Family room bookshelves
24 Inspiring Living Room Bookshelf Ideas
Design Stiles
While the term "shelfie" may have been kicking around the internet since 2014, as far as we're concerned, this trend has officially reached timeless status. (Who can resist an artful arrangement of books, plants, and knickknacks when placed just-so on a sleek bookshelf?) But the latest inspiration rooms we love place a *little* more emphasis on the bookcase's original purpose—that is, storing books.
Whether you're a voracious reader who spends half her monthly budget at the local indie bookstore or just someone who appreciates flipping through a few choice periodicals, there's no denying that a pair of stately bookshelves in the living room lends an elevated, well-appointed air to your space. And with fall in full swing, we can't think of anything that sounds cozier than curling up in your own personal home library with a cup of coffee and a favorite read.
Luckily, no matter if you're blessed with built-ins or just rocking a few IKEA KALLAXes, these designs will fill you with the shelf-confidence you need to make your living room's bookshelves really stand out. (Just don't be surprised if these stacked shelves inspire you to pick up a little more reading material of your own—don't say we didn't warn you.)
Here are our most inspiring bookshelf design ideas for the living room.
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Morse Design
Rule-breakers, rejoice: this expertly-styled shelf shows there's no reason to stay inside the lines. Popping an oversized piece of art out in the center of the shelves creates a playful, eye-catching effect we love.
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Fire Finish Interiors
Blame it on one-too-many viewings of "Beauty & The Beast" when we were kids, but there's something downright dreamy about a rolling library-style ladder. It adds a certain charm and works well if you have taller shelves with novels just out of your reach. Pick up a reclaimed piece to add vintage flair to your shelves.
03 of 24
House Nine Interior Design
There are two schools of thought when it comes to wall-mounted TVs: one suggests making the TV as unobtrusive as possible through various forms of camouflage.
..but we're partial to the opposite approach. Frame your TV with shelves and let it be the family focal point it is.
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Daniel Triassi
Drop it low. We love the optical illusion of "extending" a few low shelves by color blocking the wall above with the same paint color. Not only does it add a whimsical touch to standard floating shelves, but it lets you play with proportion too—and add lighting right above your favorite titles.
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Olga Naiman
One more way to get your wallpaper fix: by dressing up boxy white built-ins a la designer Olga Naiman. Adding fun prints and colors can help showcase your home library with ease. You can choose to add wallpaper to the entire back of the shelving or pick and choose certain ones to create interest and intrigue.
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Sita Montgomery Interiors
Give your favorite book (and a few hundred of its best friends) the star treatment it deserves. Try adding gallery-style light fixtures mounted right above the shelves to cast a spotlight on your collection.
Nothing but the best for a literary masterpiece, right?
07 of 24
In Honor of Design
This might be the coolest way to draw your eye upward that we've ever seen. A long and skinny expanse of books positioned at the top third of the room's walls brings a personality-filled accent to this cozy den. Adding a row of artwork above only adds a creative edge to your artistic display.
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Bloggaibagis
More of a magazine reader? We hear you. This minimal ledge system makes for the perfect place to display all your favorite glossies (and swap them out whenever the latest issues arrive.)
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Design Stiles
Floating shelves aren't just for the kitchen. Opt for an ultra-airy feel by employing them in a living room—they balance out heavier architectural elements beautifully. As a bonus, stacking floating shelves creates a stunning illusion that is properly displayed without any furniture blockage.
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Allie Wilson Home
If you don't have a ton of space or want to keep things understated, we totally get it.
Grabbing a vintage or midcentury modern style shelving unit and dedicating certain portions to your books is an ideal option. You don't have to sacrifice your love of literature due to limited space.
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Our Cliftonwood Home
If you really want your at-home library to shine, you don't just have to focus on the shelving. Try organizing the books together by color. The rainbow trend is eye-catching and creates an artistic masterpiece in its own right.
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K Shan Design
Another way to highlight your favorite novels is by using bookends. However, what you use is entirely up to you and a great way to show some personality. Any type of heavy knick-knack, vintage dećor item, or even a houseplant will do the trick.
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East and Lane
Don't just make a statement with your books—make an entrance. Add bookcases or shelving around the doorway leading into your living room to create a framing effect. If you want to give the impression of a larger space, match the walls and shelves to create a seamless appearance.
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Molly Bruno Interiors
Displaying your collection of books can be done in a variety of ways. Experimenting with color and symmetry is an easy way to ensure your bookcases are tidy and sleek yet don't steal away from what you're truly trying to display. In the living room shown here, the blue bookcases are already a strong focal point. Still, the close attention to detail regarding the shelves and the item placements on each one create a balanced and sophisticated aesthetic.
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Dan Rak Design
Rather than going with wooden bor boxed in shelving, go for a metallic modern version instead. The simple, silver shelving blends into the wall with ease and doesn't take up too much space. It's an ideal option if you have wallpaper or a paint color you aren't wanting to cover up with traditional bookcases.
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Domm Dot Com
No need to limit your collection—take up an entire wall if you have to! Turning your book collection into an accent wall is an incredible conversation starter and puts all your books on display, so you're never too far from a great read.
You can also keep your couch close by to create a cozy reading space.
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Katherine Carter
While there is absolutely no shame in lining up every inch of space with books, sometimes you may prefer a more minimal option. If you have a selection of carefully curated books you want to display, try only placing one or two on each shelf to allow them to shine. You can also opt to lay them horizontally and stack them one on top of the other since you'll have the extra space—the unordinary placement will definitely have people's attention.
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Katie Martinez Design
Not ready to commit to a full-on dark bookcase? Opt to paint just the back wall of each shelf to add a bold pop of color that will flatter all your favorite knickknacks. If your shelving is white or a lighter shade, the contrasts will add a bit of drama to your collection.
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Katie Martinez Design
Sometimes we have uneven space or layouts that we simply can't avoid—so make the most of them.
Build your bookcase or install your shelves in a way that incorporates the architecture, like the living room shown here did with its shelves custom fit around the slightly raised wall. The dimensional effect was worth the extra effort.
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Lindsey Brooke Design
If your goal is to make a unique impression, then look no further. Rather than displaying the spines of your books, turn them around and display the opposite. If your walls and bookcase are a dark color, this works even better due to the contrast of the lighter pages with the furniture. Who doesn't love a bit of mystery, right?
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Mary Patton Design
Who knew built-ins could stand out so much? A bit of on-trend royal purple paint transforms these shelves into something truly special. The bright bookcase paired with the orange couch truly catches your attention and makes for a fun atmosphere to discuss your favorite chapters with others.
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Marie Flanigan Interiors
If you don't want to stick to straight shelving concepts, we totally get it.
Adding angular inserts to a standard built-in bookshelf brings an edgy architectural element we love. Plus, it creates opportunities for more playful styling arrangements.
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Rikki Snyder
For those who prefer a more eclectic style, don't feel limited by your traditional shelving options. Shelves that are completely concealed by your books give a delightful floating appearance and can work as a place to display other dećor items. Take it a step further and use unorthodox items as a place to showcase your books—we're a big fan of the way this wall used old-school desks.
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Rikki Snyder
Dealing with windows and bookcase placement can be tricky but is not impossible to work with. Opting for smaller bookshelves makes a gorgeous impression without blocking any of your natural light. If you happen to have a fireplace like the living room shown here, smaller bookcases can also create a streamlined appearance that looks lovely and cohesive.
20 Home Library Ideas Every Bookworm Will Love
10 smart living room bookshelves |
(Image credit: Future)
Books bring color and character to any room, but finding ways to store and stylishly showcase a large collection of books can be a challenge. While living room bookshelf ideas need to be aesthetically-pleasing above all, they also need to accommodate room size, architectural details and volume of books too.
When considering bookshelf ideas the options available depend on budget and whether the bookshelf is to be a permanent fixture or a freestanding bookcase that can be moved should it be necessary. Incorporating a bespoke built-in living room bookshelf is an investment that will need more consideration and planning, but it can make a handsome and practical addition to any family living room.
Living room bookshelf ideas
Living room bookshelf ideas aren't just about storage – living room shelving ideas are about giving a space soul, too.
‘A room without books is like a body without a soul’ goes the oft-repeated phrase. And it’s true that books and home library ideas can be a wonderful feature that will enrich any space.
‘You can spend an immense amount of time, money and effort on creating a beautifully designed space, with stunning furniture, lighting and accessories,’ says interior designer Suzy Hoodless , ‘but it’s not until books are added that it becomes a home. For me, books are essential to completing a project and giving it character.’
1. Opt for bespoke built-ins
(Image credit: Future / Mel Yates)
In many living room ideas, alcove areas on either side of a fireplace provide the perfect location and opportunity to incorporate a set of built-in living room bookshelves floor to ceiling. Alcoves are often awkwardly-shaped and a non-standard size that rules out off-the-peg pieces, so designing a home library space that is tailored to suit the dimensions is the perfect solution. And with living room shelves and walls painted a standout color, the whole area can become a fabulous focal point.
‘I like painted shelves and I often paint the inside and outside of a bookcase or the back and side walls around it, in different colors,’ says interior designer Charlotte Crosland . ‘If the shelves aren’t completely filled, it’s nice to see the contrasting color behind. Shelves in natural wood or timber stained to a rich color, or even stone can look good.’
2. Frame a doorway with shelves
(Image credit: Future / Davide Lovati)
When thinking about living room storage, it’s not always the most obvious spot that makes the best location for book storage ideas. Instead of focusing on prime areas, such as a chimney breast wall or the area behind a couch, it’s worth considering if there are any overlooked areas that can be called into action.
Using the area above and around a doorway for bookshelves and built-in cabinet ideas for family rooms is a brilliant way of utilizing dead wall space that might otherwise be wasted. Floor-to-ceiling shelves that wrap-around a doorway, help to bring symmetry and focus to what would otherwise be just a thoroughfare and can look stunning when painted a bold shade that contrasts with the living room.
3. Create continuity with sleek built-in shelving
(Image credit: Future / David Lovati)
The appeal of built-in living room bookshelves is that they can be designed to accommodate the style and proportions of the space as well as being tailored to suit specific storage needs. Shelf size can be arranged and adapted, whether its shelves full of oversized art books that’s required or smaller-scale cubbies for paperbacks and novels.
And while boldly painted shelves can make a fabulous focal point feature, using calmer colors and soft neutral shades for paintwork is a clever way of making shelves blend seamlessly into a living room or creating continuity in through-lounges and double reception rooms.
‘I often find that in houses with a double reception room, the back hall ends up looking rather empty and gloomy. Lining the walls with shelves of books, including over the door, gives the space a purpose and makes a fabulous place to sit and read,’ says Charlotte Crosland.
4. Consider storage in unexpected places
(Image credit: Future / Emma Lewis)
A bay window space with comfy seating makes the prime location for reading nook ideas, so it’s worth factoring in extra book storage if there’s space available. Framing a bay window with built-in living room bookcases utilizes sections of wall space that might otherwise be wasted and will give slimline storage for a few extra tomes.
Painting walls, woodwork and architrave in a co-ordinating color throughout creates a cohesive look so that walls and furniture blend in, whether it’s a bold, standout shade like this, or a more muted, understated hue.
‘Books can look great in a living room, they add interest and color, convey personality and take dominance away from the television,’ says Simon Tcherniak, Senior Designer at Neville Johnson . ‘A big advantage of getting a bespoke living room bookcase installed is that the size of the shelves can suit the collection on display.
It’s a good idea to organize books according to size or even color, to make the feature appear more striking.’
5. Make a bookcase the focal point
(Image credit: Future / Polly Eltes)
Whether built-in book shelves or an off-the-peg piece, how to style a bookcase can often be a conundrum. The trick should always be to make books and bookshelves an elegant addition to a room, rather than them becoming a distraction.
‘Start with key books and build around them,’ says Suzy Hoodless. ‘Try to develop a rhythm, so you might have lots of big books spread out across the shelves, punctuated with smaller ones in between. It’s not an exact science, but then I don’t like things to look too perfect.’
‘I often store books in a mix of vertical and horizontal stacks, with an object on top of the horizontal piles to create interest – rather like an open cabinet of curiosities and precious memories.’
6. Paint shelves to complement wall color
(Image credit: Future / Jonathan Gooch)
Color choice is a key consideration when it comes to built-in living room bookshelf ideas.
Painting shelves to match wall color can help give the space a more cohesive, intimate feel with walls and shelves blending in as one. While going darker with your bookcase color will make books pop against the dark background and is a wonderful way of showing off a treasured collection of reads.
Alternatively, painting shelves a contrast color can create a more impactful look that will make bookcases stand out against walls. Or compromise by painting just the back panels of bookcases a bold shade that will add just a pop of color without overwhelming the space.
7. Conceal a secret door in a bookcase
(Image credit: Future / David Lovati)
Living room bookshelves that disguise a secret door leading to a hidden passageway are the ultimate in mystery. But aside from the fun factor, incorporating a door into a bookcase design is a clever way of concealing a smaller adjoining space or creating an uninterrupted run of shelving if a doorway is awkwardly positioned.
Turning a door into a bookcase will require expert carpentry – with heavy-duty hinges and a sliding mechanism – and you’ll also need to decide whether this section will be a narrower fake shelf with faux books, or a full sized run of shelving.
8. Go semi-bespoke for a sleek look
(Image credit: Oka)
As an alternative to bespoke built-in living room bookshelves, modular storage offers a less-pricey option that is far more flexible than standard freestanding bookcases. Modular bookshelves come in a variety of sizes, with different widths, depths and heights, making it possible to create a more tailored arrangement that will suit the shape and size of living room space available. And far from choice being limited, many different designs are available from wood finishes and colors to pre-primed options ready for painting, to give a more individual semi-bespoke effect.
‘While living room bookshelves provide excellent storage, they can also transform the look and feel of a room,’ says Sue Jones, Co-Founder and Creative Director of OKA .
‘I designed our Ashmolean range after struggling to find the perfect bookshelves for my own home library. I wanted them to be really simple and timeless, so they would suit both modern and traditional homes. Combining tall and narrow versions can turn a dark corner into a cozy reading nook. I love using mine to display my favorite ornaments too; it really adds character to a space.’
9. Make it your own with a mix of media
(Image credit: Neptune)
While a separate home library may be the dream, the reality is often a lack of living room space which means a compromise is necessary. A storage unit with a combination of living room bookshelves and media storage can make the perfect solution if living room space is tight, with room for books, TV, media kit and equipment.
Combining different-sized sections offers a ‘make-it-your-own’ style option that can be used to create a whole wall of media and book storage. While an added benefit of modular furniture is that pieces can be added (or taken away) further down the line for greater flexibility.
10. Try a freestanding bookcase
(Image credit: Cotswold Company)
If built-in storage isn’t an option, a freestanding living room bookcase offers a flexible solution. It can be moved to a different spot if the living room layout is re-jigged at a later date or the bookcase can be taken with you should a future house move occur.
Measure up and double-check the space available before buying, including height, width and depth, which is key if it’s to fit a particular spot and you don’t want the bookcase to protrude into the room too much. A design with adjustable shelves is a must, so that shelves can be arranged to suit book height. Tall bookshelves will also need to be anchored to the wall so that there’s no danger of them toppling over. A stabilizing strap will often be included with an off-the-peg bookcase.
How do you organize shelves in a living room?
Just as with bedroom bookshelf ideas, it's all aesthetics when organizing shelves in a living room.
‘Needless to say, most bookcases will hold more than a book or two, but the ways of displaying them are plentiful,’ says Meaghan Hunter, in-house stylist at Neptune . ‘There’s the color-coded look, there’s the painted-spine idea that gives all of your tomes all the same tone, and there’s the ordered-by-genre and ordered-by-size approach.
‘By allowing books to amass freely – red books next to yellow, leather-bound aside canvas-covered, paperback neighboring weighty hardbacks – you create a bank of texture that closely mirrors the nostalgic stacks seen on childhood library visits. Let some lean while others stand strong, mix brand new releases with salvaged stories whose pages have turned yellow-tinged. It’s the perfect antidote to the untouchable feel that curated book displays can cause.’
What can I put on my shelves in my living room?
‘If your bookcase is filled to the rafters, consider editing it down to focus purely on one objective,’ adds Meaghan Hunter.
‘Mix in the odd antique accessory – such as gilded frame oils, apothecary-esque bottles and jars, plus bell jars encasing novels withered, weathered and treasured – to break up the books and to heighten the feeling of warmth and familiarity you’ll have already given rise to.’
Prefer to abide by books? Set it out as being a showcase for classic coffee table literature – your big books, your style-conscious reads, your judge-a-book-by-its-cover sorts. Stack them so that the spines are easily read, and if one cover is especially appealing, let it be by itself with nothing to distract from it.’
Lisa is a freelance journalist who has written about interiors for more than 25 years and has worked on all the major homes titles, primarily Ideal Home, but also including Homes & Gardens, Country Homes & Interiors, Style at Home, Livingetc, Woman & Home, Easy Gardens and Good Homes magazines. Lisa writes about interior design and decor ideas for Homes & Gardens.
Photo of bookcases for libraries
Photo of bookcases for libraries - TD SenatorMain menu
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Own rich library with complete works of domestic and foreign classics, with fashion novelties, encyclopedias, dictionaries, as well as special shelves with selected authors - the dream of every real book lover. But such luxury requires appropriate design - the beautiful bookcases in the interior, presented in the photo in the Senator catalog, show how amazing and noble it can look! nine0003
Bookcases are essential for rationally and aesthetically organizing the space of a library, study, office, living room, bedroom or children's room. Although modern design allows and actively uses the installation of cabinets, including for books, in completely unpredictable places: on loggias, in corridors, in areas under stairs, even in bathrooms!
Let's point out right away: we are ready to apply both classic and innovative solutions! We invite you to the gallery of the Trading House "Senator", where you can be convinced of this by evaluating the photos of the projects we have already implemented! With our help, your books, documents, stamp collections, family photo albums, souvenirs and other useful or pleasant little things will find their own unique place in the house! nine0003
Library from the company "Senator": classic or modern?
Modern bookcases (you will see a photo below) are a combination of functionality and reliability, the use of the latest design and technological achievements of furniture production.
The shelves can be completely open for quick access to books, they can be covered with transparent glass facades, or they can be a functional structure that combines a storage system, a work area, and a desk. nine0003
Classic bookcase: photo and design options
Classic is the style that is not subject to capricious fashion, it is always relevant. Our designers will offer solutions that are suitable for your interior, because there are many trends in traditional style!
A classic bookcase can be decorated in a romantic-light Provence, in the spirit of a strict Victorian era, in an elegant modern style with a predominance of glass – there are countless ideas and options!
See how impressive, expensive and noble a massive wardrobe with hinged doors and darkened transparent facades looks on the photo! The deep shade of Caravaggio Walnut will bring a completely strict and working tone to the atmosphere. nine0003
Or check out how elegant and airy an open shelving unit looks! The photo, of course, does not fully convey the mood, but such a storage for books in the Provence style will be a great addition to the room decor for a young person.
Current bookcase design options: photos and comments
A small home collection also needs its place - a compact shelving or mini-library will come in handy in a child's room, in a bedroom, in a living room, in a corridor. If they are finished and furnished in one of the trendy and popular styles, in the tradition of minimalism, hi-tech, modern, pop art, futurism, we have worthy ideas! nine0003
When choosing and designing, remember that functionality depends primarily on the intended load. No matter how extravagant the design turns out to be in the end, it must withstand the weight of its contents, and this figure should not be exceeded!
We recommend that you pay attention to one of the following striking solutions. The bookshelves recessed into the wall are actually built like wardrobes: a niche is used, but the space remains open! Add juicy fruit shades to white, and such a cabinet will successfully complement any avant-garde interior! nine0003
The variant, created as if specifically for high-tech, looks concise in the photo, due to the correct and most accurately adjusted geometry, but ultra-modern.
With chrome elements and frosted glass
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We make bookcases in all sizes, but please note when ordering that the dimensions must match the volume of the room. A narrow and high bookcase will be “lost” in a spacious office, but if you decide to equip a workplace on a loggia, it will have no equal! nine0003
Even a small and compact bookcase can be a stylish accent or addition to an existing design. In current trends, asymmetry is often used for this purpose: non-standard bookshelves can visually "break" the space in such a way that it will only benefit! At the same time, there will be a place to store documents, textbooks, stationery and much more.
Sometimes you want to hide valuable folios from prying eyes. In this regard, mirrored sliding doors are universal: they can be used in any style and interior! Place a sliding wardrobe with a mirror facade in a hookah room, billiard room or lounge area so that you can always relax while reading in a comfortable environment.
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Look at the photos of bookcases presented in the catalog, look for similar ideas, come up with new ones, hire our designer as an assistant, create your own home library!
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Interior Design Minsk —advice - Alfa-Mebel
Decided to update your interior design? We offer custom-made furniture of any complexity: custom-made cabinet furniture, custom-made kitchens, slides, walls in Minsk, children's furniture and much more. You can also order Minsk interior design from us. Our designers will think over every detail in your interior. Here are some simple tips for your interior design. nine0057
Sofa Cushions
To highlight your sofa, place two 50 cm square cushions with a bold pattern in the corners. Overlap them with two 40cm pillows in a coordinating solid color. Add one lumbar pillow with a subtle pattern (such as stripes) for a balanced design.
Hang a picture at the right height
Most people hang pictures too high. Place the painting so that its base is only 10-20 cm above the furniture — lower for large pictures and a little higher for small items. When there is too much space between the furniture and the picture, the eye lies on the void, the empty wall between the two parts. nine0057
Arrange bookshelves
Arrange 60 percent of the books vertically and 40 percent horizontally on the shelves. It creates balance, yet spontaneity at the same time (and shows the back of the bookshelf if lined with decorative fabric). Stack Horizontal Books Below Vertical Books: If the vertical books are 30 centimeters high, place three to four books horizontally— up to 10 cm high. Add green plants to soften the bookshelf, but avoid colors that can appear cluttered and distracting. nine0003
Creating a space with the right mirror position
Mirror, mirror, on the wall: Which one is best placed? Experts say it is better to center at a height of about 1.
5 meters. To create the illusion of more space, place a mirror in front of a window to reflect the light.
Place a rug based on its size
The size of the rug under, say, a coffee table will dictate how you walk around it. With a rug 2.5 meters wide, position the sofa and all chairs so that the front legs are on the rug and the rear legs are not. With a 1.5 by 2.5 meter rug, the legs of the sofa should not be on the carpet, but still place the front legs of the chairs on it. In a large family room, use two rugs to create two separate spaces. nine0057
Measure Dining Tables Before You Buy
Want to buy a new dining table? Make sure it's wider than 90cm. This allows you to eat even when the center of the table is filled with serving dishes and centerpieces. Difficulties with space? Consider a round table. It fits well into a small nook and without any ribs offers more space for eating.
Follow this color scheme
When choosing a color palette, assign 60 percent of the room to the dominant color, 30 percent to the secondary color, and 10 percent to the accent color.
