How to decorate an entertainment center comes down to finding an inspiration style you like and imitating it closely! I will walk through several different visuals to find what’s best for you. Then, I will point out a few ways to achieve your look!
Green Color Built-Ins & Neutral Shelf Decor
How about these deep green painted built-ins on this entertainment center? Perhaps you do not have the opportunity to paint your built ins. But, are they white? If so, you could consider wallpapering the back of each built in.
I’m choosing to talk about this idea because a uniform color backing to each shelf could help ease the decorating process. It may, in fact, make your simple decor pieces pop more!
Next, let’s talk decor items. I look above and I see at least 5 ceramic vessels (jars, vases and small containers). Purchase a variety of these in varying sizes if you feel you are lacking in verticality and tall objects.
Secondly, color uniformity. These shelves are cohesive because all objects are white, tan or black. This gives the space a calming vibe that talks well with the neutral family room furniture.
Noteworthy Sculptures and Varying Shelf Sizes
The two most noteworthy things about these shelves are the 3 repeating bird sculptures and the large, iron ‘E’ on the lower left. Yes, there are many more wonderful elements to these shelves. But, do you have two, wonderful and noteworthy items on your shelves? Or, are they all mediocre?
Don’t settle for too basic. Keep variety, but also tell viewers what you most want them to look at. There has to be 1 or 2 stars of the show when we are talking shelf-decor!
Interior Shelf Lighting & Glass Shelves Shines Light On Decor-Treasures
Some thing you may not have initially noticed about these shelves is that they are glass, with a wood trim on front. This allows light to shine through from the lighting up top! This is a unique highlighting feature that pops to viewers since we don’t often get to see shelves well-lit.
The decor choices are minimal. Just three areas contain books. But, the few decor pieces have pops of color and pattern. You see that tomato-red moment? Little pops of dramatic color can go a long way. Don’t underestimate the power of color!
Short & Wide Repeating Shelves + Amazing Decor + Deep Green Paint Color
Next, it is important to notice shelf size. Are the shelves all the same? Are some square spaces and some rectangular?
These shelves capitalize on continuity. And uniquely speaking, they are all short and wide. This give it a modern feel.
Furthermore, the deep green shelf-color compliments the repeating moments of neons, multi-colors and magentas!
Lastly, the top left and top right shelves are basically completely empty! Are you stressing about those last little spots and what to put there? Perhaps you don’t need anything in them if the other shelves are “just right!”
Minimalist Floating Shelves Entertainment Center Design
Another important topic to discuss is ‘Room design versus shelves.’ If your room looks as amazing as this, consider doing just what this designer did and simplified the shelf design to balance out the room.
How To Decorate An Entertainment Center: 1 Sculpture Decor Per Shelf
The drama of these espresso cabinets on this entertainment center allow for white and natural sculptures to pop just perfectly!
The wonderful collection of medium to large decor objects allows just one great object to fill each space.
Perhaps you can adopt this idea and get a dozen of objects all within 7-10 inches tall? Throw in a few small pieces, but then you have yourself a great composition of shelf decor!
Repeat A Consistent Theme With Decor Pieces: Ocean and Sea
I’m am pleasantly surprised by how much I like this tone-on-tone room. It is sedated, yet sexy and masculine. And it oozes with sophistication. Is this a single retiree’s beach home? One can imagine 😉
Critically Assessing The Specifics of Shelf Design: How to Decorate an Entertainment Center
Moving on to the point! Let’s look critically at these shelves. The top two shelves (above) are exact mirror images of one another. Wow! That’s a good way to knock out some space while refusing to get overwhelmed with potential options!
Additionally, the second-to-bottom two shelves are almost the exact same (row of three objects), except two items have switched orders. Vertical book spines flank the outside edges of each shelf, combined with a vase and stacked books. See? We are making some great headway.
When you force yourself to really study the details, you realize you can accomplish great shelf-design too.
And while we are on a roll about how to decorate an entertainment center, I have to include a very similar article I wrote on shelf decor inspiration. Let’s face it, the key ingredients are mostly the same!
Pale Grey Entertainment Center: Winning Combination, Mixing Wicker with Faux Green Florals
This pale, blue, grey entertainment center makes me happy! It’s such a welcome change to see a great pop of subdued color! These are large shelves, yet the decor pieces vary in size. And this makes it interesting!
Two shelves simply have two different wicker baskets. These are easy catch-all ideas for cleaning up a room quickly!
The three repeating potted plants below the TV give a great, rhythmic pop of color to the built-ins.
Traditional Decor, White Entertainment Center: Square Cubby Shelves Become Easier to Decorate Than Larger Ones
Last but not least, we have a traditional beauty in this entertainment center. One of the most interesting ways that these built ins look updated is through the cube-sized shelves. Do you have the opportunity to make some updates to your existing shelves? This could be cool!
The decorative grated cabinet faces are perfect to allow the electronics not to get overheated. A DIY trick for this is to simply get decorative, metal sheets at your local handyman store or on Amazon! They are affordable and can simply be cut down with sheet-metal clippers. And then stapled or nailed into the cabinet interior. Finish the look off with some paint for a cohesive look and you have suddenly really elevated your cabinets!
This concludes our look into how to decorate your entertainment center. I hope some of these ideas have helped stir your imagination for a better result!
