And solve your storage woes.
Built-in bookcases provide so much more than extra storage (though they're great for that, too). They eliminate the need for a shelving system or other bulky storage items that inevitably eat into the useable floor space and built-in bookcases also bring instant polish, dimension, and warmth to an entire room since they give you a place to display art, knick-knacks, and, most importantly, your library collection. Whether you've just inherited a space with built-in bookshelves (lucky you!) but aren't sure how to style them, or you need some inspiration before you build your own, you're in the right place. Ahead, you'll find 18 designer examples of built-in bookcases of every size, shape, style, and room, each with clever ideas and tips to apply to your own home office, dining room, living room, and beyond.
Set up a cozy reading nook near your book collection and a window with good light. A comfy chair, lamp, and a side table for a mug officially designate it as a reading spot. And, if you need to store anything besides books, opt for enclosures on the bottom half of the built-in shelves so you can hide unsightly items. Bonus points for fun hardware, as featured in this living room designed by Andrew Flesher.
A room-spanning bookcase isn't always the best use of wall space. If you want to keep a small room light and airy but still allow for book storage and easy access while studying, just carve ut some built-in shelves beneath the desk, but don't block any windows. Use this cute home office by Heidi Caillier as your blueprint.
New York City-based architecture firm Shapeless Studio is beyond savvy when it comes to creating stylish storage solutions in small spaces. Here, they carved out custom niches for a graphic, high-impact display of books that feels unique and stands out amongst other more expected options while still being visually understated.
Here's another great alternative to room-spanning open shelving. Designer Katie Ridder kept two corner columns exposed for special, relevant reading material as well as decor accents, and then everything else goes into the enclosed bookcases.
Though book-filled rooms tend to feel like magical time capsules, they can also lend themselves to more modern aesthetics. Take this home study designed by Fiona Lynch, for example. From the inky stained wood to the modern side chair and clean-lined ladder, the room is a contemporary take on traditional design.
Spruce up some glass-enclosed lower cabinets with printed fabric panels. In this living room designed by Anna Spiro, the light pink painted bookcase gets a boost of energy from the flowers and butterfly-printed curtains.
Heidi Caillier made this built-in bookcase pop by painting it a mint green color that contrasts with the warmth of the light cream walls. The antique and used books, along with the exposed wood beam, make the living room feel more lived-in and homey.
This NYC dining room features wall-to-wall bookshelves so the space can be used as a formal entertaining area as well as a study, thanks to the large dining table. Since books are colorful, they also double as artwork.
Cameron Ruppert Interiors transformed this dining room and its shelves into a jewel box, thanks to the vibrant, reflective blue lacquer. It pops out against the animal-print carpet and floral wallpaper in the distance. Metallic bronze picture lights highlight the China display and a matching rail for a library ladder add extra sparkle. If your bookcases are also in a dining room like this, dedicate some lower drawers for entertaining necessities, like silverware or bar items.
The wall-to-wall shelves in this home viewing and media room designed by Brigette Romanek house a vast book collection. The svelte-legged seating prevents it from feeling overstuffed. The larger coffee table books are accommodated by a column of wider open shelves by the arched doorway.
This home office nook within a bedroom by Katies Hodges makes a strong case for building a bookcase around a small desk. The soft gray paint color, eyelet cabinet cutouts, and whimsical chair and mirror make for a gentle environment. And don't forget to carve out as much storage space as possible to stay organized. Extra baskets can house any leftover books.
"The room doesn't get a lot of light, so I decided to make it cozy and turned it into an English-style portrait room, which is ridiculous, but fun," says celebrity chef Alex Hitz. He lined his study with books from floor to ceiling and then hung a portrait of his friend Nan Kempner by Peter Rogers to break up all the books.
No space goes unused in this eye-catching study by Brockschmidt and Coleman. The built-in cubbies framing the doorway and under the stairs create visual impact and keep useable floor space clutter-free—an impressive feat in a room this compact housing such an extensive collection.
Though the vintage desk is used in Kathleen McCormick's home office has drawers, she needed to utilize the walls for more storage. A custom wood storage shelving spans the walls and brings dimension and warmth to the otherwise modern white surfaces. So while it's custom and technically still built into the wall, it takes a different approach to the other examples on our list.
As much as we love the look of exposed shelves, we're also a fan of a great statement wall painted in an accent color. Here, Heidi Caillier opted for a soothing, nature-inspired green tone with small brass knobs for the built-in cabinets.
Not everyone can have a secret library in their house, but if you do have a spare room and a love for stories that make your imagination soar, use this one designed by Studio Seilern as inspiration. The room is accessed through a door disguised as a bookshelf and though there are only two levels, the mirrored ceiling gives the illusion of a never-ending tower of books.
Customize seating with open storage for books in a small study, guest room, or even an entryway. But don't stop there! The fully-stocked bookshelves extend over the window and across the opposite wall in this home office designed by Leanne Ford.
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