how to | Style Built-Ins

Built-ins are the ultimate blank canvas for showcasing your personality, style, and favorite treasures.

Built-ins are the ultimate blank canvas for showcasing your personality, style, and favorite treasures. They bring charm and depth to a room, but creating a cohesive and balanced look can feel daunting. Here are our go-to tips for styling built-ins, blending functionality with timeless beauty.

Styling Tips

1. 1. Start With Favorites
      Begin by selecting 4-5 favorite items you want to feature. These might include family heirlooms, vintage finds, or estate sale treasures. Highlighting sentimental or unique pieces ensures your built-ins tell a personal story.

   2. Mix Old and New
      The adage, "Something old, something new," isn’t just for weddings—it’s key to great styling. Combining aged items with fresh, modern pieces creates a curated and collected look, full of visual interest.

   3. Books Are Foundational
      No built-in is complete without books. Use a mix of old and new volumes, arranging them horizontally and vertically in clusters. Start with larger books and scale down as you go higher or deeper into the built-in.

   4. Anchor With Large Items
      Place larger items first. These might be taller vases, wide sculptures, or substantial decorative pieces. Anchor them within your design to build around, ensuring they aren’t overshadowed.

   5. Play With Shape, Texture, and Color
      Incorporate a variety of shapes, textures, and colors for a balanced look. Space out glass items to avoid too much sheen, and mix styles like matte ceramics, antique patterns, or polished metals to keep things interesting.

   6. Layer Wisely
      Balance minimalism and layering. Some areas might benefit from simplicity, while others shine with intentional layers. For example, antique snuff bottles are a personal favorite—tiny on their own but captivating when grouped beneath taller pieces.

   7. Edit and Adjust
      Step back often. Evaluate the spacing, groupings, and overall balance of your built-ins. Shift items as needed to achieve a look that feels both harmonious and intentional.

At The Collective, we offer an array of new and antique pieces to help you style your built-ins effortlessly. Choose from:

• Books: Beautiful bindings and curated titles that add depth and texture.
• Decorative Accents: Unique finds, from heirloom-worthy treasures to contemporary objects.
• Ceramics & Glassware: Add variety with matte ceramics and shimmering glass.
• Vases & Frames: Stylish and versatile, perfect for layering into your design.

Come see us at The Boutique!