Press and hold the activate button until the object lifts up, then release the button to move it around. Tab the button again to drop it.
I have found that sometimes placing items manually like that will not save their location. For example, I put some jewels in one of the display cases in the Markarth house. Went back to my Solitude house to move some stuff and when I came back, all those jewels were on the floor in pretty much the same pattern they were in when I dropped them from my inventory to put them in the display case.
Same would happen for putting thins on shelves. However, saving or waiting inside for a while after placing the items might just do the trick to save their position. I put the jewels back and quicksaved, and then spent a few hours practicing alchemy. Now every time I enter my home, the jewels are right where I want them to be.
I have found that sometimes placing items manually like that will not save their location. For example, I put some jewels in one of the display cases in the Markarth house. Went back to my Solitude house to move some stuff and when I came back, all those jewels were on the floor in pretty much the same pattern they were in when I dropped them from my inventory to put them in the display case.
Same would happen for putting thins on shelves. However, saving or waiting inside for a while after placing the items might just do the trick to save their position. I put the jewels back and quicksaved, and then spent a few hours practicing alchemy. Now every time I enter my home, the jewels are right where I want them to be.
Thank you too!