Bookshelves can be as personal as a finding the perfect pair of underpants (if only we could find Dora Underoos in our size). They can be big, small, long or tall and don't forget bright, light, or plain old out of sight. 15 of our favorites are after the jump, tell us which one you love, lust over or are planning on making in the near future!
Although some of the setups below aren't your typical "bookcase" many spaces are too small for such things, so we made sure to include a few book storage alternatives as well. Is there a particular style you fancy more than others? Let us know in the comments below!
First Row, Left To Right
• Top Ten: Display Bookcases
• Baroque Bookshelves
• Cloud Shelf
• Flickr Find: Refinished Bookshelf
• Billy Jader Bookcase from Ikea
Second Row, Left To Right
• Elmer Bookcase by Vilac
• Good Idea: Turn a Bookcase into a Front Facing Book Display
• Space Saving Idea: Revolving Bookcases
• Rain Gutter Bookshelves
• How To: Make Shelves Out of Fruit Crates
Third Row, Left To Right
• Fabric Magazine Organizer by Reisenthel
• Storage Crates from Rose and Grey
• Book Storage Systems by Guidecraft
• Inspiration: Corner Library
• Good Questions: Securing a Barrister's Bookcase
(Images: As linked above)
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I like to use a simple, low 3 shelf bookcase. We put series together such as all golden books, eric carle etc. so I often can't create the organized by color look I so dearly love, but I try.
I love the small bookcase because it doesn't take up much room but holds a ton of books. We are working with a tiny space and the shelves that display covers hold so few they aren't practical for us.
Someday I would love a cover display type shelf when we have more room.
This is great! We're setting up my daughter's room and she loves her books. We currently have them in a canvas basket but would like for her to have a bookshelf.
My husband designed a similar face-out bookcase for our daughter and now everybody wants one! We used it so much, I had him build another for our newborn son. Check it out at www.inaiinaiba.com to link to his etsy page.
I got lots of books for my baby shower and looked all over for just the right bookcase - but I came up with this idea instead. Check it out http://www.lonemor.com/2010/03/30/books/
i like that second to last option....clever use of otherwise un-used space. we renters i guess have to deal with clunky standalone furniture though!
Our house has a huge nook that is lined with custom-built bookshelves...but it constantly looks messy and my girls empty every book onto the floor to find one they want. So my husband is building a front-facing bookshelf to fit in front of it. That way, the higher shelves still display my books (colour coded!), we can use the space behind the front-facing shelf as storage for toys/books for now, and we can remove it later on.
#7 is my absolute favourite. Wonder why I didn't think of it :D