Decorating
10 of the Best Bookcase Ideas on Houzz
Take a look at these clever spaces for some novel ways to show off your books
There are plenty of ways you can fit a bookcase into your home without installing standard shelves in your living room alcoves. So if you have a boxful of paperbacks and hardbacks you don’t know what to do with, you’ll want to read on.
Pop it inside the wall
If you don’t want the shelves of a bookcase to protrude into the room, ask a joiner if it’s possible to create recessed ledges inside a wall instead. These neat bookshelves line the lower half of a side return extension, making use of the area without imposing on the space. By keeping them low, the room stays light and airy, but the books make the seating space feel cosy and inviting.
If you don’t want the shelves of a bookcase to protrude into the room, ask a joiner if it’s possible to create recessed ledges inside a wall instead. These neat bookshelves line the lower half of a side return extension, making use of the area without imposing on the space. By keeping them low, the room stays light and airy, but the books make the seating space feel cosy and inviting.
Go up the stairs
Underused areas, such as a stairwell, are great places for finding extra storage. The bookshelves here add a striking feature to an otherwise plain staircase. When incorporating a bookcase into a stairwell, make sure it has a shallow depth to ensure safe access up and down the steps.
Discover how to gain storage with shelves in unusual places
Underused areas, such as a stairwell, are great places for finding extra storage. The bookshelves here add a striking feature to an otherwise plain staircase. When incorporating a bookcase into a stairwell, make sure it has a shallow depth to ensure safe access up and down the steps.
Discover how to gain storage with shelves in unusual places
Turn it into artwork
The designers have put a dividing wall to good use here by building a bookcase into it. Rather than a standard layout, they’ve gone for an angled design which turns the bookcase into a statement feature. The dark grey wall provides a contrasting border and allows the shelving to stand out even more.
The designers have put a dividing wall to good use here by building a bookcase into it. Rather than a standard layout, they’ve gone for an angled design which turns the bookcase into a statement feature. The dark grey wall provides a contrasting border and allows the shelving to stand out even more.
Go up and over
Run out of room for all your books? Look above your doors and you’ll probably find enough extra space for one or two shelves – or even more. Here, the owners have built storage either side of the doorway, too, so that the bookshelves form a frame around the opening. If the top shelves are too high, it’s worth investing in a stylish library ladder.
Run out of room for all your books? Look above your doors and you’ll probably find enough extra space for one or two shelves – or even more. Here, the owners have built storage either side of the doorway, too, so that the bookshelves form a frame around the opening. If the top shelves are too high, it’s worth investing in a stylish library ladder.
Utilise the kitchen island
If you have a free side on your kitchen island, you could add a bookcase there. Here, the end has been kitted out with two shelves spacious enough to hold tall recipe books. However, with many of us using the internet for our recipe searches, the space here could be used for novels instead.
If you have a free side on your kitchen island, you could add a bookcase there. Here, the end has been kitted out with two shelves spacious enough to hold tall recipe books. However, with many of us using the internet for our recipe searches, the space here could be used for novels instead.
Paint it blue
This could have been any old traditional bookcase with its standard shape and beaded detailing. However, the owners have elevated it to something special by adding a lick of bright blue paint. The bold bookcase gives this formal room, with its period features, leather seating and imposing chandelier, a quirky and contemporary feel.
This could have been any old traditional bookcase with its standard shape and beaded detailing. However, the owners have elevated it to something special by adding a lick of bright blue paint. The bold bookcase gives this formal room, with its period features, leather seating and imposing chandelier, a quirky and contemporary feel.
Tuck it under the stairs
Understairs cupboards are a great idea, but they often require a lot of upkeep. Who hasn’t spent a good half an hour pulling everything out just to access that one box stashed in the furthest, darkest corner of the space? If you can find somewhere else for the clutter you corral in this area, move it away and build a bookcase in its place.
This natural wood one looks lovely below the wood stairs, and is emphasised further by a glass balustrade.
Understairs cupboards are a great idea, but they often require a lot of upkeep. Who hasn’t spent a good half an hour pulling everything out just to access that one box stashed in the furthest, darkest corner of the space? If you can find somewhere else for the clutter you corral in this area, move it away and build a bookcase in its place.
This natural wood one looks lovely below the wood stairs, and is emphasised further by a glass balustrade.
Maximise a bench seat
It makes sense to put your books where you’re going to read them, so storage below a window seat is the ideal spot. The books here are tucked below the seats and can be pulled out easily for a relaxed read next to the window.
Find out how to fit more seating into your living room
It makes sense to put your books where you’re going to read them, so storage below a window seat is the ideal spot. The books here are tucked below the seats and can be pulled out easily for a relaxed read next to the window.
Find out how to fit more seating into your living room
Lighten up with plywood
If you look closely, you’ll see two bookcases in this picture, rather than one. The plywood shelving in the office and the living room next door are separated by a plywood room divider. By having a matching pair of bookcases, the designers have created extra storage, as well as the illusion of a reflection.
What do you think of these bookcase ideas? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
If you look closely, you’ll see two bookcases in this picture, rather than one. The plywood shelving in the office and the living room next door are separated by a plywood room divider. By having a matching pair of bookcases, the designers have created extra storage, as well as the illusion of a reflection.
What do you think of these bookcase ideas? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Got a big blank wall somewhere in your home? You could fill it completely with bookshelves like they’ve done here. To maintain the bright, uncluttered feel of the room, the designers have used a neat grid layout and kept it all white to blend in with the walls.