the eye, but a small unit with two or more surfaces is great for households with multiple members needing space for their phones, keys, and accessories. You could even pair them with other functional accessories, like a hanging hook underneath to hold purses or backpacks or a mirror positioned over it so you can give yourself a look before grabbing your stuff and heading out the door.

If your home doesn't allow space for a small catch-all table near the entrance, consider placing a shelf above an electrical outlet so a plugged-in power cord will reach it. Having the charging station and storage combo could be a major stress saver during the morning rush. You'll know exactly where your keys and phone are and that your phone's charged, setting you up for a solid start as you dive into your day.