Autumn 2025 - Shelf Styling Tips
Written by: Claire Sugden
Autumn is the perfect time to give your shelves, bookcases, windowsills and mantlepieces a makeover. With the darker evenings come bountiful opportunities for introducing cosy touches, making every surface sparkle with seasonal warmth. Whether your home is calm and contemporary or brimming with character, here are some ideas for layering in a little autumnal charm.
Flickering Firelight
LED candles are the perfect way to add instant cosiness to your shelves. Group pillar candles in trios to bring little pockets of warmth to surfaces of varying heights, or style a classic taper candle at either end of a mantlepiece for a traditional, statement look. Compact LED tea lights look wonderful dotted amongst books and curios, whilst larger, chapel-sized candles are a beautiful addition to open shelving and sideboards. For a natural, ‘thrown-together’ effect, consider grouping candles of all shapes and sizes together, or opt for a uniform, matching display to keep things sleek and contemporary.
Mix-and-match Finishes
Nothing says autumn like pumpkins, and with light-up styles available in a wide range of finishes, there’s something for every home. A chalky, white ceramic finish is ideal for any minimalist décor scheme, working particularly well with shelving painted in neutral, cool-toned finishes. For something a little bolder, choose a mottled brass effect or coloured glass in warm, fall shades, or consider a rattan finish for a natural, ‘bring-the-outdoors-in’ look.
Seasonal Softness
Add a backdrop to your shelf styling with a faux foliage autumnal garland, with leaves and berries in seasonal tones. Nestle a garland behind your LED candle and pumpkin displays to tie the look together, or string along a mantlepiece to frame a gently crackling fireplace. By opting for a pre-lit garland – or adding a string of LED micro lights to an unlit one – you can easily bring even more sparkle to your styling – perfect for this cosy time of year.
Personal Touches
Once your base is complete, layer in some seasonal finishing touches to make your display truly yours.
- Family photos: whether pumpkin picking or a walk in the woods, take a camera along to capture the cosiest moments of the season.
- Natural notes: pinecones, conkers and handmade decorations bring a sentimental mood to autumn décor.
- Curated curios: scour antique fairs and second-hand shops for knick-knacks and art in warm, fall tones to compliment your display.
Shelves aren’t just for storage this autumn! With a few simple touches, they can become glowing showcases for all that is wonderful about the cosy season. Draw the curtains, light the candles, and watch your newly-styled surfaces come to life.
