9 Built-In Bookshelf Ideas for Customizable Storage and Display

We may earn revenue from the product available on this page and enter in affiliate programs . Learn More ›

A built - in bookshelf can transform both the functionality and aesthetics of a elbow room . Beyond offering a situation to carry your books and keep them from piling up in a corner or on a tabular array , built - in bookshelves can bring charm and style to your infinite . They also allow for creativeness , allowing you togive purposeto corners , the walls surrounding a window or hearth , stairwells , and other domain of the habitation that are often reckon as liquidate , unusable space . The trick is deciding on the good design and layout for your blank . Use the built - in bookshelf ideas below to help you find some inspiration for this next home improvement projection .

1. Hidden Door Bookshelf

While door are often overlooked when it come to warehousing and governing body , creative built - inbookcase ideasdon’t let these space go to waste . alternatively , they metamorphose a basic door into an attractive entrepot solution . With a Murphy door bookshelf , your doorway can draw in double - duty . They ’ll not only provide access between room in the home plate , but they ’ll also offer a convenient and attractive solution for organizing books and displaying treasured detail .

2. Relaxation Nook

Whether you ’re looking for aDIY bookcaseidea or would rather engage a pro to construct one , regard making better habit of the distance around a bedroom , office , or family elbow room windowpane . Adding built - in bookcases on either side of the window , with a cozy bench join them , will forthwith make a relaxation behavior nook . Add all of your favorite books to the ledge , toss a cover and some throw pillow on the bench , and you ’ll be all set up to cuddle up and enjoy a wonderful story .

3. Wall-to-Wall Storage

Why not make your fresh bookshelf the focal dot of your space ? With bulwark - to - rampart built - in leger cabinets , you could do just that . Upper glass doors allow you to showcase memorabilia and other more attractive items , while self-colored scummy cabinets put up obscure computer storage for items that are n’t as visually appealing .

4. L-Shaped Corner Library

The corners of our rooms are among the most underutilized spaces in a home . liter - shaped built - in bookshelf can help reverse this tendency , converting a recess into one of the most organized and functional space in a room . With an L - form quoin subroutine library , you’re able to expose artifact and mementos , while still having ample elbow room to stack away books , file boxwood , bin , and more .

5. Floating Shelves

Floating shelves are a build - in shelving selection that can let for greater flexibility . you may customise the design and layout based on the other element in your space — localise the ledge underneath a television , above a couch , or behind the desk in the office . Installing float shelvesis also relatively simple if you ’re up for a speedy DIY project . You ’ll just need a scantling finder , a level , a practice session , and a few anchors and jailor to secure everything in position and support the weight of the books and other items you care to keep on the shelves .

6. Modular Library

If you ’re looking for some bookshelf plans you may make in a weekend , consider a modular program library made from floating shelf . For this DIY ramp up - in bookshelf , conceive the available bulwark space , and then make modular boxes that you could flow to create a innovation that is as functional as it is attractive . Place a commixture of books and interior decoration items for an aesthetically pleasing finished product .

7. Branched-Out Storage

This tree - form build - in bookshelf invention might be the ideal fit for your space if your goal is to make the shelf an entire component of your way ’s decor . The branch of the “ Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ” use as the shelves to hold books . Some of these shelves are slanted , mimicking the twists and bout of actual tree branch and adding to the overall solicitation of the purpose .

8. Wall of Books

Those looking toembrace Cluttercore designand showcase precious items can conceive put in a wall - to - bulwark built - in bookcase withopen shelf . section these shelves into freestanding compartments will serve you organize books , memorabilia , and other token , making it possible to draw attention to your favorite treasure .

9. Fireplace Surround

verbatim attention to your fireplace by building some bookshelf on either side of it . The fireplace will resist out as the star of the room , while the built - in bookcases will bring home the bacon additional storage and allow you to spotlight other key decorative element that make the space unique to you .

FAQ About Built-In Bookshelves

Thecost of built - in bookshelvescan vary based on the size of the whole , the type of stuff you select , and the dash of the shelf and/or cabinets that you take . On average , the cost of a built - in bookshelf is around $ 3,000 . You could lower the price significantly by check how to work up a bookshelf yourself and cutting the cost of Labour Party out of the equation .

When building a bookshelf , you may paint it the same color of the wall it is built into . Doing so can facilitate make the shelf feel like it is a true part of the room and may make the outer space feel bigger . It can also help make the decor elements you site on the ledge a focal point of the space . However , you do n’t have to make a bookshelf match the color of the wall it is built into . house painting in a darker — or wakeful — color that the wall will furnish some contrast , drawing more attention to the intent of the shelf itself .

When work up progress - in bookshelf , recessed orwall alcoveshelves are often considered a comparatively simple project . For these DIY bookshelves , you ’ll need to cut out a plane section of the wall between two stud , build a box to fit in the trust space , and mount it in place .

A built-in bookshelf displaying and storing books and decor in a dining room.

Photo: Andreas von Einsiedel/Corbis Documentary via Getty Images

This Is the Year for a Kitchen Renovation

Whether you ’re sell or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . hear why we consider this renovation the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to stick on budget .

A hidden door built-in bookshelf idea.