Done right, a well-styled bookcase conveys personality and warmth. As any interior designer will tell you, though, this is much easier said than done. To crack the code, we rounded up some of our favorite bookcases from Elle Decor and are breaking down the tips and tricks that make them so successful. After this, you will be styling bookcases with the best of them!
More than just a place to stack your favorite reads, a bookcase can be one of the best places to show off your unique style. Inspired by this striking vignette designed by Trip Haenisch & Associates, we're taking a look at some of the key creative elements that grab our attention. Check out these smart design ideas to curate your own standout bookcase:
A well-curated shelf lined with your favorite objects can be a great way to show off your taste — but the bookcase itself can make a major style statement too. Looking for a design-savvy storage option for your home? We've scoured the web to find the best bookcases for every style personality. From rustic, eclectic pieces to more sleek, modern options, here are 13 bookcases that are sure to steal some attention.
Bookshelves are present in practically every home, but making them transcend function to actually look beautiful can sometimes be tricky. I've pulled together some of my favorite examples of shelves that artfully organize and elevate the design of the rooms they are in. Whether you're building a custom bookshelf, picking up a unit from Ikea, or re-imagining another piece of furniture, I have tips on how to get the most out of each look. See how adding wallpaper, paint, decorative objects, and unexpected features can transform your bookshelves into spectacular focal pieces for your home!
I don't have a bookcase or bookshelves, but I do have a fair amount of books. In my bedroom, I store them by stacking them and propping them up on my nightstand. In my living room, there's a ledge where I set my coffee table books with their covers facing forward. I've also learned to use little odds and ends, accessories, and books themselves as bookends. I actually used to simply stack my books on the floor in one tall, wobbly column. Because I'd rather not take up more space with a bookcase, I just make do without one.
How about you? Do you store your books on a real bookcase or bookshelves? Or do you keep them on a table or somewhere else?
When I have the opportunity to buy — or build — a house of my own, on top of my list of must haves will be a built-in bookcase, if not several of them. My literary collection is constantly expanding, and I simply don't have the tabletop or bookshelf space to store them. So I'd love to devote a whole wall of my home to my dusty hardbacks (and paperbacks). Just for fun, I thought I'd dive into some images of crave-worthy built-in bookcases. Come along and check them out!
A bona fide typography nerd, I gravitate toward alphabet motifs in all shapes and forms. From throw pillows emblazoned with letters to quotation mark bookends, the typography trend is one that I wholeheartedly support.
So imagine how excited I was to discover this Aakkoset Bookcase by Ugandan-born designer Lincoln Kayiwa, which uses each letter's form as a nook to hold books, CDs, magazines, accessories, and more. It can also be left empty and used as a room divider for open-plan living spaces or studios. Better yet, if you're not enthused about rouge, it can be ordered in black, blue, green, orange, violet, white, or yellow. I think it would be terrific in a playroom or elementary school. Is it too modern for you or do you love it too?
Here's a post from OnSugar blog Apartmentalizing:
I LOVE these shelves (KONNEX by Florian Gross)! Especially perfect for small, oddly-spaced apartments that require storage, but could quickly feel cluttered or crammed with heavy pieces.
Inspired by her find, I've rounded up some more intriguing shelving for you below:
Want to see more? Start following Apartmentalizing or start your own OnSugar blog!
AT:NY recently featured a house tour of readers Tyler & Jules's NYC home, whose digs have been featured twice before on AT and once on HGTV. The latest reincarnation of their home boasts gray and blue walls, colorful accents, and trendy patterns and furnishings; all in all, it's fun! But the one thing that stood out to me as really clever was their bar, which they crafted from an Ikea Lack Shelving Unit ($80) by turning it on its side and adding legs. Not only does the DIY piece look great, but it has a quite functional wide surface for mixing cocktails and four compartments for storing glasses and other supplies. The width of the bar makes it a real focal point and a destination, and they've made it even hipper looking with a modern wine rack.
To celebrate the 30th birthday of its signature furniture piece, Ikea lined up 30 of its red Billy Bookcases ($60) on Sydney's popular Bondi Beach on Sunday, effectively forming the world's longest outdoor bookcase. The Swedish retailer filled the cases with beach reads for surfers, swimmers, and sunbathers to swap with one of their own or make a gold coin donation to buy, with proceeds going to the Australian Literacy & Numeracy Foundation. The bookcases were fastened to thick sheets of wood to keep them steady in the sand. The Billy Bookcase is a classic, streamlined design that's been used to store everything from pantry items to novels in homes all over the world, but it's rare to see it used in a public space; how fun! I only wish this outdoor library would remain up all year-round. But then again, particleboard isn't exactly made to withstand the elements.
See the rest of these gorgeous photos when you read more
