Gorgeous picks for the living room, bedroom and home library.
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From framed photos and knick-knacks to potted plants and heavy books, bookcases are the perfect place to display your cherished possessions. Whether you're decorating the living room, upgrading a bedroom or building a private library, bookcases add instant style and function to a space. Since bookcases can range wildly in terms of style, size, quality and price, we've rounded up the best bookcases to buy for every preference.
Depending on how you'd like to display your reading collection, we've included a variety of ideas — keep it simple with a solid bookcase or go minimal with an open-shelving system. There are also unique designs like a triangle storage shelf and tree-shaped bookcase. And if you're designing a small room, such as installing shelves in the bathroom, we've included space-saving solutions like narrow shelving systems and a wall-mounted option.
While the majority of these budget-friendly picks cost under $500, we've sprinkled in a few splurge-worthy options (for example: a set of two bookcases ideal for a large book collection and a modular shelving system that can be customized to fit your space). Don't miss the cheap bookcases under $100 from retailers like Walmart and Amazon that don't skimp on style and still provide plenty of sturdy storage space. As you scroll, pay close to attention to materials, dimensions and of course, each pick's number of shelves.
Take advantage of vertical space by opting for a tall bookcase that requires minimal floor space. Made from steel and particleboard, this four-tier ladder bookcase is available in an array of modern styles (think brown, gray and rustic brown). The shelves are durable and spacious (the 13" distance between shelves holds taller items). Online reviewers found it's sturdy, looks great and is easy to assemble — impressive given the low price point.
Exuding a timeless aesthetic, this standard bookcase pairs well with any design style — plus it's available in 10 different wood finishes, ranging from light to dark. Each of the five shelves can support up to 50 pounds, so it's a smart choice for anyone hoping to display a large collection of heavy books. Not to mention, three of the shelves can be adjusted to accommodate items of various sizes.
Opt for a non-traditional style with this tree bookshelf, perfect for displaying movies, books and more. The multi-functional bookshelf is only 15 inches wide, making it a practical choice for small spaces. Each of the six storage areas can hold between five and 10 books, plus the open base provides additional storage. Online reviewers agree it's easy to assemble and "very sturdy," especially given its size and low price.
Bring a touch of glamour into the bedroom with this iron bookcase, defined by its rounded edges and curved indent design. The five glass shelves can each support up to 35 pounds, making it possible to display an array of decorative items. Online reviewers love the elegant appearance and found that it's the perfect size. To pair with your bedroom style, the brand offers a variety of finishes: satin gold, bronze, black, white, deco stone and sindoori mango.
With slim legs and beveled edges, this mid-century modern style bookcase is a stunning addition to any living space. Available as a single or set of two, these bookcases are pricey but worth the splurge — note that it's made from sustainably sourced wood and each shelf holds up to 100 pounds.
Whether you've got a spacious home office or a dedicated home library, you'll need sturdy and spacious shelving to showcase your entire book collection. These wood bookcases, sold as a set of two, each feature two fixed shelves for stability and three adjustable shelves for flexible organization (each shelf supports up to 50 pounds). Choose from various colors, including vintage gold pine, black and vogue cherry.
This space-saving ladder shelf is ideal for any small room, from kitchens and home offices to bedrooms. Depending on your layout, you'll have the option to choose from four or five tiers, as well as a slighter wider four-tier option. Each shelf can support around 24 pounds, great for plants, lightweight books or knick-knacks. Online reviewers agree this rustic brown bookcase is easy to assemble, sturdy and offers a great value given the low price.
If you have a blank wall in need of an upgrade, consider this triple-wide bookcase, available in vintage brown, vintage black, industrial white and industrial brown. The shelving system, which is about 70 inches wide, features 14 open shelves to maximize vertical storage space. Overall, online reviewers are impressed by the quality (most agree it's sturdy) and ease of assembly.
FLOYD allows you to configure a shelving system, choosing from short, tall and special shelving. You can take your pick of three different shelf colors (white, black and green) and two wood types (ash and walnut) to customize it to fit your style. Although a higher price point, this modular shelving system is made from quality materials and designed to grow with you — plus each steel shelf supports up 65 pounds.
If you've got limited floor space, opt for a floating bookcase instead — great for bathrooms, bedrooms or living rooms. This wall shelf features a pipe-style frame and a distressed dark brown wood finish. Each of the three tiers can support up to 30 pounds. Online reviewers agree it's great quality, looks beautiful and the shelves are a great size.
With over 4,000 five-star reviews, this budget-friendly bookcase is the perfect way to dress up any corner — whether in the living room or bedroom. It's easy to find an option to pair with your home style with a wide variety of chic colors: white, black, cherry wood, espresso, gray and weathered oak. The easy-to-assemble shelf stands 63 inches tall and has an angled frame, meaning the five shelves vary in size as they descend from the top.
Embrace a statement look with this A-frame shelf, which gets bigger from top to bottom. It's ideal for displaying everything from planters, books and vases to shoes and storage bins. Note the shelves can only support about 13 pounds each, but the entire system weighs 20.5 pounds, so it's great for anyone looking for a lightweight option.
Keep it simple with this versatile wood bookcase, which includes three shelves (two of which are adjustable). Online reviewers rate it highly for ease of assembly (one writes it took about 25 minutes), beautiful appearance, nice size and quality given the low price point. Choose from classic shades, like brook cherry, cinnamon cheery, highland oak and white.
Over 7,000 reviewers have rated this boho bookcase five stars, with most noting that the beautiful, modern design provides plenty of storage. Assembly should take under 60 minutes and the brand encourages you to group multiple bookcases together to create a multi-functional space. Choose from a number of styles, including light oak with black, gold brass with white and nutmeg with black.
If style is top of mind, we're obsessed with this metal frame bookcase. It features a sleek, industrial design, including an X-frame stretcher that adds stability. The four spacious shelves are made from firwood, which brings warmth and texture into any space (we love this for the living room or entry). Aside from aesthetics, each shelf (four in total) supports up to 60 pounds and online reviewers are impressed by the quality materials.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
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