Bookcases and shelves are not only designed to accommodate books.  They are also best for organizing your room and completing its interior design.  A bookcase is the ideal furniture where you can display your valuable photographs, framed certificates, trophies, and your small knick knacks.  Without it, your room will look drab and incomplete. And if you really have lots of books, then it would be nearly impossible to organize them in a systematic manner if you do not have a bookcase.  So we will try to provide you with tips and practical ideas on how to buy the best shelves and bookcases for your room.

There are so many types, styles, and models of bookcases and shelves.  That is why it is quite confusing to choose which among the hundreds of bookcases in the market would be best for you. The key to make your shopping experience a lot easier is to set your requirements and look for a bookcase that meets your standard.  For example, you should decide whether you want a bookcase that extends all the way to the ceiling or a shelf that is only waist-high.  There are also bookcases with open or closed shelves.  Some models even have doors, small cabinets, or adjustable shelves.  You have to thresh out the details first before you purchase a bookcase.

Major Types of Bookcases

Bookcases and shelves come in various designs and styles. But you can categorize them into two main types.  The first and the most common type of bookcase is the free standing model.  Freestanding bookcases are widely available in the market.  You can easily find them in online shops or in local furniture stores.  Freestanding models are preferred by many because they can be moved easily across the room.  Another type that you may want to consider is the built-in bookcase model.  Built-in shelves and bookcases are not very versatile because you have to mount them on the wall.  So you can not easily move them anytime you want.  However, built-in bookcases can offer greater stability because they are securely fastened on the wall.

Some Styles That Are Worth Considering

Choosing the right styles of bookcases and shelves is more difficult.  That is because bookcases come in a wide variety of styles.  For starters, you may want to consider corner shelves and bookcases.  These bookcases are great space savers and ideal for rooms that have limited or small floor areas.  They can fit easily into a corner so you can maximize the empty spaces in your room.  Corner bookcases are also wonderful decorative elements and will add a bit of glamour to your room.

Another style that may be right for you is the floating bookcase.  This is also a great space saver because you can mount it on the wall which maximizes your room’s vertical space.  If you are looking for bookcases and shelves that can also serve as a wall décor, then these floating bookcases are your perfect choice.  In some stores, a floating bookcase is also cheaper and more affordable.

A solid wood bookcase can provide lots of benefits for you.  First of all, bookcases made from solid stock are more durable.  These types of bookcases are so sturdy they can last a lifetime if you will just maintain them properly.  Solid wood shelves and bookcases are also very appealing and more attractive.  This is another advantage that you can get from bookcases made from solid wood.  Lastly, these types of bookcases can provide superior protection for your books.  The solid and sturdy construction of wooden bookcases will ensure that your valuable collections of books will have enough base support.

It is not really difficult to choose a solid wood bookcase.  There are so many brands and models of wood bookcases and all you have to do is to select one that will match the interior design of your room.  When buying a bookcase, the first thing that you have to consider is its size.  You have to know the exact dimension of the product so you can determine if it will fit perfectly in your room.  Another important factor to consider is the unique features that the bookcase can offer.  Some important features of a bookcase include adjustable shelves, special compartments, doors or enclosures, and the height of the shelves.  Make sure that these specs will match your requirements so you can properly organize your books and maximize the value of the bookcase.

Solid Wood Bookcases that You Should Checkout

1.  Mission Style Solid Wood Folding Bookcase — This type of solid wood bookcase has 4-tier bookshelves.  It is 26-inches wide and 42-inches tall.  Its depth measures 12.3 inches and can accommodate almost all types of books.  The stock material is beech wood and has a natural finish.  This is a very sturdy bookcase and can withstand heavy load.  The design scheme is natural so it would be suitable for almost all types of interior designs.  The bookcase can be folded which allows portability.  You can easily transport this bookcase or move it to another location in case you want to change your room layout.

2.  Oak Finish Bookcase Headboard — This is a solid wood bookcase that can double as a headboard for your children’s bed.  The stock material is made from solid oak which makes the bookcase extremely elegant and stylish.  The bookcase is 41-inches wide and 35-inches tall with exact depth of 8 inches.  You can easily convert this model as a freestanding bookcase, a side table attachment, or a headboard for platform beds.  The product may require assembly.

3.  Regency Waterfall Bookcase — This solid wood bookcase is made from plantation grown Honduran mahogany.  This bookcase has four graduated shelves that resemble the exotic shape of a waterfall.  It features an extra drawer at the bottom for storage and a three-quarter gallery.  The bookcase has stained mahogany semi-gloss finish.  It is 43-inches tall and 22-inches wide.  The small footprint of this bookcase makes it the ideal furniture for smaller rooms.  This bookcase is suitable for home and office use and can be moved easily anywhere in the room.

Ladder bookcases are becoming the leading favorites of modern interior decorators. These types of bookshelves reflect modern styles because of their sleek construction, small footprint, and highly functional features.  These are called ‘ladders’ because they resemble that shape of conventional movable construction ladders.  A ladder bookshelf can offer several benefits for homeowners.  Space saving is one of the biggest benefits that you can enjoy from ladder shelves.  You can easily mount a ladder bookshelf against the wall or position it in any corner of the house.  The slim frames of the bookcase will not take up much floor space. If you have a small room, the ladder-style bookcase is a good option.

A Quick Overview of Different Models of Ladder Bookcases

1.  Black Stone Corner Ladder Bookcases – These bookcases feature 5-tier shelves with different dimensions to allow for assorted storage or display.  A typical model is 73-inches tall and 19.5-inches wide.  The bookcase looks like a small pyramid from a distance because of its triangular shape.  It is specifically designed to fit in tight corner areas, small rooms, reception areas, and to complement study or work tables.  The frame and the base boards of the bookcase are made from solid wood and have exquisite shiny black stone finish.  The black stone ladder-style corner bookcase is suitable for modern homes and can effectively complement contemporary furniture.

2.  Espresso Ladder Bookcases — The Espresso ladder-style leaning bookcase offers 5-tier shelves that are suitable for all kinds of books.  Because the shelves are wide enough, it is also ideal as display area for your photographs and toy collections.  The overall design of the bookcase resembles a real ladder so it could serve as a point of interest in your room.  The Espresso bookcase is made from solid wood and has a refined dark brown finish.  This bookcase is perfect for small apartments, condo, bachelor’s pad, and for the study room.

3.  Winsome Wood Bailey Shelving Unit — Winsome Wood provides some of the best ladders bookcases today.  Its 5-tier shelving unit could be a perfect addition for your home or office.  This bookcase has an extremely sleek construction and will not occupy much space in room.  It has a matte black finish and made from solid wood frame and composite wood shelves.  The bookcase measures 25 inches wide and 75 inches high.  It has an overall depth of 14 inches which provides ample space for big books and other collectibles.  The shelves feature low rails at the back and sides to prevent books from tumbling down.  This bookcase is suitable for modern offices and homes.

4.  Madison Loop Ladder Bookcases — These bookcases have antique white finish and greatly influenced by Scandinavian designs.  These can add an airy ambiance to any room because of the refreshing hint of white.  A Madison Loop ladder bookshelf features 5-tier wide shelves and can accommodate up to 87.5 pounds of maximum load.  It is highly portable and the wide base provides good stability.  This bookcase is perfect addition for the modern workplace.