I'm inspired by Patricia's House Tour — she downsized her living quarters, managing to fit all her stuff into her new space without making it feel cluttered or crowded. How'd she do it? She found unique storage solutions that took advantage of unused vertical space…
Patricia installed shelves that march high up above windows and doorways to hold her collection of books. While it may not be the most convenient place to store those tomes you use every day, most books in a large collection are only occasionally used. Pulling out a ladder for those times is certainly doable. Patricia's solution reminds me of Laure's bookshelf in the rafters solution.
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Any way we can get a how-to on these shelves?
Also, if ever there was a time to shelve books by color, this is it!
I thought Patricia said that she inherited those shelves from the previous tenant and that she wasn't crazy about them because they squish the space a little bit.
I didn't see a source in the House Tour article - I'd love to know where I can get my own, or if it's a DIY solution!
not crazy about it. it adds a heaviness to the rooms, and seems cluttery. the placement over the couch and doorway -- high traffic areas, feels precarious, invites a bonk on the head. Especially in LA -- earthquake territory.
I don't give a crap about books falling (we don't have earthquakes where I am) or if it squashes a room. If you need the storage, you need the storage. And I agree that a how-to is required.
I love storage over a window/door which is why I've done it twice now.
http://littlehomesteadinthevalley.blogspot.com/2010/08/living-room-status-mostly-done.html
http://littlehomesteadinthevalley.blogspot.com/2010/09/dining-room.html
and at the old house;
http://arosecottage.blogspot.com/search/label/renovations
I like it, especially as the shelves are not (I assume) along every ceiling in the house.
As far as earthquakes - I'm pretty paranoid, living in Southern California and having experienced numerous moderate earthquakes. But I get more concerned about shelving units over the bed - somewhere you're in place for hours at a time, usually asleep, and unable to relocate yourself under a sturdy table.
The books are just going to waste up there - when you want one, they'll just be completely covered in dust. If you don't use the books more than once or twice a year, just get rid of them.
We did this for file boxes in our office / small bedroom as it keeps them out of the eyeline and makes the bedroom seem less office-y.
I don't think the OP wants to get rid of the books @ChrisGal.
I personally love to showcase books, even if I don't use/re-read them often (or at all).
The OP said the shelves looked like a headache-y afternoon with an IKEA product and an allen wrench.