Just because a cubby bookcase was built to stand up straight doesn’t mean it can’t be placed on its side. This is an excellent way to shake up your room’s design. (BestReviews)
A good bookcase is among the most versatile storage and display options to have in your home. They aren’t just basic and visually plain shelving; many of them use designs worthy of being displayed even without contents. Whether you’re a voracious reader or a burgeoning interior decorator, there's a perfect bookcase out there for you.
The best bookcase is the Origami Six-Shelf Bookcase. It comes pre-assembled, is sturdy enough to hold hundreds of pounds and the top shelf can be removed to display tall items.
Bookcases come in a wide range of sizes and capacities, from the short and narrow to the tall and wide. It's always best to buy a bookcase that matches your storage needs instead of one that has more storage since empty shelves look odd to the eye.
You also need to consider the depth of the bookcase and ensure it can fit what you plan to put in it. The average bookcase is roughly 6 inches to 1 foot deep.
Books are heavy. Add several together and you can quickly eclipse 50 pounds. Some bookcases don’t have shelves with the strength to hold this much weight; in fact, some can only hold as little as 15 pounds. Always double-check the weight limit when shopping.
Bookcases are typically made of particle board, wood or metal.
Books come in all shapes and sizes, not to mention other items commonly kept on bookcases such as pictures and statuettes. Some are so large that they’re the only thing that can’t fit on your bookcase. If you have an adjustable bookcase, however, you can change the heights of each shelf to accommodate almost any item.
They can cost as little as $20 or as much as $1,000-plus. Most cost no more than $150, but many of the most attractive options start at $200 and rapidly increase in price.
A. Bookcases come in many forms with some of the most common including:
A. Technically there is, but the terms have become so intertwined over the years that they are freely used interchangeably. That said, the actual difference is that bookcases have walls on the sides and rest on the floor while bookshelves have no walls on the sides and are hung on a wall.
Origami Six-Shelf Bookcase: available at Amazon
Our take: This ready-built bookcase is a great choice for any need.
What we like: It folds completely flat for moving or storage but stands firm and steady once deployed. It can hold up to 300 pounds and is waterproof for use outside. It comes with perforated shelves in black or white or stamped shelves in bronze.
What we dislike: A few purchasers received dented or otherwise damaged cases. The folding bars stick out slightly from the back so it can't be placed flush with a wall.
Mainstay Eight-Cube Bookcase: available at Amazon
Our take: This irregular bookcase is perfect for modern rooms.
What we like: The irregular shelving is an excellent way of highlighting objects you want to have the most attention on. It comes in espresso or white. It comes individually or in a two-pack; it also comes in a 12-shelf version in packs of one or two.
What we dislike: A few customers noted it can be a little unsteady; use an anchor if you want to keep it as steady as possible.
Sauder Trestle Five-Shelf Bookcase: available at Amazon, Home Depot and Kohl's
Our take: Take a look at this bookcase if you want to add some rustic flair to your home.
What we like: It can hold up to a total of 165 pounds with lower-placed shelves being able to hold more weight. It's simple to put together and has most of what you need for assembly. There are three finishes to choose from.
What we dislike: It can take up to two hours to put it together. A few purchasers received damaged or used bookcases.
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Jordan C. Woika is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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