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Modern bookcases are open and friendly multi-purpose pieces of furniture. They interact with other elements of the interiors to enhance their elegance. Apart from their main purpose of storing books, you can use them to display your tasteful décor items or to arrange indoor plants.
There are many styles of bookcases available. The following tips can help you narrow your search down and decide wisely which bookcase will match your interior. So, read on and bring home your dream bookcase.
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Standard bookcases come with multiple horizontal shelves. Usually, the shelves are not partitioned, so standard bookcases are ideal for you if you have large collections in different genres of books. Some designs have single or double glass doors.
Sizes:
2-shelf: 32"h X 31"W X 12"D
3-shelf: 41-48"H X 30-36"W X 13"D
4-shelf: 54"H X 24-45"W X 12-145/8"D
5-shelf: 72-77"H X 31-37"W X 12-13"D
Ideal settings: Wood beckons wood. Since Standard bookshelves are mostly made from wood, they will blend naturally with wood-dominated interiors. Apart from wooden furniture, also think of wooden floor, staircase, doors and window-panes, even that wooden coat-hanger in the far corner… Plus, pastel walls and green interior plants and shrubs.
Cube bookcases are based on hollow-cube design -- one of the most space-efficient forms for storage. You can have a wide range of configurations -- from a single cube that can also be your movable low table - to multiple horizontal and vertical configurations. Innovations in this style include in-built cubical bookcases that utilize recessed areas such as the space below the staircase.
Being a modular design, the sizes of cubes are variable. A basic cube is of 14"H X 14"W X 14"D. Material for cubical bookcases is wood or processed wood such as hardboard or planks.
Cube bookcases are perfect fit for most of the modern interiors due to its 'cube nature'.
This bookcase concept is adopted from the original Etagere furniture design that was meant to display small objects of art in living areas. Etagere bookcases are light and casually functional, consisting of just a frame with no back or side covers and open from the front. Symmetrical or asymmetrical shelves run across them.
When small planters, statuettes, or other décor items are displayed along with books on an Etagere stand, it transforms into a tall and elegant showpiece, the pride of your living area!
Steel and aluminum channels or tubes are commonly used to make Etagere bookstands. Wrought iron is also a popular option. Shelf bases are of wooden planks or steel plates.
These bookcases can be of varying heights, but their overall appearance is tall and graceful. Sizes vary, but a standard size is 48"H X 20"W X 13"D.
Etagere bookcases will match elegant interiors with avant-garde décor. They personify casual chic and sophistication. So, rooms with modern art, an imaginative DIY lampshade, boho curtains, maybe a bit of graffiti too! Also, think of openness and minimalistic interior designs. Etagere bookstands are made for such settings.
Ladder Bookcases are bookcases shaped in the form of a ladder, with the upper part resting on the wall and the lower part about 18-20" away from the wall. They have a framed structure similarly to Etagere design.Materials for the structure and shelf base are also identical. And you can use it to showcase your small décor items along with displaying books. In short, ladder-type bookstands are a design variant of Etagere. They can be:
Some ladder bookstands have closed cabinets in their lower part for storage.
The standard size is 72"H X 24.75"W X 16"D. Shelves are usually placed at about 12.75" height difference.
Ladder Bookcases will blend with interiors that are not heavy, static, or imposing. They are light and functional by nature, and they could be light or dark-colored.
They will connect with contrasting interiors, for example, a deep brown ladder bookstand will mesh naturally with ivory walls, bright floral curtains, a snow landscape hanging from the wall opposite the ladder.
These improvised versions of conventional library bookcases come in a wide range of designs:
Library bookcases are made with wood-glass, wood-plastic, and all-wood materials. Wood could be chestnut, maple, cherry, birch, oak, or teak.
Library type bookcases are very versatile and will fit almost any space and a lot will depend on the design and material you choose. Asymmetrical shelves will fit modern and contemporary spaces and units with glass doors will be a great match for retro style. Wooden framed structure on thick wooden base will go with rustic, French country or traditional spaces.