Let the wallpaper be the star and keep the shelves pretty edited. Fill maybe a third of the cubbies and leave the rest empty so the pattern breathes. Stick to two or three materials like white ceramic, aged brass and a few books turned spine-in for a calm look. Pull one green from the shelf paint into a vase or two, and vary heights so it doesn't feel like a grid.

Thank you!! Would you keep the shelf panels as shown or adjust heights? I have 9 total shelves. I like the left and right sides as it showcase the wallpaper. Should I mirror the center area and keep it all symmetrical?

Lovely wallpaper, and you're right to protect it. I'd keep the outer shelves as they are and mirror the center so the whole unit reads calm and symmetrical. With a busy pattern behind, symmetry in the structure lets you be a little looser with the objects.

Leave one slightly taller opening in the middle for your largest piece, like a framed print leaning against the back or a tall vase. Then style in a loose zigzag: books stacked flat on one shelf, a bowl or small plant up and across on the next, so your eye travels diagonally. Keep about a third of each shelf empty and stick to a tight palette of white, warm wood and one green pulled from the paper.

It’s such a pretty wallpaper and the green color is gorgeous. I’m just wondering why you’d install it as a backing for shelves when the pattern is going to be lost when you stage the shelves. But I agree that using plain white items or maybe clear glass would not compete with the paper. As a matter of fact maybe using the shelves to house all your crystal glassware and accessories might look best.

I have samples of that wallpaper with the white background and light blue background!

I would have used the paper on one of the wall and just done paint for the built-in.

so much depends on what you want to put on the shelves...

I'd get all your collectibles out and see if you can color coordinate things. All similar pottery, clear glass, silver pieces, woven baskets, you get the idea.

IF you use any books, you can cover them all with the same paper book covers, like a solid Kraft paper, a red solid, etc.

I'd try to keep each shelf simple, not over crowded.

Stella P keep the left and right as they are so the wallpaper stays the hero. for the center, don't force a perfect mirror. match the outer panel heights left and right, then vary the middle one or two so it feels intentional not rigid. nine shelves is a lot of boxes. if a couple of center rows feel chopped, bump those openings taller and leave the flanking ones. symmetry at the edges, a little rhythm in the middle.

If you absolutely want to go based off looks and keep the wallpaper shining through some items, this is a basic simple way of designing. Stagger items so the paper shows through. It is a gorgeous print and would have been nicer on a wall but it certainly adds character to the cabinet. The cabinet color is gorgeous, also. So use vases, trinkets and boxes with similar shades. Ignore that the wallpaper is not exactly the same but you get the idea.

Here's what it could look like with crystal glasses and other accessories:

As suggested, plain white items would be nice against the wallpaper. Keep them very minimal.

I’d go with primarily white accessories to stand out against the green and the wallpaper.

I moved the shelves around and sort of like this set up. Showcases a lot of the top and I can put some items on the bottom.

The shelves look great now.
Ideally white and cream for decor in the shelves, of course, look great, but isn't always realistic or ideal for everyone especially with most items that people have. Not every book spine will be white or cream and that's ok but I do not recommend placing the spines backwards as it defeats the purpose of a functional shelf.

Setting up the shelves in the way you just have, allows for the wallpaper to show but also takes up more space. I recommend boxes if anything for storage at the shelves so the wallpaper can show AND you have a somewhat functional shelving unit. Unless of course this is all for looks in the first place.

What about baskets along the bottom so you can actually store ‘stuff’ for office use. Then, leave the middle empty and left and right I like what Lyn posted - some greenery and white. Looks great!

And, maybe a new office chair that isn’t grey? A light camel tone would work

From Lyn’s image, I could see something like this on the left and right

You might consider this design. It showcases the wallpaper but still adds a lot to the bookcase.

Ai didn’t make all of the lower shelves even but they should be. 😀