Ever dreamed of having a bookshelf in your apartment, but you’re not sure where to put it? That’s been a never-ending dilemma for me because I love having physical books and little knick knacks displayed for all to see, but I never thought I had enough space to create a little library until now.
Prepare and Plan
First, before you splurge on your favorite bookcase, make sure you have your basic must-have pieces already situated in your desired spots like your couch, chair, coffee table/dining table, and other accessories that you won’t be moving for awhile. This will give you a better idea to see all the possible spaces of where to put your bookcase before you start hammering nails into the wall.
With a little bit of imagination and creativity, I realized that I don’t necessarily need to get a traditional bookcase — you know, the ones that are super heavy to carry and tedious to put together. I found out that there are other alternatives that can be much more space-friendly especially if you live in a tiny little studio apartment like mine.
Here are some of the ideas I saved and wanted to share them with you, in case you were struggling with the same decorating issue:
Floating Bookshelves – Similar to the slab-style, floating bookshelves is a convenient way to store your favorite reads in apartments with little square footage. The key here is that no bottom floor area is used. This bookcase looks great especially if you’re going for a minimal design. They are also very sturdy because it’s anchored to the wall securely. It’s just like hanging a picture, but with single-plank wood shelves with metal brackets. Think outside the box and set aside a small part of the wall and transform it into your reading sanctuary. Also, if you put a chair beside your shelves, your little area will look very welcoming.
Long Slab-style Shelving On Top of the Sofa – Install an expansive bookcase to put your photos and books above your couch when the sofa is against the wall. Put three or four rows above it until it reaches the top of the sofa, but give enough space for headroom. If you don’t have much floor space but you really want a floor-to-ceiling look for all of your books and objects, go this route. Long wall shelves that stretch horizontally lets you create this type of setup on a tight budget.
Corner Bookshelf – Don’t forget the corners of your wall. They are wonderful storage places that are rarely used. Sneak in a spine-style bookcase in these spots so it can tuck away nice and snug without it being a major distraction. Find a tall, skinny, wall-mounting shelving unit to accommodate this space.
Put Your Radiator to Use – You might feel like the area on top of a radiator is dead space, but believe it or not, you can definitely put something like this to use if you get creative. Convert yours by putting a floating shelf or two above or next to it. You’d be surprised that no space is wasted. Just place a chair beside it and you get a legit little library with extra shelf space for your favorite things to be displayed. Make sure to use materials that are fire-resistant like metal shelving so you’re not burning down the house when you turn on the heat.
Horizontal Floating Shelves – Want a more intricate design instead of just a straight board going one way? Look for enclosed bookshelves that have a formal structure. Square shaped boxes can be an effective way to secure objects in place in case of an earthquake. You get better resistance because you have bottom and side support.
Doorway Shelving – If a ton of wall space is already taken by existing trinkets and furniture, then look outside of the box and set up your bookcase near a doorway or window. This unique setup makes an interesting, asymmetrical look. It’s not very common to have an arrangement like this, but it works really well. Take advantage of your wall space.
Stacking Shelving Above Sideboards – Let’s say you already have a sideboard or credenza in your space. Why not stack some floating shelves above for your book collection? You’ll have storage space on the bottom and ample space for your books above. You can also fill it with your best decor pieces to make a trendier statement.
The Divider Bookcase – These are common to use in studios or in an open layout where it can act like a room divider as well. Though it takes a bit of space on the floor, it has a multifunctional purpose and separates areas noticeably. You can also use this to block out light and provide some shade during warm months.
S-Shaped Bookshelf – Similar to the bookshelf divider, this one can also separate a room except some of the rows don’t have an end closure. It is also half the size if you’re working with minimal square footage. You can put this against a wall in the living room to make it the center of attention when guests arrive.
Showcase Your Bookcase
There are so many ways to create your own reading nook. It doesn’t even have to be made out of wood either! Check out wire shelving to keep your items secure and long lasting. Even with this technology driven world that we live in, physical books are here to stay and can be a wonderful way to add to your home decor. By installing these unique shelving options to enhance your room, soon enough you will have your own book club in no time.
So which one is your favorite bookshelf setup? How did yours turn out? Why not place a custom portrait on it as well?
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