Bookcases & Bookshelves - Shelves

One of the worse things we do is leave our books all over stacked on top of each other. By doing this, we don’t often realize how we could damage our books, not to mention the amount of dust they could be covered in. Besides that, it leaves your home looking untidy.

So you’ve decided to finally get a proper home for your books. There are so many different, sizes, types and styles to choose from. Here are some guidelines to find the perfect bookcase for you.

Importance Of Having A Bookcase In Your Home

Bookcases are not only used to store books and collectibles. They are also very important in decorating certain spaces. The right bookcase can really bring out the décor in a room.

Pros

You finally have a place to keep your books all together in one place.
It’s also pretty and is a good decoration feature to a room.
A corner bookcase does not require much space.
With a steel bookcase, you can just repaint it and it will look brand new.

Cons

If it’s not set up properly, it could fall and hurt someone.
Can be expensive.
A corner bookcase can only be used in corners.

Shapes Of Bookcases

Standard bookshelves are fine but can be boring if you are a creative person or looking to make a statement with your bookshelf you need to get creative.

I have seen people create bookshelves out of old pianos and ladders. Can you get more creative than that? Yes you can! Anything is possible you just need to be creative and have a wild imagination.

Bookcase Styles

Traditional - Traditional bookcases are the safest way to go as they serve the purpose but don’t really create a statement. Used mainly to store books and give a homely feel to the room.

Contemporary - A leaning bookcase is an example of a contemporary style as it stand out and offers you to use it to showcase items not necessarily books. They are mainly used for display purposes.

Mid century modern -This option gives you the flexibility to have the traditional and contemporary design together. You get bookshelf that stands out and can be used to store books and display items.

What Material Are Bookcases Made Of?

Metals - The metal bookcases can be painted to match any color or décor. The frame is strong and a lot less bulky than a wooden bookcase.

Wood - Wooden bookcases make for the perfect standard bookcase as it is strong. It gives off the perfect traditional and antique look. They are however very bulky.

Glass - Bookcases made out of glass are in my opinion a work of art. However, they aren’t very strong, so be careful what you place on them. Some bookcases have metal stands with glass shelves.

Particleboard - This is a cheaper option when compared to wood. It may look great but be careful that they are not very sturdy and could fall if too much weight is placed on it. It’s too dangerous to keep around if you have kids.

Bookcase Designs

Standard - As the name suggests, these are pretty simple they are either made of wood or steel and come with space or even adjustable shelves. This bookshelf has a closed back frame.

Étagère - This type of bookcase is so much more delicate as it has an open back. The shelves are mostly made of glass giving it an elegant touch.

Leaning - The leaning bookcase also known as the ladder bookcase is a simple design that leans against the wall. The shelves normally decrease in size as it reaches the top.

Corner - The corner book case is built at a 90 degree right angle and fits perfectly into a corner. You have to have a corner to fit this bookcase in or else it just looks horrible against a straight wall.

Scaffold - The scaffold has shelves that are suspended between two ladders like supports.

Built-in - If you looking to build something unique and unusual, built in bookcases are the way to go. They have to be custom made to your room measurements.

What Sizes Are Available?

Before going out to buy a bookcase, it is very important to measure your room first to see what size will fit. The last thing you want to do is go out and buy one that is too bulky or too small.

Height

When looking at bookcases, majority of them range from three to eight feet tall. Depending on how much space you have available, you can decide how high to go. Tall bookcases that cover the wall tend to look more expensive however there is nothing wrong with a short bookcase.

Width

Your with is dependent on the height you choose for your bookshelf. If you choose to go with a short bookcase, a wider look will be better but if you go with a taller one adding multiple narrow units is a better option.

Depth and shelf size

The depth depends on the type of bookcase you choose. On average, the depth of shelves is about 12 inches deep but the leaning style tends to have smaller shelving space. Adjustable shelves are a better option as you are not restricted to the space.

Extra Bookcase Features

Depending on what you will be using the bookcase for there are some extra features that might be helpful.

Wheels
If you want something temporary or are always moving things around, then its best to get one with wheels. This will allow you to move it around easily without any heavy weight lifting.

Adjustable shelves
By having adjustable shelves installed, you are not restricted to the size of objects you can place in. You can always add or remove them as you wish.

Room dividers
If you plan on using a bookcase as a room divider you to be careful when choosing the right bookcase as some need to be mounted to a wall or lean on a wall. The bookcase has to be big enough and able to stand on its own.

Conclusion

There are so many different bookcases available and you will definitely find one that is perfect for you. From the different types, sizes and styles you are sure to find something or if you don’t you can always custom design one.
Depending on how much you are willing to spend you can get some really great masterpieces. Everyone needs one in their house even if they are not bookworms.

Bookcases and Shelves