Ingenious Bookshelf Designs in Surprising Spots
From corridors to landings, we help you carve out space for your treasured books
Dedicating an entire room to creating that perfect reading spot, packed to the rafters with books and comfy lounge chairs to sink into, is not always possible. Sometimes space constraints, especially in cosy apartments, don’t allow you that ideal corner – but don’t give up on displaying your prized collection of books just yet. There are a few creative ways to make use of awkward nooks and blank walls to set up your home library.
Staircase ingenuity
Put your staircase to good use by turning the walls into your very own home library. Seen in this Pune space designed by Studio Course, the entire wall backing a straight staircase has been fitted with a custom-made shelving unit. The treads have been designed to align with the shelves, while the stainless steel wires used to suspend them blend into the unit.
Read more about this Pune home
Put your staircase to good use by turning the walls into your very own home library. Seen in this Pune space designed by Studio Course, the entire wall backing a straight staircase has been fitted with a custom-made shelving unit. The treads have been designed to align with the shelves, while the stainless steel wires used to suspend them blend into the unit.
Read more about this Pune home
When using the space under a straight staircase, keep in mind that the depth of the area available to you is equal to the width of the steps. This can prove to be quite deep for a simple bookcase. Seen in this picture is a great under-stair storage solution by Matthew McCrossan where the shelves for your home library form the ‘doors’ of a hidden pull-out storage system.
Explore other creative storage solutions
Explore other creative storage solutions
Landing is perfect
Landings, just like corridors, can end up being often overlooked. They offer an empty wall, perfect for displaying your prized collection of books. Seen in this landing designed by Exedra Architects are floor-to-ceiling shelves that start from the ground floor and continue to the ceiling of the landing. Here, part of the landing (next to the shelves) is made of glass flooring, allowing one to look down and fully appreciate the design. Incorporating open risers allows for someone to be able to see the entire library as they climb up, as well.
See how to put your landings to good use
Landings, just like corridors, can end up being often overlooked. They offer an empty wall, perfect for displaying your prized collection of books. Seen in this landing designed by Exedra Architects are floor-to-ceiling shelves that start from the ground floor and continue to the ceiling of the landing. Here, part of the landing (next to the shelves) is made of glass flooring, allowing one to look down and fully appreciate the design. Incorporating open risers allows for someone to be able to see the entire library as they climb up, as well.
See how to put your landings to good use
Floor-to-ceiling shelves
One of the easiest ways to create a home library is to use the longest wall in your living area. However, don’t just take advantage of the length of the wall, use its height as well. Floor-to-ceiling shelves add oodles of storage as well a place for your books. This custom-made, built-in bookcase by Mumbai-based design studio LAB (Language Architecture Body), also incorporates an entertainment unit with a section where a flat-screen can be wall-mounted. The shelves have been created to look like an extension of the ceiling beams, giving continuity to the design.
One of the easiest ways to create a home library is to use the longest wall in your living area. However, don’t just take advantage of the length of the wall, use its height as well. Floor-to-ceiling shelves add oodles of storage as well a place for your books. This custom-made, built-in bookcase by Mumbai-based design studio LAB (Language Architecture Body), also incorporates an entertainment unit with a section where a flat-screen can be wall-mounted. The shelves have been created to look like an extension of the ceiling beams, giving continuity to the design.
In another space designed by LAB (Language Architecture Body), the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves also double as a sliding door, creating an entry to the adjoining room. Keep in mind that for a design feature that carries this much weight, you will need sturdy construction with extremely smooth wheels or heavy-duty channels.
For a hint of that classic library vibe, add a ladder to your floor-to-ceiling shelves. It makes reaching those top shelves a lot easier. Pictured in this New York townhouse designed by Ascher Davis Architects, the look has been modernised by using minimal, contemporary furniture and painting the ladder to match the upholstery.
Sectioning areas
A bookshelf is a great way to divide large spaces. You can also create the illusion of a foyer by sectioning the living area from the entryway with an open bookcase that houses your library. Seen in this Delhi home designed by Avante iinc, the open bookcase runs as an extension of the wall, with living room furniture placed in front of it.
A bookshelf is a great way to divide large spaces. You can also create the illusion of a foyer by sectioning the living area from the entryway with an open bookcase that houses your library. Seen in this Delhi home designed by Avante iinc, the open bookcase runs as an extension of the wall, with living room furniture placed in front of it.
Pictured in this home designed by Shibanee & Kamal Architects, the enclosed bookcase doubles as a wall, dividing the living area from the kitchen. A great feature is the central reading nook that looks into the kitchen, allowing for the flow of light from one room to the next.
Alcove love
Sometimes apartments come with awkwardly shaped or shallow alcoves that are difficult to use. These are great spots for bracketed, modular or built-in shelves that can be used entirely as a library. This made-to-measure shelving system designed by Urban Grain uses reclaimed scaffolding boards as shelves and steel pipes as the framework for a wonderfully vintage industrial look. Painting the wall backing the shelves in a contrasting colour makes it stand out.
Sometimes apartments come with awkwardly shaped or shallow alcoves that are difficult to use. These are great spots for bracketed, modular or built-in shelves that can be used entirely as a library. This made-to-measure shelving system designed by Urban Grain uses reclaimed scaffolding boards as shelves and steel pipes as the framework for a wonderfully vintage industrial look. Painting the wall backing the shelves in a contrasting colour makes it stand out.
Frame game
You don’t need to find a completely empty wall for your bookshelves. Framing a door with customised, built-in shelves, like Studio Bergtraun Architects did in this San Francisco home, is an ingenious way to create your home library. It will cut a few inches from the room, though.
You don’t need to find a completely empty wall for your bookshelves. Framing a door with customised, built-in shelves, like Studio Bergtraun Architects did in this San Francisco home, is an ingenious way to create your home library. It will cut a few inches from the room, though.
A great way to insert a library into your bedroom is to frame the headboard with shelves as seen in this bedroom designed by Melaragno Design Company. Alternatively, you can go in for an entire wall piece where the headboard is part of the shelving unit.
Read more:
24 Booker Prize-Worthy Reading Spots
A Book Lovers’ Home Captures the Spirit of Old Bangalore
10 of the Best Designed Reading Zones for Kids
Tell us:
Which spaces were your favourite? Share in Comments below.
Read more:
24 Booker Prize-Worthy Reading Spots
A Book Lovers’ Home Captures the Spirit of Old Bangalore
10 of the Best Designed Reading Zones for Kids
Tell us:
Which spaces were your favourite? Share in Comments below.
Sponsored
Sometimes the most under-utilised space in a home is the corridor. It offers you enough length to house quite a substantial collection of books. Seen in this space designed by Shed Architecture & Design, simple wall-mounted shelves in crisp white are fitted with minimal brackets. You can also opt for floating shelves, which gives you the added benefit of fitting recessed lighting within the shelves while hiding the wiring.