Janet Jackson's unorthodox living room shelving creates a minimalist, streamlined aesthetic – experts say it's an emerging 2025 trend

Decorating shelving can completely transform a space. From tantalizingly full bookshelves to backlit, museum-style shelves, they endow a room with a sense of character and warmth. Built-in shelves, like the ones we recently spotted in Janet Jackson's home, are the latest iteration of the look.

Jackson debuted her living room shelving in an Instagram reel, where she stands in front of her white walls. Extending from the wall, Jackson's architect has added two levels of narrow, decorative shelving that echo the angular shape of her stairs. On top of the shelves, she has placed two clay vases and a leafy, patinated sculpture. They instantly personality to the otherwise neutral room without taking away from its minimalist sensibilities.

Building experts and architects love installing built-in shelving in their projects as living room storage. Jerome Bertuglia, designer at Prime Homes, states: 'As an interior designer, I love built-in shelving for several reasons. First, built-ins provide a custom, high-end look since they are fitted specifically for the space. They also maximize storage by utilizing the entire wall area. Second, matching the shelving to the wall color creates a streamlined look that makes the space appear larger.'

Pam Hutter, architect at Hutter Architects, adds: 'As an architect focused on sustainable design, I see built-in shelving as an ideal way to maximize space efficiency in a home. The minimalist decor look of matching shelving and walls creates an uncluttered, airy feel that highlights the flow of a room rather than breaking it up.'

Furthermore, Jackson's shelving is primed to become an interior design trend. 'I do see this trend becoming more popular as more homeowners desire high-end, custom details in their homes,' says Bertuglia. 'In my experience building luxury custom homes, I've found that built-in cabinetry and shelving are details homeowners are willing to invest in. The minimalist, streamlined design is also very on-trend.'

The look will also grow more prevalent as a space-saving idea. Hutter says: 'I foresee built-in shelving gaining popularity, especially as more people accept minimalism and tiny home living. The shelving in the photo could easily suit a smaller space by keeping necessities within easy reach while hiding clutter.'

For those hoping to decorate shelves in Janet Jackson's style, there are only a few simple rules to follow. Bertuglia advises: 'To style this look, I would recommend keeping the shelves fairly sparse and clutter-free. Add decorative accents that match the color scheme, like glass vases, books, or candles. Group items of the same color and height together for visual impact.'

Shop H&G's Living Room Shelving Edit

Wondering about how many items you should use to style your shelves? Hutter recommends: 'I'd suggest using the rule of threes: group decorative items in threes of varying heights for visual interest. Keep the overall look minimal but impactful.' This rule works for any space, not just on built-ins.

As people work to infuse more and more personality into their interiors, innovative shelving like Janet Jackson's will only continue to grow in popularity.