Today I am starting THE SPECTRUM, an occasional series that rounds up stylish decor options spanning the breadth of under-$1K price-points. Today’s focus: bookcases.
Bare Bones: $19 3-shelf Oak Bookcase from Walmart
via Walmart.com
This option is all about seeing the potential:
- 4 of these lined up against a long wall makes an impressive statement and because they are low, they don’t loom or lean or list to one side, as you might notice with inexpensive tall bookcases. For $80, you can house most collections.
- They cry out for decorative projects like paint, decoupage or decals and please, go ahead and wallpaper the backboard and/or the shelves with these sale options from Anthropologie or Pottery Barn.
-Really hate that golden oakiness? No problem. Use a nice fabric to drape the entire bookcase and watch it disappear behind your favorite Marimekko print.
After a year and many heavy hardcovers, mine have held up very well though your mileage may vary. Personal pics soon and for now, you can read other reviews and purchase yours online here.
The bottom line: A medium-term solution that can be customized with a little elbow grease at $.16 per linear inch.
via CrateandBarrel.com
Clean Lines: $50 Sahara Folding Bookcase from Crate & Barrel
Built of sustainable rubberwood and stained to a rich walnut, this option offers an open style that pairs well with contemporary and mid-century modern styles. I can see using a few of these as a sort of étagère to hold some books and display items, to divide a room. Placed against a wall with a contrasting color, it will stand out beautifully. Grab three or four to organize most collections.
If you want a stackable option in a similar style, check out this alternative at The Container Store.
The bottom line: Solid wood open storage $.80 per linear inch.
from Ikea-Usa.com
Scandinavian Scholar: $249 Bergsbo Bookcase from Ikea
So this isn’t exactly the barrister’s bookcase of my dreams but with a punch of color, an impactful presence and lots of storage space, the Bergsbo from Ikea impresses. It must be wall-attached to prevent any crashes so if you aren’t handy, you should budget to have that done as well. The glass doors show off books and collectibles beautifully but if want to minimize visual clutter, consider covering the glass panes with fabric or paper or reverse-painting them. For a custom look, add door pulls from Anthropologie.
The bottom line: A bold statement piece at $1.48 per linear inch.
via CrateandBarrel.com
Heirloom-in-Waiting: $810 Faulkner Library Cabinet from CrateandBarrel.com
Still less than $1K, this is a serious piece of furniture that would be right at home in any Ivy League university study room. But it would happiest in your home. This not something to wildly modify and I implore you to save the stencils and paint for something else. Perhaps add some luxe silver doorhandles but keep it simple. Let the dark-stained gumwood speak for itself as it lovingly cossets your first editions (or your cheap paperbacks). And if you want it to hide bookworm chaos within? Well, just stretch a beautiful piece of fabric (dupioni silk works) behind the glass and your secrets are safe. This should be a comprehensive solution for most book collections.
The bottom line: Worth saving for if you want a timeless look in a new piece furniture for $3+ per linear inch. Score it for 15% off your next purchase now by clicking the pic.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
20 dollars for a bookcase? That sounds like a great deal. Ever find anything cheaper?
Hi Richard,
In terms of price per linear inch of storage, no, I’ve not really found anything less expensive. *But* if you are looking for an absolutely free solution, check out this arrangement from Megan on ApartmentTherapy: http://contests.apartmenttherapy.com/2009/small-cool/assets/0000/4968/TV_rect540.jpg
If books are artfully stacked, they can look super-luxe.
This blog’s where its happenning. Keep up the good work.