Consider the scale. A huge wall of shelves can handle, well, a huge wall of books. But a petite unit or an individual shelf requires restraint.

Choose a purpose for the shelf. Is it the most common reason–to house books? Valuables and collections, mementos and keepsakes are popular items for display, and many people love to showcase family photos.

Choose a Theme. Color, texture, subject matter and style can be themes if all the objects coordinate.

Narrow it down! Step back and squint. Can you see a clean shape formed from the objects? Then you have been successful.