How do I choose a bookcase

The ideal shelf height for books is about 10 inches, and the ideal height for magazines is about 11-12 inches. The top shelf of a bookcase should be no more than 72-78 inches high. This will ensure that any average-sized person will be able to reach items on the top shelf.

How tall should bookshelves be in living room?

The ideal shelf height for books is about 10 inches, and the ideal height for magazines is about 11-12 inches. The top shelf of a bookcase should be no more than 72-78 inches high. This will ensure that any average-sized person will be able to reach items on the top shelf.

Whats the difference between a bookshelf and a bookcase?

Most bookcases are large free standing furniture pieces and feature multiple shelves. As such, furniture websites may describe a bookcase as a shelving unit. … On the other hand, bookshelves typically refer to a single, wall-mounted shelf, a small grouped set of wall-mounted shelves or a ladder-style piece.

How big should my bookcase be?

Storage ItemSpacingDepthLarge Hardcover Books15″12″

Are bookcases out of style?

Bookcases, especially if made of high-quality wood and boasting a modern design, are not outdated. However, modern trends and shopping patterns of the new generations indicate whether it still makes sense to have a bookcase in our houses.

How much should I spend on bookshelves?

Cost to Add Built-In BookshelvesNational average cost$3,000Average range$1,500-$4,000Minimum cost$800Maximum cost​$5,000

Can you put a couch in front of a bookcase?

Even a sectional sofa or a small chair, a bed or a bench, placed directly in front of a bookcase or shelving system can add action to room design, creating a wonderful and cozy nook feel and pleasant home library-like atmosphere.

What is the standard height between shelves?

Average Shelf Spacing A good average spacing for shelves is between 8 and 12 inches. If you have oversize books to store, you might prefer to increase the spacing to 15 inches.

What is a good distance between shelves?

The rule of thumb for spacing is 12 inches between each shelf but bump that up to 15 or 18 inches and you enhance that sense of exposure and accessibility. Length is where you’ll see the most variation.

What is the best height for shelves?

How High Should I Hang My Shelf or Shelves? Like artwork, shelves should be hung at about eye level or about 4 to 5 feet from the floor. If you’re hanging the shelf above furniture, measure about 10 inches from the top of the desk or couch.

Article first time published on

What is the difference between a bookcase and an etagere?

A bookcase is designed to conveniently store heavy items and keep what’s stored away hidden and out of the way. An etagere is an open design, perfect for displaying and storing what you want easy access to and or displayed.

Is a bookcase considered furniture?

A bookcase, or bookshelf, is a piece of furniture with horizontal shelves, often in a cabinet, used to store books or other printed materials. Bookcases are used in private homes, public and university libraries, offices and bookstores.

Is a shelf furniture?

A shelf can be attached to a wall or other vertical surface, be suspended from a ceiling, be a part of a free-standing frame unit, or it can be part of a piece of furniture such as a cabinet, bookcase, entertainment center, some headboards, and so on. … A shelf or case designed to hold books is a bookshelf.

What should I put on my living room shelf?

1. Plants, plants and more plants. Plants are super on trend at the moment. …
2. Texture. Look for fun woven baskets, wooden prayers beads and little boxes to add texture to your shelves.
3. Candle holders. …
4. Books. …
5. Vases. …
6. Pictures, art prints and photos.
7. Candles.
8. Risers.

How much space should be in front of a bookshelf?

Most open or floating shelves in the living room, kitchen, or bedroom have a distance of 8 to 12 inches between each. However, a gap of 7 to 15 inches between shelves is permissible. For bookcases, shelves are usually 8 to 12 inches from one another.

How do you layer a living room?

1. Choose your main color, over which to build layers. …
2. Recognize the importance of flooring in layering. …
3. Layer pattern over your main color. …
4. Use artwork on walls to add layering. …
5. Layer flooring with rugs. …
6. Layer windows with dressings.

Do I need a bookshelf?

Having a bookshelf is important because it saves a lot of space in the house. If books are kept here and there they take much of space in the room. You can buy a suitable bookshelf according to the availability of space in your house. This would save the space as the books and files will no longer be scattered.

How do you make a cheap bookshelf?

1. Use simple box to store knowledge.
2. One strap of leather and a plank can shine.
3. Sculpt a bookshelves with drawers.
4. Reshape a plane bookshelves with wooden textures.
5. Scale wooden boxes into a timeless piece.
6. Plant crown molding on simple bookshelves.
7. Pick the right pattern to emphasize your library.

How much are built in fireplaces?

The fireplace built-ins cost depends on the contractor you’re working with to perform the work, as well as where you live. The size of the wall where you’re building the feature also influences the cost of the fireplace built-ins. The average cost ranges from $2,500 to $6,800, according to happystartsathome.com.

How thick should Wood be for shelves?

Use 3/4-inch thick materials for shelves and bookcase structure. If you’re using hardwood solids, it’s OK to boost the thickness to 1 1/4 inch for almost unlimited support. This type of shelf looks more like a mantel and is expensive, but adds the opulent look of craftsmanship.

Is plywood good for shelves?

Plywood is the industry standard for shelving, so it’s a good choice for bookshelves. However, there are a number of sturdy woods with which you can construct bookshelves.

How tall should Built in bookshelves be?

However, if you’re going to fill the shelves with books, movies, and board games in a basement playroom, you’ll want shelves that are easily accessible. In that case, bookshelves that are 72 to 80 inches tall will make them most functional.

How deep should a built in bookcase be?

How Deep Should Built in Shelves Be? Take stock of what you’ll be storing on them: trim travel guides or oversize art books, bulky board games or lidded baskets, collectibles large or small. Most shelves are built a minimum of 11 to 12 inches deep, but this is your chance to customize: Go for it!

How high should a shelf be above a couch?

If you want to hang a shelf, artwork or a picture ledge on a wall, place it about 4 to 5 feet from the floor or at eye level. When you are hanging it above a sofa, though, measure and mark a spot that is around 10 inches from the top instead.

How far apart should shelves be in a pantry?

Start with bottom shelves 16 to 18 inches deep and spaced about 18 to 24 inches apart, for bulky items; make shelves at eye level 12 to 14 inches deep and spaced 14 to 16 inches apart to fit cereal boxes and canisters. Shelves for spices and cans may need no more than 6 inches front to back.

How thick should floating shelves be?

As mentioned in our answer, the ideal thickness for a floating wooden shelf would be 2 inches. Anything less, and there’s a higher possibility that your shelf may snap when loaded with objects. Note also that it’s assumed that the wood you are using is made out of hardwood.

Where should shelves be placed in the house?

1. Above the Door. …
2. Above the Door (Reprise) …
3. Above the Couch. …
4. Above the Radiator. …
5. Along the Top of a Hallway. …
6. Above the Television. …
7. Above a Desk. …
8. Above the Bed.

What is étagère bookshelf?

An étagère (French: [etaʒɛʁ]) or shelf is a French set of hanging or standing open shelves for the display of collections of objects or ornaments. … Similar to the what-not, the shelves of the étagère provided extra space for the display of the accumulation of knickknacks that was typical of Victorian home decor.

What does étagère mean?

Definition of étagère : a piece of furniture consisting of a set of open shelves for displaying small objects and sometimes having an enclosed cabinet as a base.

Why is it called barrister bookcase?

The barrister bookcase gets its name from English lawyers (barristers) from the 1800s. Lawyers used these books because the closed doors would keep their books in place if the cabinets were moved. Barrister Bookcases are a great way to keep your books protected from sunlight, dust and moisture in the air.

What is a revolving bookcase called?

The antique revolving bookcase, also known as a Rotating Bookcase is a really useful piece of antique furniture. … Antique revolving bookcases are ingenious designs that first came around in the late 19th Century Victorian period and continued into the Edwardian era in solid timbers from Mahogany and Oak.