7 Bookshelves for Book Lovers

If you’re a lifelong reader you’ve probably amassed quite a collection of books. It doesn’t really matter what kind of reading you enjoy, whether fiction, non-fiction, poetry, biographies, histories–your books mean something to you. You’ve got the old favorites you read again and again. Most likely you have reference books, and atlases, and coffee table books that can’t all be left out for display. And there are the tough reads, like the classics, that you’re proud to have read but may not revisit for twenty years. We know you want to keep them all. And you should! That’s why you need bookshelving options that work for a book lover. These aren’t just for show to try to impress someone. You need a space for the books you love to have in your home.

 

1 – Built-ins

This is the dream for most book aficionados. Who wouldn’t love to have a custom-built shelving display that works perfectly in the space you have? Of course this is by far the most expensive option, with handcrafted and made-to-measure work like this done in fine finishes you’ll be paying top dollar. But gosh, it might be worth it!

 

 

2 – Use your home’s quirky architecture to your advantage

These are the kind of bookshelves that make a home look truly loved and lived in. Essentially, you find any nook or cranny that occurs naturally in your room and tack up a shelf to fill it. Not only is this a really effective way to use what might otherwise be wasted space, it’s a chance for you to choose your own shelf heights and customize your shelving to your specific book collection.

 

 

3 – Flatpack shelves

Look, if you’ve ever been to a bargain-basement home decor warehouse, you’ve seen these put-it-together-yourself bookshelf options. They’re often made with mdf or plywood that’s laminated, but that means they’ll be fairly durable and you won’t feel too badly about replacing them because your investment will be much lower than wood shelving. Set them up like this and they look basically custom-built!

 

4 – Metal shelving units

These are a great option if you want to invest a bit in your bookshelves but need something that can be transported easily if you know you’ll be moving in the near future. With finishes in almost any metal finish you desire, they can work well with your decor while also functioning perfectly to display your favorite reads!

 

5 – Semi-custom storage wall

If you’re living in a small space and need every inch of your house to do double storage duty, this can be a great option. Available at many home furnishing warehouse stores, you simply take your measurements and buy the appropriate units to kit out your wall space exactly as you’d like it. You’ll do all the assembling and installation yourself, but this is a great way to get a very functional custom look for a not much more cost than a standard flatpack option.

 

6 – Bricks and boards

Sure, you’re not in college anymore, but why mess with a timeless bookshelving method? With a little creativity and stain or finish, you can even dress this look up a bit. The big advantage of this style of shelving is the incredible versatility. You can quite literally create whatever configuration you need to fit whatever spare space you might have. And it’s tough to beat the price, which for the resourceful book lover is usually FREE!

 

 

7 – Wall-mounted shelving system

Here’s another inexpensive bookshelf option that has stood the test of time for a reason. It works, it’s incredibly customizable, and it can fit into almost any space. Updated versions of these systems come in different finishes and colors, so you can find something that will work well with whatever your home decor scheme is, and when you’re ready to move, just unscrew it and take the whole thing with you!