The 10 Coolest Under-$25 Decor Objects for Your Living Room Shelves, According to Designers

An eye-catching decor item can turn a simple bookshelf into a stylish living room shelfie in seconds. When it comes to styling shelves in your living room, you must look beyond books,” says interior designer Jenelle Lovings. “The living room is the primary entertainment space in most homes, and bookshelves provide an opportunity to display decor items that can spark conversations.”

Luckily, upgrading your living room shelves with a cool decor accent is both easy and affordable. From figural vases to colorful catchall trays and more, here are 10 artful objects for under $25 that interior designers say will transform any old shelf into a design-savvy living room scene. 

A shapely ceramic vase can add visual interest to a shelf while supplying plenty of good vibes. “I love how this little vase celebrates the female form in a body-positive way,” Lovings says. “I also love the idea of potting a plant inside this vase — women are the givers of life, and this epitomizes that.”

Buy: Leggy Lady Vase, $18.00 from Urban Outfitters.

A small sculpture can instantly turn an empty living room shelf into an artful scene. “I love this polished brass sculpture, because it’s so simple and clean yet elegant,” says interior designer Dominique Fluker. “I recommend placing one on top of the stacked books on your bookcases, floating shelves, or console for some extra style.”

Buy: Metal Loop Object, $19.00 from West Elm.

No living room shelfie would be complete with an assortment of treasured personal objects, and Carneil Griffin of Griffin Direction Interiors recommends finding an eye-catching tray to display them. “The biscuit tray by La Cadeaux provides a pop of color that can serve as a beautiful backdrop for your favorite found objects,” he explains. “Plus, it’s made of durable melamine, so you won’t have to worry about using it in a high-traffic area of your home.”

Buy: Le Cadeaux Biscuit Tray, in Sorrento, $21.25 from Neiman Marcus.

A hand-carved decor object composed of organic materials can add a dash of texture and drama to your living room shelves. “Not only is Accent Touch a Black-woman owned business, these wooden combs imbue a sense of history and heritage into a space, especially during a time when it’s imperative to feel connected to something bigger,” Lovings says.

Buy: African Wooden Comb, $24.00 from Accent Touch.

A small, colorful planter can bring lots of personality to a humdrum shelf while filling in some awkward visual gaps. “This small mint green vase is the perfect accessory to fill in any empty spots on your shelves,” says interior designer Kirsten Grove of We Three Design. “Display it next to a large piece in a neutral color, and add a bright floral bud for more color and interest.”

Buy: Zen Lines Vase, $16.00 from Urban Outfitters.

Simple but unique, Ben Deaton of Benjamin Deaton Interior Design says paper planters are an easy and inexpensive way to dress up the indoor greenery that lives on your living room shelves. “These paper planters have a pretty scalloped edge that provides a textural element,” he explains. “Pair one with a green maidenhair fern for a touch of color and texture.”

Buy: Paper Planter in White, $12.00 from Benjamin Deaton Home.

Don’t let the good looks of this handmade wooden broom fool you, Lovings says it’s a real multitasker. “The Terrain Broom is a subtle way to bring warmth and texture to your shelves,” she explains. “You can place this across a stack of books or even prop it up in a corner to create vertical movement—no matter how you use it,  you can’t go wrong.”

Buy: Terrain Broom, $22.00 from Souk Bohemian.

“Adding some greenery to a shelf is a great way to upgrade a surface without breaking the bank,” interior designer Michelle Lisac says. “Start with a lovely little planter, and then add a small plant to bring color to the area, while helping clean the air in your living room.”

Buy: Fluted Indoor/Outdoor Planters, in Extra Small, $20.00 from West Elm.

If you ask Lovings, sleek and stylish storage boxes are a must when designing a living room shelf. “I am infatuated with this simple, but chic marble box from CB2,” she says. “The classic material adds a bit of sophistication to your space, and it can be displayed with the lid propped open to showcase a special item.”

Buy: Small White Marble Box, $24.95 from CB2.

According to Lauren Clement of Lauren Nicole Designs, an asymmetrical bowl in a rich shade of green is a goof-proof way to liven the clean lines of a living room bookshelf.  “You can stack this bowl on top of colorful books, or pot an orchid (fresh or faux) with soil, rocks, and moss, to add a pop of color and texture to your bookshelf,” she says.

Buy: Cartago Bowl Green, $19.44 from Lauren Clement.