Living room book storage
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.
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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?
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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
11 Inspiring Living Room Bookshelf Ideas for Spaces of All Sizes
My relationship with my books is everlasting. With their dog-eared pages and patinaed covers, books endure well into our tech-saturated world. Every time I look at my little library, I revel in the literary travels I’ve taken. That’s why I love to explore fresh living room bookshelf ideas for inspiration on how to arrange these bounded beauties.
Typically, the tip for a stylish bookshelf is as follows: include one-third books, one-third home décor accessories, and one-third negative space. I’ve learned this rule of thumb from interviewing countless interior designers. My take? Go rogue. Let the shelves breathe or fill them until they’re brimming. Of course, you want to avoid clutter but you can still play by your own rules. It’s invigorating to create on a clean palette—and in this case, your shelf is your canvas.
For inspiration, I perused our Home Tour archives to see how some of the most design-savvy women we know style their bookshelves.
Each of these shelving arrangements boasts personality and charm. They’re an invitation to mix colors and keepsakes, blend different titles and genres, and lean flea-market finds next to favorite authors.
So, to draw from Camille’s advice from her own recent living room bookshelf refresh: Put on a great playlist, get creative, and breathe some new life into your home with these 10 ideas pulled from some of our favorite spaces.
Feature image by Michelle Nash.
1 of 11Image by Nikole Ramsay
#1: Looking UpLeave it to Alex McCabe, the co-founder of textile and home décor collection Kip&Co, to boast one of the chicest bookshelves—ever. Everything about this set-up, from the rich black industrial materials to the quirky art, impresses, but what is particularly noteworthy is the vertical scale. McCabe capitalized on the floor-to-ceiling real estate to display her beloved books and keepsakes.
2 of 11Photo by Danielle Sabol
#2: Going MinimalA handful of books.
Several noir collectors’ items. Three minimally framed pieces of art. This minimalist bookshelf set-up à la Ashley Robertson is total dream. For one, it proves that you don’t need much to create a conversation-worthy shelf. It also celebrates the beauty found in allowing negative space to breathe.
Image by Molly Culver
#3: Embracing the Flip SideAustin-based interior designer Emily Kunas has a knack for merging color and natural materials, as evidenced by her stunning and breezy 70s condo. She also adds an unexpected twist to things: Her shelf boasts extra interest with the books’ spines turned inward. This look offers a layer of natural-hued texture.
4 of 11Image by Laura Alexandre
#4: Letting the Books Take the Back SeatThat’s right. It’s a bookshelf—but it’s also a means to display anything you want, be it plants, art, even negative space. Consider only adding a few books to the shelf to let alternate pieces shine.
Christina Cleveland nails this décor look in her creative DIY-inspired Austin loft.
Image by Belathée Photography
#5: Mixing and MatchingNo rules are followed on Jennifer Vaughn Miller’s shelf, which is one of a million reasons to love it. The New York-based designer blends sizes, genres, and colors, even tossing in a few notebooks, in her vertical bookshelf. The result is a look that’s equally eclectic and accessible.
6 of 11Image by Ashlee Fox
#6: Keeping It NeutralWe know that Anissa Zajac, the co-founder of House Seven Design + Build, says to always follow a plan when it comes to interior design. For her own Indiana cottage, she abides by the rule of allowing neutrals and textures to reign, which is so beautifully exemplified in her bookshelf. With minimal books and ample texture, this look is a study of the beauty of earthy accessories.
7 of 11Image by Teal Thomsen
#7: Ladder MattersThere is undeniable ease inside the home of Ashley Merrill.
Everything has its place and intention, including this mobile ladder gracing the living room shelves. Leaned against a track that goes from one end of the shelved wall to the other, it allows for easy access to books and keepsakes displayed at high heights. Brilliant and stunning.
Photo by Michelle Nash.
#8: Color CodingGrouping books according to their cover colors is such an easy way to add instant dimension to a space. And when you incorporate the color-coding look in a taller bookshelf, it naturally draws the eye upward, thus making a small living room seem bigger.
9 of 11Image by Michelle Nash
#9: Two-SidedNoticed and admired: dual-sized shelves that showcase varying amounts of books and collectibles, as seen in Camille’s cozy, neutral living room. These shelves are different in size while still anchoring the space and offering ample room to showcase a mix of books, plants, and other small home accessories—all of which can be changed and updated for a quick (and affordable) room refresh.
Image by Belathée Photography
#10: Painted ShelvesTraditionally, bookshelf colors tend to come in neutral wood, black, or white. This makes sense, considering that it’s usually the displayed books and wares that call the attention. But that’s not to say the shelf itself can’t take some of the spotlight, just as Megan O’Neill’s striking sapphire blue bookshelves do here. A coat of vibrant paint seriously ups the ante.
11 of 11#11: Crisp White
With the above said about a brightly painted bookshelf, a row of sublimely white shelves will always do the décor trick of streamlining a room. Here, the combination of the low-profile frame and snow-white whites ensures that the color-coded books, magazines, plants, and accessories draw in the eye.
What’s your favorite way to style your bookshelves? Share which of these ideas you’re excited to try, stat!
35 functional and beautiful ways to store books in the interior - Roomble.
com 2021-09-04T03:10:00+00:00 2021-09-04T03:13:29+00:00 35 functional and beautiful ways to store books in the interior 2021-09-04T03:10:00+00:00 Do you have problems with the organization of bookshelves - there is not enough space or you want a bright and unusual solution? We present unexpected and interesting projects of "libraries" for modern interiors with space saving: from classic to outrageous 35 functional and beautiful ways to store books in the interior
Do you have problems organizing your bookshelves - lack of space or want a bright and unusual solution? We present unexpected and interesting projects of "libraries" for modern interiors with saving space: from classic to outrageous
Books for many of us - with all the abundance of television, the Internet, social networks, book readers and other gadgets in our lives - remain an indispensable friend and assistant.
Therefore, talk about the fact that the book has ceased to be a necessity, but is gradually turning into an anachronism, remains talk. To which you react less, the more books you have.
The question is different - how to place books in often not the most spacious living quarters? This is true not only for "Khrushchev" or nine-story buildings, but also for suburban housing, where it is much more spacious. After all, it is necessary not only to organize the storage of books, but also to provide easy access to them. And, most importantly, it should be beautiful.
The use of a ladder as a library at the same time is not a new idea, but it is very interesting and varied in its incarnations. The simplest options are easily implemented even without rework and serious hassle. Much of what is offered for review can be used as an addition to an existing interior. Well, if a “big repair” is being started, then it all depends only on the number of books you have and the desire to organize a new place for their storage - beautiful, unusual, convenient.
And it doesn't take up space at all.
Our opinion:
- It must be remembered that direct sunlight for books is the last thing they need. Therefore, in all cases when "beauty for" you place a shelf in a room full of light, try not to put collectible items on it. Limit yourself to pocketbooks and glossy magazines. Or a collection of works by the classics of Marxism-Leninism (ask the older generation).
The “classic” book storage scheme that we are accustomed to in a furniture wall or on shelves covering one of the walls is not the only possible one, which is already obvious. One of the brightest steps in this area is an unexpected and ingenious solution to increase the functionality of ordinary interior items by organizing books and magazines in them. The fantasy of designers overflows when this idea begins to be embodied "in the material." We agree that a lot of what is presented is quite realistic to do yourself - or order, based on the option you like the most.
Both the opening itself (passage) and the space around it are used. Filling a wall with a door or window with bookshelves is a superficial idea. Its attractiveness lies in the ease of implementation and in the most rational use of space. The functionality of the walls adjacent to the door or window, as a rule, is zero in ordinary interiors. Isn't it time to start fighting this unjustified tradition? And we will start with our own housing, which will only benefit from this.
The idea of a bookshelf as a wooden box with certain proportions, which is mounted on the wall and in which books are stored, has become outdated a long time ago. Unfortunately, manufacturers of mass furniture continue to live in the century before last, and it is rare to find anything original, beautiful and comfortable for sale that continues to be a bookshelf. But the most diverse ways of making bookshelves are possible, which - without losing functionality - will become a bright and memorable element of the interior.
The options for organizing storage places for a large number of books presented for review first of all cause a smile. And not because it's funny, not at all. The imagination of designers who came up with such unusual solutions is amazing. Agree that there is not a single idea for the sake of an idea, everything is completely functional and very convenient. If you organize something like this at home, then the competition for the possession of this space among family members will be the most serious.
Greetings from the novels of Alexandre Dumas (and other everyday writers of antiquity, antiquities and secrets), in which a lot of secret passages are hidden just behind the wall panels and bookcases. In our realities, such a move is appropriate, first of all, for turning a passage room into an impassable one. Quite often this is very, very relevant, but here is such an idea! And we hide the shortcomings of the apartment, and we organize a library place.
Well, it's not worth talking about the emotions of those who see it.
Our opinion:
— In order to realize the idea of a pivoting door-shelf, a professional is needed. Such a design is a rather complex engineering structure, and for its normal operation without distortions, a powerful frame system is needed, masked by a wooden cladding.
The traditional library wall, filled with cabinets or shelves, can be transformed in the most incredible way thanks to the designer's imagination and conditions "in place". From strict geometry to artsy empire style, from bright pop art to gloomy ethnic style - a wall with books can fit into any style. You just need to think a little and choose what you like the most.
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7 interiors where open book storage became a highlight
1 Bedroom with home library in dark brown
Open storage of books is not typical for a bedroom: this solution alone looks unusual.
In this very small room, an extensive home library does not create a clutter - all thanks to a single brown L-shaped module. At the same time, inside the module there are not closed shelves and cabinets, but ordinary shelves without walls. Interesting effect! The books themselves are arranged by color and complemented by figurines, candlesticks, photo frames.
Instagram @______theo
Instagram @______theo
Instagram @______theo
Instagram @______theo
2 Storing Books in a Stylish Multifunctional Bookcase
In this bright living room, all eyes are drawn to the deep mint-colored closet, set almost to the ceiling. The lower part is closed storage systems like chests of drawers and a workplace, the upper one is reserved for books. Here, the colors of the covers were not taken into account on all the shelves, but it does not look colorful - on the contrary, it is textured, I want to see everything. To make open book storage not too monotonous, the center section was filled with unusual vases of fresh flowers.
Instagram @astoldbymichelle
Instagram @astoldbymichelle
Instagram @astoldbymichelle
Instagram @astoldbymichelle
3 Living-dining room with books full-length
In the interior of these photos, the wardrobe is already really in the ceiling. Moreover, it occupies the entire wall. But it is this large-scale solution that makes it stylish, as does the lower small module with closed sections (hinting an elongated TV stand). We can say that this is a modern reading of the "wall", once popular. The open shelves with books are narrow and compact - they look rhythmic, and the herringbone parquet board supports the dynamics. Although the library has become the main element in the interior, a massive dining table made of natural wood also attracts attention. And in order not to overload the room, the chairs were chosen transparent.
Instagram @pieknostylu
Instagram @pieknostylu
Instagram @pieknostylu
Instagram @pieknostylu
4 Unusual attic with books everywhere
This attic room is perhaps one of the most unusual examples of book storage in the house.
In fact, this is a small office, but the hostess loves books and spends a lot of time reading them here. Either way, the perfect place for a home library! It has several chaotic storage spaces: a tall bookcase with glass doors, a low glazed chest of drawers in a different shade, a narrow open shelving unit, an alcove under a roof ledge, and, let's be honest, just tall stacks of books in the corners. The combination of different types of storage, a small area and a reading chair make the room a cozy and stylish corner.
photo
Instagram @wordchild
Instagram @wordchild
Instagram @wordchild
Instagram @wordchild
Instagram @wordchild
Instagram @wordchild
5 Home library in spacious living room
. Directly behind the sofa is a shelving unit built into a niche, such storage is rare. On both sides of the recreation area there are three white racks of different heights.
The play of rectangular shapes is supported by a square screed of sofa cushions. With such an abundance of books, the room does not look colorful and overloaded, as the palette is well-built. The bleached oak bookcase echoes the sofa legs and floor, the white shelves echo the coffee table, and the deep blue sofa echoes the sky blue walls. In such a frame, books seem to be an integral part of the room, and not items that just need to be stored somewhere.
Instagram @uwaga.czytam
Instagram @uwaga.czytam
Instagram @uwaga.czytam
Instagram @uwaga.czytam
6 Country living room with huge bookshelves
the entire wall, the rack becomes an interesting volumetric background, without reducing the living room with its dimensions. It was made, by the way, in country style and completely light colors - such a stylist goes well with book aesthetics. Beauty and comfort! A special highlight of the interior is given by additional places for storing books: several small shelves and a mobile cart.
