Kyle Richards' unconventional styling encourages you to use shelves for more than books – it's a fresh twist on 'bookshelf wealth' for 2025

Decorating a bookshelf is as much an exercise in creative styling as it is a test in how to make a space feel engaging, without being overcrowded. Kyle Richards has nailed it with her living room shelving unit, and we are taking notes.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star recently shared a snap of her living area to her Instagram page, and we are obsessed with her less is more shelvees, which feature art, ceramics, and decorative objects that are just so perfectly arranged and spaced out.

Bookshelf Wealth often implies fill a bookcase to its maximum potential; however, there is something to be said about being intentional with your bookcase's innards, and design experts concur.

Shop the spacious bookshelf edit

Experts say that styling a bookshelf and keeping it looking spacious comes down to some essential tips and tricks. First and foremost, consider where you are placing objects on your shelves.

'Look at the shelving area you’re working with like a pyramid, with one large statement piece in the top-centre position to draw the eye up, before moving down to create width with smaller items like photo frames and candles at eye level,' says Laura Hammett, the creative design director and founder of luxury homeware brand, Laura Hammett Living. 'At the lower levels, spread across the whole width of the bottom shelves with bold, anchoring items like books, storage boxes or sculptural pieces. This pyramid method creates visual harmony and prevents the display from feeling top-heavy or cluttered.'

Additionally, experimenting with asymmetry can actually contribute to an overall more balanced appearance on a shelf.

'A composition doesn’t need to be symmetrical or the mirror image on both sides,' Laura says. 'Creating similar proportions and height levels on both sides achieves a balanced, but not ‘over-styled’ look.'

Laura also encourages personalization in a shelf, explaining that it's a great way to create visual interest.

She continues, 'Styling in pairs is a great way to help build up the display, I love pairing glass vases and photo frames in two sizes side by side. Glass is a wonderful reflector of light and captures a sense of fluidity. Photo frames also work well in pairs, giving a layered look and a sense of depth when staggered. Photographs naturally bring a personal touch to your styling and make the display uniquely yours.'

Whether you're a minimalist at heart or simply looking to declutter, taking Kyle Richards' approach to decorating a bookshelf is guaranteed to be timeless and elevated. Do you prefer to stack your shelves with books, or do you like Kyle's twist on a classic look? Let us know in the comments below.