Displaying Book, Movie & Music Collections Inspiration Gallery

Displaying Book, Movie & Music Collections
Inspiration Gallery

This month on Apartment Therapy we are looking at collections and even if you don't consider yourself a collector (no vinyl toys or blue & white porcelain at your house!) we bet you have a fairly sizable collection of books, music and movies. As more and more of these items move to the digital realm, they will have less of a visual impact on our homes...

...but for now, they are a big consideration.

Most lovers of these items don't hide away their collections - they often choose to celebrate them and show them off on open shelves - today, we did a search for photos from some of our favorite magazines to create a bit of an inspiration gallery of media collections done right. Enjoy!

Shown above, top row, left to right:
1. Dwell
2. Living Etc.
3. Metropolitan Home
4. Dwell
5. Elle Decor
Bottom row, left to right:
6.Living Etc.
7. Metropolitan Home
8. Dwell
9. Living Etc.
10. House Beautiful

Comments (8)

I've got a great shelving unit for sale in Los Angeles for just this!

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/fuo/1356106660.html

posted by chrisciever on September 3rd 2009 at 12:26am
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how come shelves full of books make me drool?

posted by Lizzykewl on September 3rd 2009 at 1:23am
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I could see myself growing old in the first one. It's great.

posted by Aster on September 3rd 2009 at 6:22am
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We have a ton books. 95% of them are in storage because we haven't gotten bookcases yet. When we do, all the books will come back home! We are avid readers and just the sight of books make me happy!

BTW - I agree with Aster, I can see my husband and I doing exactly what that older couple in the 1st pic is doing. That's the life!

http://www.donkeehouse.com

posted by bitdot on September 3rd 2009 at 10:25am
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Bitdot, "that's the life" was the exact phrase that crossed my mind.

I have been considering doing a combination library/dining room for years, but always thought it was an odd combination. This has given me all sorts of inspiration. Thanks AT.

posted by sam on September 3rd 2009 at 3:08pm
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I love to display my books, and just got shelves that blend in with the walls so the books are most prominent :)

Emily

posted by Emily Sneds on September 7th 2009 at 12:35pm
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Very nice - I love the colorful built-in shelf.

posted by Bikegirl71 on September 7th 2009 at 4:11pm
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We have a dining room library combo at my house. Its just the two of us most nights, so we tucked the table off to one side of the room and lined the other 3 sides with book shelves. A big rug ties the spaces together. The table has hidden wheels, so we roll it into the center when we have guests, and bring in extra chairs from the kitchen. Works like a charm.

As an aside, the picture above with the red wall and the hearth really bothers me. Way too much clutter and tchotchkes on the shelves, which means you cant get the books off, which means you don't really use them.

posted by Modfan on September 7th 2009 at 5:44pm
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