In defense of empty shelves

Introduction

An empty shelf can feel unfinished. We think it can also feel intentional.

Leaving space around objects gives them room to exist and gives the eye somewhere to rest.

Not everything needs displaying

We often start with less than we think we need.

A few books, one object, a piece of artwork. Then we step back and allow the room to tell us what is missing.

The absence of decoration can sometimes be more powerful than adding another carefully selected piece.

Space is part of the composition

Negative space is not an absence of design. It is one of its most useful tools.

Empty shelves, open walls and clear surfaces create pauses between the more expressive elements of a room.

These pauses help the eye move through the space without becoming overwhelmed.

Let objects breathe

Objects become more meaningful when they are not surrounded by too many competing pieces.

One handmade vessel can have more impact with ten centimetres of empty space around it than when it is placed inside a crowded collection.

Let life fill the gaps

A home should not look finished on the day it is photographed.

The best spaces leave room for travel, memories, books, flowers and the small things collected over time.

A shelf should have the ability to change with the person living beside it.

Less, but better

Minimalism is not about having nothing.

It is about making room for the things that deserve attention and removing everything that does not contribute to the atmosphere of the space.