Good Questions: Combination Dresser & Bookshelf?

We are looking for a dresser and bookshelves for our new apartment. I saw this picture on the AT post on DIY headboards. I would love to get a combination dresser/bookshelf. Living in a rental, I would prefer to limit the amount of holes I put in the walls and therefore would prefer to not install actual shelving into the walls. Does anyone have any sources for something similar to the picture (a combination dresser and shelves, preferably a stand-alone unit that isn't installed into our walls)? Thank you, Lauren

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While I am certain that the readers will have a few suggestions, I personally combined a dresser and bookshelf in my own bedroom to take advantage of the high ceilings in a small room — I stacked a leaning bookshelf from Crate & Barrel on top of a dresser with a very similar finish. Be sure to add some rubber/felt padding on the underside of the legs so you don't damage the dresser. You could also better disperse the weight of the bookcase with a long piece of wood.

Anyone else?

Comments (15)

IKEA's Pax wardrobe system without doors

When I wanted to add a bookshelf that would rest on a filing cabinet, I went to an unpainted furniture place. They have bookcases in graduated sizes. You don't actually need a dresser that comes with a bookshelf. You can add bookshelves from Target or Ikea, for example, which is what I did in my son's room.

Yeah, or like LauraE said, put an IKEA Billy bookcase on a Malm dresser or something like that. Since they have the exact same finishes, it will look ok. I can't imagine combination sold as such that wouldn't require it to be attached to the wall.

Yep, save some money and hack-it-yourself!

Cheers!

IKEA - Pax wardrobe system has been mentioned above, and I agree. We have used three of them in a row and have the lower half as dresser drawers and the upper half as bookshelves. With all of the different combos available, you're sure to find one that works for you.

There is a Company called The Shelf Shop that might help. They are located here in the NY area; I believe it's shelfshop.com.

Depending on how much you are wanting to spend there is also atlaseast.com. These guys aren't DIY but they are a great system; they produce exactly what you are looking for so maybe if you get frustrated with trying to tackle this project on your own you can resort to them.

No... it's not Pax, it's Stohlmen (sp?)- the poles, shelves, drawers, etc. The problem with this system is that the poles are thick and round and the shelves/cabinets are white or black foiled fiberboard- nothing even remotely wood-like. What I like about the ISS system is that the rails are sleek and square and the cabinets contain recesses on the side that accommodate the rails; cabinets fit snuggly up against each other.

Another (perhaps less costly) option would be the Elfa system at the Container Store.

The Pax system has both dresser drawers and shelves, and the Stolmen system of floor-to-ceiling poles now has wood veneer components (at least here in Boston).

hejiranyc- It is Pax. Stohlmen would require holes in the wall/ceiling, which Lauren is looking to avoid, and Pax does not. And, Pax actually looks like a a combination of a dresser and solid bookshelf.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/bedroom/10997/

Another alternative would be http://www.raks.com. They make some great shelving options. Love that the mechanics of it are hidden in plain site. Very nicely designed. I have these in my library. A great long term investment. Quality is (always) the new "eco".

Also:
Atlas industries (these are much pricier).

What about a book shelf tension-mounted to the ceiling? I know I've seen a dresser/shelf system like this before, but I can't remember where.
I think you should attach the bookcase to the wall or the dresser no matter what you decide to go with, just as a safety precaution.

606 UNIVERSAL SHELVING SYSTEM BY VITSOE from Moss; however very expensive. Beautiful though. They have tension rods floor to ceiling as well as wall attached systems.

http://www.mossonline.com/info-exec/display/vitsoe

there are some nice MCM buffets with glass front shelves up and drawer/cabiet bottoms. depends on taste and space, I guess

Ikea also has the ÄNGA system available...