From must-read books to holiday souvenirs, miniature plants and framed photos, bookcases are the perfect place for displaying all of your home decor in an organised but personal way. If you’re stuck on what bookcase to add to your home (without settling for the obvious), then keep reading to view some of the best bookcase alternatives Wayfair has to offer.

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Things to Consider
Best Bookcase Types
Vertical vs. Horizontal Bookcases
Best Bookcase Materials
Additional Bookcase Features

Things to Consider

Before choosing the perfect bookcase, it’s important to consider a few things. Think about how much space you have available for your bookcase, what you want to display, and the style of your home. This will help you choose the right type, orientation, material, and features with ease. This guide will help you choose the best bookcase for your room.

Best Bookcase Types

Standard

Standard bookcases by far the most popular and most basic when it comes to design. This freestanding piece of furniture comes with horizontal shelving, supportive walls and a back wall. Standard bookcases are designed to sit horizontally or vertically and are commonly made out of wood. They're also designed to sit flush against a wall either in your living room, bedroom, home office, anywhere you prefer.

Etagere

An etagere bookcase comes with an open back design, which is perfect for displaying your home decor as the openness makes your room feel more spacious. If you place a etagere bookcase up against a wall, it allows for the wall colour to show through.

Geometric

If you're looking for a more unique bookcase, then why not opt for a geometric design? The frames and shelves of a geometric bookcase come together to create striking silhouettes, ultimately creating a lean, modern design. They're available in a variety of sizes but work well as focal points in larger rooms.

Ladder

Ladder bookcases are known for their space-saving design and their ability to add a casual style to any room. Their shelves are wider on the bottom and get narrower toward the top. A ladder bookcase creates a unique focal point in the room while adding vertical organisational space.

Barrister

A barrister bookcase is a more formal bookcase and is designed to look more like a cabinet. These bookcases come with glass or solid doors to allow your books to stay safe from dust. Barrister bookcases were originally designed to assist lawyers with their law book collections, allowing them to keep their books stored together while the doors kept the books in place when they needed to move their collection.

Library

A library bookcase is perfect if you're a bookworm looking to display your full book collection. Library bookcases are larger in size (both horizontally and vertically) and look best in wide or tall rooms. Most library bookcases have a solid back wall, but some designs offer an open back.

Room Divider

Room divider bookcases are great for sectioning off specific areas in your home. Room dividers have open backs, meaning you can see through the compartments of the bookcase. The openness makes for a great way to divide rooms because it doesn’t overpower the space, letting you see through to the other side. Place a room divider bookcase in the middle of the room to divide the area or place it up against the wall to use it like a traditional bookcase.

Cube

A cube bookcase is one of the most versatile bookcases. These models are designed to have multiple cubbies that are cube-shaped within the bookcase that can be used to store shoes, books and more. Cube bookcases are either square or rectangular. You can opt to use baskets to fill the cubby, leave the cubbies open or do a mix of both. Bins and baskets help keep your items organised, out of the way and out of sight.

Corner

Corner bookcases are designed to sit perfectly in a corner of a room. They come with two sides that meet at a point and angle outward in a triangular shape that is best suited for corners. The shelves are smaller than standard bookcases but are designed to fit the corner, helping to maximise storage. Corner bookcases are perfect for small rooms and for using what is often an overlooked space.

Floating

A floating bookcase can help save on floor space by elevating the bookcase off of the ground and attaching to the wall. Floating bookcases are designed with an open back, and some have bars on the side to give the appearance that the shelves are floating. Floating bookcases typically come with a mounting kit for help installing them to the wall, letting you create a fun focal point on the wall while storing your favorite items.

Boat

Boat bookcases are a fun way to display your collection while tying in a nautical feel. The bookcase is designed to look like a wooden rowboat that is sitting upright. The wooden design helps add a touch of rustic feel to the space while the shape of the bookcase is perfect for lake houses or coastal-inspired homes.

Vertical vs. Horizontal Bookcases

Vertical

Vertical bookcases are ideal for smaller rooms, as they allow you to maximise the amount of storage by increasing the amount of shelves, all without taking up too much floor space.

Horizontal

If you have a larger room, horizontal bookcases are a great option. They're often shorter but longer, allowing you to decorate the top of the bookcase or hang wall art above. While they don’t have many shelves, the shelves are long and allow you to store many items.

Best Bookcase Materials

There are a variety of material options to choose from for the shelves and frame of your bookcase.

Shelf Material

Wood

Wooden shelves are sturdy and durable, allowing you to place more items on the shelf. Wooden shelves are the most popular option when it comes to bookcases and are available in a variety of stain colors, allowing you to easily choose a bookcase that fits with the style of your space.

Metal

Metal shelves are less likely to dent and are easy to maintain. The shelves are sturdy, letting you store your favorite items without worry.

Glass

Glass shelves create a barely there feel, making the room appear larger. Glass shelves are durable but can shatter if not secured properly.

Plastic

Plastic shelves are great for storing lighter items and are easy to clean. While they may not store heavy items, the plastic shelf will last you for years to come and is rust-free.

Mirrored

If you're looking to make a statement with your bookcase shelves, opt for mirrored shelves. Light bounces off of the shelves, maximizing the room’s lighting and reflecting your decor around the room.

Frame Material

Wood

Bookcases with wooden frames are the most popular and come in a variety of wood tones. They are strong, durable and bound to last you for years to come. They tend to be on the heavier side and may require more than one person to move.

Metal

Metal is sturdy, durable, and on the heavier side, making it a bit harder to move easily. It has a powder or painting coating on top of the metal to ensure that it is protected from scratches or rust. For an industrial look, opt for a bookcase with a dark metal frame.

Plastic

A plastic frame for a bookcase is a great option if you have little ones learning to walk and run. It is available in a variety of colours and is less expensive, letting you easily match your style and decor (even if it changes!).

Glass

For a modern look, opt for a bookcase with a glass frame. It allows you to see through the bookcase, letting you find items quickly.

Additional Bookcase Features

Adjustable Shelves

Adjustable shelves allow you to set the height of each shelf, letting you customise each to comfortably fit all of your books and decor.

Assembled

Spend more time reading and less time putting your bookcase together by opting for an assembled bookcase. You won’t have to worry about what piece goes where because it will arrive fully assembled for you.

With Doors

Some bookcases come with doors to help protect the items in your bookcase from dust, debris or little hands reaching in. Opt for a bookcase with doors to keep important items out of sight and looking like new.

With Drawers

If you're looking to store small items that may not sit well on a shelf, opt for a bookcase with drawers. It lets you put those small items away without worrying if they will get lost.

Wall-Mounted

Wall-mounted bookshelves are mounted to the wall with an attachment kit that is included with your bookcase. Keep in mind that wall-mounted bookcases aren’t easy to move around the room.

Stackable

If you're looking for a way to make a shorter bookcase taller, opt for a stackable bookcase. It lets you customise the look of your bookcase or add more storage space when you need it. The stackable bookcases will attach together to create one sturdy bookcase – no one will even know it’s two separate pieces.

Distressed Finish

If you prefer the rustic look of distressed wood, opt for a bookcase with a distressed finish. It adds a touch of country cottage and rustic style to your space while allowing you to store your items in a stylish way.

Folding

Bookcases don’t have to be a permanent staple in your room. Whether you're looking to easily move them or store them away, opt for a folding bookcase. Once you remove your items from the bookcase, you can fold it up, making it a great option if you need temporary storage or find yourself moving often.

Tip: Searching for more ideas and inspiration? Then take a look at:

• How to Style & Display Books to Suit Your Home Aesthetic
• Grab a Book and Cosy Up in These 6 Reading Nook Ideas
• Master the Art of The Gallery Wall