As I watched the movers haul my surprisingly-long-lasting particle-board IKEA bookshelves up the stairs and into my new place, it dawned on me: IT IS TIME FOR REAL BOOKSHELVES, GIRL. Now that I’m in my mid-thirties, I’ve been slowly starting to replace my cheap college-era furniture with better-quality stuff, one piece at a time. So… let’s go shopping!
The dream.
I love the look of this rubberwood Augustus Library bookshelf with ladder. OK, it’s a bit of an affectation to put a ladder on a six-shelf bookcase, but haven’t you always secretly wanted one? For a more modern feel, the open back and X-framed sides make this Verona bookcase feel simple and light, and it really puts the focus on your book collection.
Supporting local small businesses is always good, and the Ballard Bookcase Company specializes in those amazing custom full-room bookshelf sets that are every book lover’s dream. But until that surprise inheritance rolls in, I’m thinking the solid pine stain-it-yourself bookshelves are more my speed: affordable, sturdy, and space-saving.
Who wouldn’t want these wall-to-wall bookcases by Ballard Books?
I’m undecided about these minimalist leaning bookshelves. Sure, they look cool, but those teeny-tiny top shelves hold next to nothing, and the whole thing seems kind of rickety. I suspect this is more for someone who wants to show off tasteful knick-knacks and a few artfully displayed books, as opposed to someone like me who will be jamming in double-stacked piles of paperbacks until the back bulges out.
Pretty, but too flimsy? Strut Bookcase by Crate & Barrel.
IKEA actually has a pretty nice-looking solid wood bookcase, and it’s a steal at $149 — but the back panel is flimsy fiberboard. HISS! However, this got my DIY juices flowing. What if you just got a sheet of plywood, stained it to match or painted it a sassy contrasting color, and nailed that down in place instead? You’d have a great-looking, unique shelf for a very affordable price. Maybe I’m not done furniture shopping at IKEA after all…
What’s your dream bookshelf? Tell us in the comments!
- Spring 2020 Book Preview - May 15, 2020
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Hi, this post has given me some great ideas.
I’m almost 26 and I am running out of room on my current shelves. They are wonderful movie and book shelves my dad built for me from scratch when I paid for the materials and picked out the stain and size (2 DVD cases 7ft tall X 3 ft wide X 10 in deep) and a book case in between them at (6ft tall X 3 ft wide X 1ft deep). It was a labor of love and he is the best dad for it but that was about 8 years ago and he just doesn’t have the time, energy, or desire to do all of that work again. It sucks, I liked making my own design and knowing they were solid. That’s my real concern I guess is finding a solid product. I don’t want something that’s going to bow with the weight of my books and such. The ones I find that are solid are hella expensive and not exactly what I had in mind and lets face it for the price of some of them you would need to LOVE it to pay that much. I am finding I like the Hemnes from Ikea idea with painting or wallpapering the back part and giving it a splash but keeping the solid frame. Maybe even leave it open in the back. Anyways wanted to say thanks for the idea and pointing me towards some new ideas.