Shelf Care: How Minimalist Storage is a Form of Self-Care

Shelf Care: How Minimalist Storage Becomes a Form of Self-Care

Can you imagine a world without shelves? That would be total chaos! What an organizational nightmare. Practically every room in the home needs shelves for storage. Whether decorated with seasonal decor for aesthetic purposes in a room, or for practical organizational needs, our shelving is a necessary component to an organized and cozy home. However, the systems we have (or don't have) around shelf organization can either make or break a space and therefore have a major impact on the coziness level of our space and how we feel when we are in a space.

When shelves start getting messy, over-crowded, unorganized, or otherwise messy, the visual cues can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and can feel draining and overwhelming. On the flip side, tidy, minimalistic, and intentional shelf organization will create calm, peace, and tranquility in your space and your mind.

Organizing your shelves and using aesthetically pleasing shelves and storage turns out to be a powerful act of self care. But where does one begin when their shelf-care has been neglected for months or years? Keep reading to discover all about shelf organization, its natural link to self-care, and how to create a shelving situation that curates your cozy, calm, and comfortable life.

What Is Shelf Care?

We are surrounded by shelves in our home, whether behind kitchen or bathroom cabinet doors or open space style shelving like book cases. They play a crucial role in the quality of the environment of your home. And because your environments has such a major impact on your mind-set and mental well-being, there is a significant connection between shelf-care and self-care.

When you start including shelf-care in your self-care routine, you will undoubtedly see an increase in the joy and peace you feel in your home and space.

Why Decluttered Spaces Calm the Mind

Clutter in your home (and on your shelves) has a direct and significant correlation to stress. And your shelves tend to be major clutter culprits!

One study done by UCLA's Center on Everyday Lives of Families found that, "cortisol levels—the body’s main stress hormone—in participants living in cluttered environments and found significantly higher daily cortisol among women who described their surroundings as cluttered. That level of stress was comparable to chronic fatigue and PTSD." (Credit: Time).

Neuroscience News cited that, "visual clutter imposes mental load and cognitive strain—your brain struggles to prioritize attention when surrounded by disorganization." (Credit: Neuroscience News).

These and multiple other studies prove the importance of keeping a tidy atmosphere in order to maintain great self-care rituals. Less clutter equates to more peace, clarity, and ability to focus on what's important in your sanctuary!

Let's explore some ways to take your cluttered shelves to minimalistic shelving masterpieces so that you can achieve the optimal self-care routine.

Styling Tips for a Cozy Shelf Care Vibe in Your Home

Now that you're getting some inspiration for your shelf-care, time to start thinking about ways of styling them in a way that's beautiful, sleek, and functional.

Function Meets Style

Choose shelves and storage ideas that will meet the needs of storing your belongings. For example, if you have a lot of blankets, think about baskets that you can fold them up in and elegantly drape them over the side of.

If you have a lot of books, consider sturdy storage and book ends to separate the rows of books for a better visual presentation. Or, if you have a lot of spices that always get tossed into the cabinet, think about pull-out organizers that can be hidden away again after and makes consistently storing the canisters a breeze.

Use Natural Textures for Warmth

The minimalist style associated with effective shelf-care doesn't have to mean boring! Incorporate woven textures for a warmer and more cozy feel. This can apply to any room from the living room to the bathroom! Here are some examples.

Greenery and Plants Will Breathe Life into Your Space!

Break up the practicality of your shelving with adding in house plants or cute succulents. You can use stylish and elegant succulent or plant hangers on the walls between the floating shelves or even on the shelves themselves. They will brighten and freshen up any space.

Seasonal Decor for Maximum Coziness

Who doesn't love a little extra theming in your home - especially during fall and winter! Summertime you can get away with a lot less decor, but in the cooler months, some tasteful seasonal decor incorporated into your shelving spaces can make your home that much more homey and enjoyable to be in.

Rule of 3's: Balance

Humans find groupings of three or other off numbers much more appealing than pairings or even numbers. A trio looks balanced without being too rigid. So as you're styling your shelves, think about 3 candles on a tray, 3 shelves on a wall, 3 frames on a shelf, or even 3 pillows on a sofa, etc. Play around with it and see what looks and feels right to you!

Affordable Amazon Finds to Start Shelf Care

Floating Shelves

Floating shelves are an incredible shelving system for creating an open-space feel and a minimalistic style. They're a perfect way to open up floor area without sacrificing storage. They're versatile in placement and easily styled to suit your space.

Baskets & Bins

Baskets and bins are fantastic tools for making sure everything has its place. From bulky items like blankets and pillows, to baskets inside your cabinets, and even to categorizing spices and ingredients, bins and baskets are a major key to shelf-care.

Rustic and unique floating shelves

Industrial chic floating shelves

Simple floating shelves, no drilling necessary

Ready-to-be-Labelled woven baskets: perfect for a kitchen or bathroom!

Stackable Mesh Baskets for Loose Items

Oversized Bins with Lids for Visual Simplicity

Open-Top Circular Baskets - Great for Blankets or Towels!

Elegant Glass Jars for Q-Tips, Cotton Balls, Hair Ties, Flossers, etc.

Clear Air-Tight Jars - On the Counter or In the Cabinet. Find Exactly What You Need Fast!

Unique, Modern Ceramic Tray for Jewelry, Candles, or Perfume Bottles

Sleek, Glass Tray - Ideal for Bathrooms, Perfume Bottles, Skin-Care, or Other Items You want to Elegantly Display

Low Maintenance & High Aesthetic (living) Succulents

Essential Oil or Reed Diffusers: The Right Scent Will Set the Cozy Tone of Your Atmosphere

Shelving Accents

Once your major belongings have been put in their proper shelving place, the fun can begin with adding some personality or other decorative (not tacky) accents. This can range from scent-boosting methods like candles or diffusers, to your favorite elegantly framed photos, plants, or even seasonal decor.

Jars & Trays

Those smaller items will need some shelf-care as well! Jars & trays are gorgeous additions to any shelving system to keep shelf space tidy and organized while staying aesthetically pleasing. Clear jars and mirrored trays are another component to enhancing the open space feel of your shelves.

Make Shelf Care Part of Your Self-Care Routine

Embrace the process - there's no black or white, right or wrong. Have fun with it! To maintain your newly organized and styled shelves, plan to make shelf-care a regular part of your self-care. You can even block out time each week or each month to re-organize and tidy, and time seasonally to redecorate with appropriate decor.

Make this time yours! Just like you might with a relaxing bath, put on your favorite relaxing music, pour your favorite drink, light your best smelling candle, and settle into your shelf-care routine. It can even be 5 minutes a week of refreshing the surfaces, baskets, jars, and decor.

Future you will thank current you for loving yourself enough to invest your time into creating a space that you love being in and that helps nourish a calm mind and peaceful soul. You are curating your dream safe-space each time you take time for tidying your home. You deserve a home that you love.

Treat Shelf-Care like Self-Care

I'll say it again - you DESERVE a space that you love and that lights you up. A clear and organized space leaves more freedom for your mind to be inspired rather than distracted. By making shelf-care a regular part of your self-care, you'll be just another step closer to achieving the best possible version of yourself.

This just means 1% better every day. You don't have to revamp your shelving or organizational practices overnight. Tidy up and plan out your best shelving situation bit by bit. Start one shelf at a time, one basket or tray at a time, and before you know it, you'll have a clear space and a clear mind ready to conquer your wildest dreams and your best life!