18 Creative And Space-Saving Bookshelf Ideas

Turn your bookshelf into a striking feature piece

Home & Decor
Home & Decor
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Don’t clutter up your bookshelf with books and random stuff — it can be a real eyesore! Here’s how to turn it into a living room centerpiece.

Storage space, especially for books and decor, is an essential part of the home — and it’s something that every homeowner requests during renovations. But what if they could be more than just functional or basic? Here are some bookshelf design ideas that up the style stakes of the home interior, to inspire you.

1. Wide frames

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The items displayed on these shelves look like they’re part of an art installation, thanks to the wide frame around them. Backlighting enhances the effect.

2. Bookshelf as partition

Credit: Novelist Hanya Yanagihara’s bedroom bookshelf. Photo by Brooke Holm
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Carve out your home office or library from a room by using a large bookshelf as a divider.

3. Sofa with bookshelf

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Customise a sofa with a bookshelf built into the back of it.

4. Staircase railing

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Instead of installing a hand rail, a bookshelf was built on one side of this staircase.

5. High ceiling bookshelf

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Taking advantage of the high ceilings, the designers created a mezzanine floor so as to access the books on the very top.

6. HDB bomb shelter

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This bookshelf was built over the door of the bomb shelter door to conceal it.

7. Bookshelves as walls

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This Parisian flat was designed to include five bookcases, big and small, which separate three living spaces.

8. Under sofa storage

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Bookshelves as part of the sofa – a brilliant, space-saving idea!

9. Wood bookshelf

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To set a warm tone throughout the space, wood was the main material used for built-ins, such as this bookshelf.

10. Geometric bookshelf

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No need for a feature wall when your bookshelf is in a creative, geometric arrangement.

11. Conceal walls

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A wall divides the dining area and bedroom, but it is concealed behind this large bookcase.

12. Ambient lights

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When designing your customised bookshelf, include ambient lighting for a cosy living room.

13. Gold hardware

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Gold handles give this bookshelf an Art Deco look. This bookcase also conceals the store room entrance.

14. Living room

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The homeowner is a teacher with many books and files. A large bookshelf was incorporated into her TV feature wall.

15. Stack your books

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Put some books standing straight up and others stacked lying down to keep it interesting.

16. Arrange books by colour

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An easy way to get that bookshelf looking great. For visual thinkers, organising your books by colour might be the easiest way to find what you’re looking for.

17. Mementos

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Add mementos and other curios that will give personality to your bookcase. A uniquely designed bookend is extra practical, too!

18. Nature

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Include organic elements thoughtfully like a bowl of rocks or a tank of seashells. These little details give your shelves a dash of vibrancy

A version of this article was originally published on Home & Decor.

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