The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.
The Insider Pick:
Bookshelves come in all shapes and styles, but it can be hard to discern which ones can be trusted to hold your treasured book collection, and which ones will eventually end up in a heap. The IKEA Billy bookshelf is a classic favorite that won’t let you down. It’s affordable without sacrificing quality, and you can get it in many sizes.
In an age of iPads and Kindles, some might consider having a large collection of books — or any books — an unnecessary source of clutter. However, if you’re a true bibliophile, reading the previous sentence likely pained you a great deal (I know writing it did) and you can’t imagine a universe in which you don’t have at least some sort of book collection lingering around your home. After all, as convenient as ebooks can be, there’s still nothing like being able to hold a book in your hands and having the satisfaction of physically turning the pages.
That said, books do take up a lot of space if they aren’t stored properly. Enter the mighty bookshelf. From its early form of holding scrolls in Ancient Egypt, to the modern configuration that evolved in response to the invention of the printing press, the bookshelf is still a necessity for book lovers. As with most pieces of furniture, bookshelves come in many different styles, but there are a few main things to consider when you’re hunting for the perfect bookshelf to house your collection.
- Style: From the standard design with horizontal shelving and a closed-back frame to whimsical shapes and themes, your bookshelf can be as simple or as personalized as you want it to be. If you just want a solid bookshelf that will blend in nicely with your home, you may want to go with a more standard design.
- Size: Take a look at your book collection. How much space do you actually need? If you don’t have many books, a three-shelf unit may do the trick. If your collection is on the larger side, or you plan on expanding your library, a 5-shelf unit with modular capabilities may be the way to go. When it comes to size, you’ll want to know a few other measurements as well, including the height, width, and shelving depth so you can rest assured that your bookshelf will fit where you intend to put it and that the shelves will be large enough to hold your books. You’ll also want to pay attention to the space between the shelves, and whether they can be adjusted.
- Material: The type of books or decorations you’re planning on storing on your shelves can help you determine what type of material you want. The most common types of materials are wood, particle board, and metal. Solid wood is a good bet if you plan on storing heavier hard cover books, as is metal since the shelves made from these materials won’t be as likely to bend over time. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, particleboard is the way to go. It will give you the look of solid wood without the higher price tag. Beware, though, if you have a lot of heavy books, this material isn’t quite as sturdy as solid wood or metal.
Before you get too overwhelmed, not to worry — we’ve done the research for you to come up with five different options to help you find the perfect home for your literary treasures. They say you should never judge a book by its cover, so we took a deeper dive into the reviews to figure out which bookshelves not only looked nice, but also stood up to their claims of durability and functionality. The traits of quality, affordability, and style were all taken into consideration on our hunt for the best bookshelves.
SEE ALSO: The best e-readers you can buy
The best bookshelf overall
Why you'll love it: The IKEA Billy bookcase is affordable, well-made, and versatile, making it an ideal home for your book collection.
IKEA is known for making quality furniture at an affordable price, and the Billy Bookcase is no exception. Originally launched in 1979, its understated design and four different color options make it a versatile piece of furniture that can go with many décor styles.
It’s also an ideal foundation for your library of books, especially if you plan on expanding your collection. You can build upon this unit as your collection grows with other Billy Shelving options. Apartment Therapy calls the Billy the “world’s most versatile bookcase.” It can give you the look of a full library without the high cost of other solutions like built-in bookshelves — so both your books and your wallet can rejoice.
If you’re wondering how much the assembly of this bookshelf will cost you in the form of headaches and cursing, the answer is not much. Most reviewers found the Billy easy to assemble, and appreciated its high-quality look and feel as well as its perfect size. At nearly 80 inches tall and 31.5 inches wide, even one unit alone has the capacity to hold a lot of stuff, whether you’re just displaying books, or a mix of books and knick-knacks. With adjustable shelves at a shelf depth of 11 inches, you’ll be able to store most types of books and collectibles.
Insider Picks' guides editor Malarie Gokey owns a red Billy bookcase and loves it. It's stood up for two years already and houses a number of books, tea paraphernalia, and other collectibles. It was easy to put together in less than one hour.
This reviewer did have a little trouble with some of her largest books hanging slightly over the edge, and didn’t care for the fixed middle shelf. Personally, I typically use the fixed and bottom shelf of my bookcases for my heavier items and have never had an issue with this set-up. You will want to be conscious of how many large, heavier hard cover books you have if you are considering this bookshelf as it’s wooden particleboard construction won’t be quite as sturdy as solid wood.
According to IKEA, it’s estimated that one Billy bookshelf is sold somewhere in the world every five seconds. While this may be more marketing hook than factual statistic, the Billy is a bookshelf that appears repeatedly in reviews, and is a clear favorite that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Pros: Versatile style, easy assembly, easily expanded upon, good quality for the price
Cons: Fixed middle shelves, bookshelf depth won’t fit some oversized books, wood particleboard construction
The best budget friendly bookcase
Why you'll love it: The South Shore Axess bookcase proves that durability, style, and easy assembly can be had for less than $100.
The Axess bookcase collection comes in at an even more affordable price than the IKEA Billy. Book Riot even goes so far as to say it almost beats out the Billy, and buyers agree.
The Axess can be had in 3, 4, or 5 shelf variations, and it comes in multiple colors. No matter your style of décor or the size of your book collection, Axess gives you options. Most of the variations come with at least two adjustable shelves, so you can make the room needed for taller books or decorations.
With affordability come some caveats. Since these are budget friendly bookshelves, they aren’t made of more expensive materials like solid wood or metal. However, the non-toxic laminated particleboard that makes up these bookshelves is made to look like real wood. It's also quite sturdy, and the adjustable shelves can hold up to 15 pounds, while the fixed shelves can hold as much as 24 pounds. You just have to put your heaviest items on the fixed or bottom shelf.
Most reviewers were pleased with the Axess shelf, finding it easy to assemble, sturdy, and visually pleasing. Some didn’t like that it was made entirely of particleboard and worried that the material would affect its stability. However, most buyers haven't had any issues with it and accept the compromise. Some buyers recommend securing it to the wall with the metal L-bracket provided for added security.
If you’re searching for a bookshelf that will look good while you save for the built-in bookshelves of your dreams, the Axess shelves are a good option. Just because you may not be ready to purchase a more expensive bookshelf shouldn’t mean your treasured books must wait to be displayed.
Pros: Easy to assemble, durable for the price, adjustable shelves, multiple color and style options
Cons: Some reviewers felt the particleboard made it less sturdy
The best bookshelf for small spaces
Why you'll love it: If you’re short on space, but have even a sliver of wall to spare, it will be enough for the IKEA Lack Wall Shelf Unit.
Just because you don’t have a lot of space doesn’t mean you should hide your book collection away. The Lack wall shelf unit turns tradition on its side by having you lay your books down and stack them rather than display them vertically as you would with a traditional bookshelf. The Lack conserves space while providing a unique way for you to display your collection. This wall-mounted shelf will keep both your books and any other collectibles organized and up off the floor.
Apartment Therapy praises the multifunctional abilities of the Lack shelf. If you don’t have a corner to spare, consider mounting it horizontally rather than vertically over your bed to serve a dual purpose of headboard and bookshelf. Instead of feeling limited by your small space, use it as inspiration to get more innovative with the room you do have — you may surprise yourself with your creativity.
As a wall-mounted shelf, the Lack isn’t ideal for very heavy books, but it is sturdy enough to hold smaller collections. Each shelf holds up to 7 pounds, and the wall mounting hardware provided gives you the choice of safely hanging it horizontally or vertically. At almost 75 inches tall, with a width of 11 inches and a shelf depth of 11 inches, the Lack gives you enough space to store even oddly shaped books without taking up much space.
It is made of particleboard, but most reviewers have found it to be a stable unit that is easy to install. Some reviewers warned that if you want to store heavier items, these shelves may not be sturdy enough. However, if you follow the weight specifications, the Lack will make for a unique and space saving way to stash your books and collectibles.
Pros: Space-saving design, easy assembly, versatile
Cons: Not able to hold heavy items
See the rest of the story at Business Insider