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Don't clutter up your bookshelf with book and random stuff — it can be a real eyesore! Here's how to turn it into a living room centerpiece.
Storage space, especially for books and decor, is an essential part of the home — and it's something that every homeowner requests for during renovations.
But what if they could be more than just functional or basic? Here are some bookshelf design ideas that up the style stakes of the home interior, to inspire you.
Dwell Interior Design created special showcases for the homeowners' book collection in this 3-room condominium apartment.
Interior designer wanted to create a warm and cosy library-like den for the living area.
Cookbooks usually have attractive, enticing covers, and this is put to good use by having a shelf in the open-concept kitchen that puts the covers on display.
A cosy and well-lit reading corner is created right opposite the bookshelf by tucking a cream upholstered armchair and ottoman to the side of the living room and positioned under downlights.
An unconventional silhouette, designed by New Nyew.
The items displayed on these shelves look like they're part of an art installation, thanks to the wide frame around them. Backlighting enhances the effect.
Novelist Hanya Yanagihara's bedroom bookshelf. Photo by Brooke Holm
Keep your home space-efficient by customising a sofa with a bookshelf built into the back of it.
Exposed shelving lines the outside of the sofa frame.
Instead of installing a railing, a bookshelf was built on one side of this staircase.
Taking advantage of the high ceilings, the designers created a mezzanine floor so as to access the books on the very top.
This bookshelf was built over the door of the bomb shelter to conceal it. Design by Sirius Art
It also cleverly incorporated the apartment's sloped roofline into the design. Home to a family of four, it was designed by h2o architectes.
Bookshelves as part of the sofa -- a brilliant, space-saving idea!
Design: Wrightson Stewart
To set a warm tone throughout the space, wood was the main material used for built-ins, such as this bookshelf.
Design: EJ Werkshop Interiors
No need for a feature wall when your bookshelf is in a creative, geometric arrangement.
Design: Ottimo Spazi
A wall divides the dining area and bedroom, but it is concealed behind this large bookcase -- which is a much prettier!
Design: Ganna Studio
When designing your customised bookshelf, include ambient lighting for a cosy living room.
Design: Architology
Gold handles give this bookshelf an Art Deco look. This bookcase also conceals the store room entrance.
Design: Museum Homes
The homeowner is a teacher with many books and files, and her kids loves to read, too! A large bookshelf is an absolute necessity.
Design: Free Space Intent
Mix things up for your bookshelf design. Put some books standing straight up and others stacked lying down to keep it interesting. Photo: Pixabay
Arranging your books by colour is an easy way to get that bookshelf looking great. For visual thinkers, organising your books by colour might be the easiest way to find what you're looking for, too. Photo: Pixabay
Add decorative objects like mementos and other curios that will give personality to your bookcase. A uniquely designed bookend is extra practical, too! Photo: Pixabay.
Include organic elements thoughtfully like a bowl of rocks or a tank of seashells. These little details give your shelves a dash of vibrancy.
Photo: Pixabay
Using the shelves to demarcate living room and kitchen from the staircase for a 2-stoye, 3-bedrooom condominium. By Studio Wills.
A simple and neat way to display your books and trinkets for a 3-room HDB flat, Design by Space Matters.
The study has a customised wooden shelf to house the homeowners’ book collection and other knick-knacks.
The look of the open shelving is unhindered by staircases or ladders – instead, a glass walkway provides access to the higher shelves.
Custom-built floor-to-ceiling shelves and a stepladder create a classic library look for the study.
A spray-painted roller ladder allows access to the upper compartments of the built-in floor-to-ceiling shelves.
Shelves similar to those in the living room comprise the
headboard of the customised bed in the master bedroom.
Use a sliding wooden panel to create a storage-display dining unit which will match your other furniture. Interior design by Story of Us.
The display shelves are filled with cookbooks and travel souvenirs to bring a decorative touch to the living and dining space. The Link coffee table is by Miniforms, from Xtra. Vase from Galanga Living.
Concealed lighting strips illuminate the bookshelves from the inside, highlighting the cutouts of the cable trays. (Reno: $128K)
Huge ‘Lego Blocks’ were fixed to wooden bookshelves with 3M tape so the owners could “redesign” the shelves as they prefer.
To improve air flow, the designer replaced the wall between the living room and kitchen with these open shelves.
Green shelves spruce up the home office. (Reno: $300K)
We accommodated a study in the living hall with a series of shelves built around the table to make full use of the height of the wall.
A specially created wall-to-wall ledge creates the illusion of floating shelves.
Alan left the front edges of the plywood shelves bare for textural contrast. The sliding bookshelf maximises the bay window by turning it into much-needed storage space.
A reproduction Eames rocker adds a shot of pale blue to the wood-and-white study. The homeowner custom-built her industrial-style desk and shelves.
The original cream marble flooring complements the muted palette and wood furnishings.
The designers utilised the high ceiling by crafting a hanging library. Wire mesh flooring prevents it from feeling claustrophobic.