The best wall bookcases

Every home needs at least one bookcase to display books, framed photos or various decorative items. If you are looking for your first home bookcase, or simply need to add a new one to your current collection, you should look into a wall bookcase. However, there are so many options on the market that you'll probably have a hard time choosing the best one for your home. Luckily, there's this buying guide for the best wall bookcases to make it easier for you.

Bookcase Poyang 2 imitation oak 1

Bookcase Poyang 2 imitation oak

23,99 £ on BUT

This imitation oak bookcase of 59,2 x169,4 x 23,4 cm is composed by high shelves. Its sturdy structure will fit well in a kitchen, dining room or bedroom.

Bookcase 3 spaces Cubico white 2

Bookcase 3 spaces Cubico white

12,93 £ on Conforama

With these 3 simple and efficient storage units, you will save your space as well as your budget. You can combine this 40 x 80 x 29 cm bookcase with other elements of various colors.

Norton bookcase imitation wood and concrete 3

Norton bookcase imitation wood and concrete

320 £ on BUT

The Norton bookcase exudes quality. It has a large and varied storage space. Its measurements of 100 x 164 x 40 cm should be more than enough to store your items.

Bookcase Brush 3 Imitation oak/grey 4

Bookcase Brush 3 Imitation oak/grey

127 £ on BUT

Bring a design touch to your home with the Brush 3 Imitation oak/grey bookcase and its sliding doors. This furniture will be perfect to display your decorative objects, your books, your CDs and much more.

BENTO Bookcase Imitation wood 5

BENTO Bookcase Imitation wood

159 £ on But

This BENTO Imitation wood bookcase is the perfect example of the perfect wall bookcase. In addition to being practical, it is compact and efficient. This model of 1m80 in height for 1m16 in length is distinguished by its sliding half-shelf system.

OPTIMA Bookcase Imitation oak 6

OPTIMA Bookcase Imitation oak

71,99 £ on But

This imitation oak model of the OPTIMA bookcase is practical and has compact dimensions. Moreover, you benefit from five shelves, four of which can be adjusted in height. The oak imitation goes very well with light wood color furniture.

DICO bookcase white color 7

DICO bookcase white color

55,99 £ on Conforama

This bookcase by DICO has a white finish and clean lines to adapt to different types of interiors. Simple and functional, this bookcase benefits from a relatively solid particleboard structure.

HONEY Library 8

HONEY Library

143 £ on Conforama

The particular design of this bookcase allows it to be used in the home as well as in the office. The natural wood finish is totally flexible. This model offers 10 storage spaces and benefits from a robust structure.

ARTHUR bookcase 4 spaces 9

ARTHUR bookcase 4 spaces

31,10 £ on Conforama

With its sleek design and oak color, this compact bookcase will fit perfectly into many interior designs. The use of natural wood will give warmth to the room where the bookcase will be. This model has four niches and one drawer.

SOPHIA Library 10

SOPHIA Library

31,99 £ on Conforama

In the category of compact wall bookcases, this SOPHIA model will find its place anywhere in your home, even in the smallest spaces. It is composed of two trays for three compartments and has a sober design.

Buying guide - wall library

Primary Item (H2)Sub Item 1 (H3)

Why can you trust us?

Why you can trust us
Our mission
How to support us
We do NOT accept any sponsored posts or advertising.

We spend thousands of hours each year studying the major specialized websites, analyzing products of hundreds of brands and reading user feedback to advise you on the best products.

Our mission is to simplify your purchasing decisions.

We are a product review company with a single mission: to simplify your buying decisions. Our research and testing helps millions of people every year find the best products for their personal needs and budget.

We are a small team of geeks and enthusiasts.

To support us you can: use our links to make your purchases (which often earns us a small commission), share our articles on social networks, or recommend our site on your blog. Thanks in advance for your support!

How to choose your wall library

First, assess your needs. Determine whether or not you have a huge collection of books to store, a few reading racks with clever accessories, a little bit of both, or maybe you just have an empty space on the wall you'd like to fill. Once you've assessed what you want, it's time to review the key points to consider before purchasing your new wall bookcase.

Criterion n°1 : The size

Measure the space intended to accommodate the bookcase. This will help narrow down which models to focus on from the plethora of options available. Make sure you get the exact size of the shelves. Also consider the headroom above the books.

If you don't have a lot of room, you'll want to consider a vertical type wall bookcase: one that goes up high, like a tower. If you don't have much to put in it, one or more small bookcases may be perfect.

Criterion n°2 : The material

Awall-mounted bookcase will need to address the issues you're trying to solve, regardless of the material. However, the material does play a role in how long the bookcase will last as well as how easy it will be to move. Hardwoods and solid metals are the strongest and most durable, but they are expensive.

On the other hand, they are much heavier and more cumbersome to move. Wood veneers and plywood are common materials used for wall bookcases. They are less sturdy, but are excellent choices for rustic or more traditional decorating themes.

Criterion n°3 : The style

Thestyle and visual appearance of your wall bookcase should match your interior design style. If you are not attached to one interior design style, go for one of these popular furniture styles like mid-century modern bookcases, modern and contemporary bookcases.

Criterion n°4 : The features

Depending on how you plan to use your wall bookcase, you may want to prioritize some features more than others among these:

  • Adjustable Height Shelves: For the most versatility, choose a bookcase with movable shelves. These shelves usually hang from pegs that can be inserted through a series of holes to adjust their position.
  • Wheels: If you plan to use your shelves as a room divider, or if you like to rearrange your interior very often, consider a bookcase mounted on wheels. This will allow for easy movement from room to room.
  • Room divider: In a home with open space or a large room, a bookshelf can serve as a room divider. If this is the plan you are planning, be sure to purchase a bookcase that is specifically designed to stand alone.

Criterion n°5 : Open back or closed back?

Are yousharing a space or want to give the illusion of a larger room? An open-back wall bookcase works well as a room divider and is accessible from the front and back. Open back bookcases can be placed anywhere, not just against a wall or in a corner.

Where to put your wall bookcase?

If you're an avid reader, or just a casual reader, chances are your home needs a wall bookcase. It's a great functional piece of furniture to house all your books, but bookcases also offer unique styling opportunities. But, where in a room should it be?

From the home office to the living room, there are so many rooms in which a wall-mounted bookcase would thrive, so it's no wonder that this is a tricky decision and a frequently asked question in the world of interior design.

Placing your bookcase in the wrong place can completely throw your room off balance, but in the right place, it will create a harmonious feel to the room while adding practicality and a burst of color. So, now that we've described the state of affairs, where exactly should your new wall bookcase go? Here are three tried and true places where a bookcase almost always works in your home:

  • Behind the sofa: One of the most common places for a wall bookcase is against the wall behind your sofa. This is an especially good choice if you live in a small apartment or house. Plus, this space-saving trick adds visual interest to a room.
  • Either side of your TV stand: Take your existing TV stand and frame each side with a matching wall bookcase, creating a visually appealing configuration. Colorful books, framed photos and plants will look great on your bookshelf and overall the look will be cohesive and dynamic.
  • In a cozy corner: A must for the bedroom, home office or living room, creating a small corner just for reading and relaxing is a great way to structure your room and define the space. This choice works best in larger homes, as it's important to have some space between your library nook and other large furniture pieces.

Wall bookcase or shelves

Wall bookcase

A bookcase is often called a shelf by many furniture dealers. It stands on the floor. Usually, you will see them as closed partitions in three parts in the front and back, with several layers of shelves.

It is composed of several layers of shelves from the floor to a certain height, but is often high enough to cover a significant portion of the wall.

Although many wall bookcases are made of hardwood and bulky, they can still be moved from one part of the house to another since they are not permanently attached. The downside is that if it is not positioned properly, it could fall over. So you need to make sure the legs are level and add extra support if necessary.

Shelves

A shelf is a composition of one or more shelves. It can be wall mounted or ladder style. It is often mounted high enough to keep items safe from playing children or pets. Its design can add beauty to your home as it can highlight a specific area of the house.

Compared to a bookcase, a shelf can be a little smaller, but you can position it easily in the house. It can be an additional location for your book collection.

Since it is fixed or wall-mounted, there is not much you can do to move a bookshelf once you have installed it. That's why you need to position it correctly the first time.

Verdict

Choosing between a bookcase and a bookshelf will be a matter of personal preference. You've seen the differences above, and from there you can determine the pros and cons based on your current situation.

For example, if you own your home, it will be advantageous to choose a more permanent piece of furniture, like a bookshelf. It offers more storage, extra compartments and doesn't use too much space.

However, purchasing a wall-mounted bookcase may be the best option if you are in a rental property. These two pieces of furniture can be used interchangeably more often than not.

Why buy a wall bookcase?

You have many choices

Wall bookcases are available in a wide range of designs, sizes, styles and materials. So you can choose any piece that fits perfectly into your space and defines your style and that of your interior.

You can expand its use

Instead of just storing your books in it, a wall-mounted bookcase can allow you to multitask. Place the shelves at an appropriate height and a whole section of the bookcase as a mini bar. You can also use the top part of the bookcase to display photos or decorative items. Use the bookcase as you wish. Your limit will be your imagination!

You will have easy access to your books

Wall-mounted bookcases allow your books to become easily accessible because of their flexibility. In addition, they usually come with many shelves that allow you to organize your collection as you wish.

You will save space

Wall-mounted bookcases come in sometimes unusual designs and sizes. So you can place them against the wall, mount them on the wall if there is not enough floor space. These versatile pieces of furniture not only save space, but also provide extra room for other furniture. There are even wall-mounted bookcases that run along the staircase wall as well under the stairs to save space, especially in smaller apartments.

You will be able to show your personality

Bookcases are the best furniture to showcase your personality. They allow you to showcase items that reflect your interests and hobbies. You can also refine your choices by considering the decor and color of the place where you plan to put the wall bookcase.

The best brands of wall libraries

In our opinion, the best brands of wall libraries in 2022 are :

Cubico
Norton
Brush
BENTO
HONEY

Say hello to your new favorite wall bookcase brand! From traditional to ultra-modern, Cubico offers a wide catalog of products. Select the material and finish that best suits your interior design.

Thisbrand offers home furnishings that are anything but basic. Its catalog features products that combine style, quality and affordability for any budget. At Norton, you'll find beautiful sofas, graphic side tables, and unique accent furniture, like wall-mounted bookcases, that are sure to receive tons of compliments from your guests.

Witha cross between modern, mid-century, and Scandinavian vibes, Brush offers elegantly designed furniture in unique shapes and finishes that fit many interior design styles. Its unique wall bookcase design is quite innovative and practical.

High-end doesn't always have to be expensive! That's the BENTO slogan. Customers love BENTO and for many good reasons. Its furniture is beautiful, simple and at the same time modern. The brand's furniture, especially the wall-mounted bookcases, are built to last and easily blend with any other furniture you already own.

Clean lines and subtle curves come together to create the beautiful designs of HONEY furniture. Made from environmentally friendly materials and in small batches, HONEY furniture is easy to assemble and can be disassembled and moved quickly. The brand's wall bookcase is no exception!

What is the price for a wall library

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
10 £ to 60 £
Mid-range
60 £ to 100 £
High-end
more than 100 £
Price range diagram

Tips

Start decorating your wall bookcase with the big items

When it comes to filling your wall bookcase with something other than books, start with large items such as woven baskets or artwork. It's easy to get scattered when you start decorating a wall bookcase with small items; this will help you get the scale and balance right and give you a basic layout.

Decorate the shelves of your wall bookcase with memorabilia

Objects that have special meaning to you or evoke certain memories make great wall bookcase decorations. Gather mementos from travels or treasured collectibles to decorate your shelves. For a more dynamic visual effect, arrange stacks of books horizontally to serve as pedestals for smaller items.

Add greenery to your wall bookcase

Indoor plants add a touch of life and also have many health benefits. In particular, they improve air quality and even help reduce blood pressure. There is a wide selection of stylish and affordable pots in which you can place your plants.

Don't fill your bookcase completely

Evenif you have a lot of books and/or other items to display, try to place only those you really like and find another place for the others. You'll want to mix books with other decorative items and leave some white space. When you fill your shelves with lots of small things, it will be busy and unnecessary.

Vary the heights and depths

Placeyour books flat and horizontally. Put some decorative pieces closer to the back and some closer to the front. For example, you can put a picture frame in the back and place a small decorative item in front.

FAQ

How to make a wooden wall bookcase?

Wooden wall bookcasesare elegant, but they can be difficult and expensive to build. We show you an easier way to create a classic piece for any space. Here are the main things to consider:

  • Choose the material for each side of the bookcase: choose plywood.
  • Choose the main material: we recommend birch veneer plywood.
  • Make the cuts and markings.
  • Assemble it all.

How many books can a wall bookcase hold?

Youcan make a pretty accurate estimateof how many books a bookcase can hold, even if you're not good with numbers. All you have to do is take some measurements and do some simple calculations. Here's the basic formula: The width of the inside of each shelf X (times) the number of shelves (divided by) the average width of the books you own.

What is the average height of a wall bookcase?

Wall-mounted bookcases are usually no more than 2 meters high, which is about as high as a 6-foot tall person can reach without a stool. When choosing the dimensions of your wall bookcase, consider the aesthetic and practical aspects related to the height. Obviously, the width should be proportional to the height.

How to properly maintain a wall bookcase?

Somenatural woods with which wall bookcases are made need to be treated every few months to maintain their color. It is fairly easy to find a wood care kit to help you maintain your furniture. For painted or metal wall bookcases, you can simply wipe off the dust with a damp cloth.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. How to choose a bookcase?, Cdiscount.com
  2. Which bookcase to choose? Tips and inspirations - BUT Blog, Blog.but.fr
  3. How to choose your bookcase ? Our advice - IDMarket.com, Idmarket.com
  4. Bookcase Buying Guide, Myblogdeco.fr
  5. Your In-depth Bookcase Buying Guide, Laredoute.fr
  6. How to Fit a Bookcase into a Small Living Room, Wayfair.co.uk
  7. 7 Things to Consider Before Buying a Bookcase, Sierralivingconcepts.com
  8. How to Choose a Bookcase (Bookcase Buying Guide), Apartmenttherapy.com
  9. Freshome's Bookcase Buying Guide 5 minute read, Hayneedle.com
  10. Amazon.co.uk : wall bookcase, Livingspaces.com
  11. Wall bookcase in 65 inspiring photos - Archzine.fr, Mymove.com
  12. 15 ideas to adopt a wall bookcase in the living room, amazon.co.uk
  13. Bookcase and shelf - Cheap wall shelf | BUT.fr, archzine.fr
  14. Bookcase cheap - Design bookcase - IKEA, maison-travaux.fr
  15. Bookcase and shelf bookcase | Maisons du Monde, but.fr
  16. Bookcases and shelves - IKEA, ikea.com
  17. WALL bookcases | Roche Bobois, maisonsdumonde.com
  18. 140 best ideas about Wall bookcase | furniture from ...., ikea.com
  19. Bookcase cheap - Conforama, roche-bobois.com
  20. Bookcase furniture | La Redoute, pinterest.fr
  21. Wall bookcase - metal wood book shelf | REGALRAUM, conforama.fr
  22. Wall bookcase at mini price - manomano.fr, laredoute.fr
  23. Wall bookcase design in solid oak - TIPTOE, regalraum.com
  24. Bookcase and shelf | Leroy Merlin, manomano.fr
  25. Bookcase and shelf | Storage furniture | Castorama.fr, tiptoe.fr
  26. Wall bookcase | kidea.fr, leroymerlin.fr
  27. Amazon.co.uk : wall bookcase, castorama.fr
  28. 30 design bookcases for inspiration - Marie Claire, kidea.fr
  29. Bookcase and shelf furniture for living room | alinea, amazon.co.uk
  30. Bookcase and shelf furniture for wall - Miliboo, marieclaire.fr
  31. , alinea.com
  32. , miliboo.com
See more

Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

See more

Lecteurs

Every month we help more than 1 000 000 people buy better and smarter.

Copyright © 2022 - Made with by buyingbetter.co.uk

Your reviews and buying guides 0% advertising, 100% independent!