Look! Extending Your Bookshelf

Small space dwellers are always looking for creative ways to create storage without the feeling of bulky furniture taking up the room. Going vertical is the perfect way to create storage spaces while providing visual depth in the space.

We spotted this photo of an IKEA Expedit bookcase with additional shelving on top and thought it was a great use of form + function. Not only does the additional shelving provide needed space, it feels light and balanced. Try this small space desing tip in your own space if you are looking to add a home for collections, books, storage.

[Photo via The Felt Mouse from Apartment Therapy LA's Flickr pool]

Check out more small space solutions from Apartment Therapy:

Comments (5)

Yes, but... everything on the vertical shelves could easily have fit in the bookshelf unit.

posted by Lisa (Montreal) on March 12th 2009 at 4:20pm
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those lack shelves look great for a few months...until they start to fall off the wall. (And yes I anchored them properly.)

posted by mf1192 on March 12th 2009 at 4:20pm
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Really, mf1192? Mine have held steady for... ooh, going on two years now? Were yours overburdened, maybe? Lack shelves look fantastic, but they can't hold really heavy things.

This looks great, though! Expedit and Lack were MADE for each other. (No, literally.)

posted by ryttu3k on March 13th 2009 at 4:26am
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somehow even though these are expedit and lack, somehow together in this appliation, they don't scream "hey look, its expedit and lack" like they would alone. Think the doors help with that as well as the staging. I also like that it adds height and drama and makes the expedit feel complete.

posted by Enamorada on March 13th 2009 at 6:43am
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what's with the doors or drawers or inserts or whatever at the bottom of the expedit? they're much sleeker looking as storage solutions than i've seen in the past recommended for this bookshelf.

posted by pinstripeprincess on March 13th 2009 at 2:13pm
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