I’ve got bookshelf styling and beautiful bookshelves on my mind as I’m working on two styling projects right now.
I’ve just been to Dallas Home & Gift Market too and there are always lots of beautiful accessories on display. I shared some pics this past week in my Instagram stories and in reels, so check them out.
While all the “stuff” is fun to collect, if you don’t have built-ins, then you will need some bookcases or etageres. These are nice “extra” pieces of furniture to have, whether you need them or not. They can help break up a wall visually, add height or bring the eye up in a room, and of course, show off your beautiful books, collections, and items you hold dear.
I did a local consultation recently with a woman who had a really long entry hall. I encouraged her to put a tall cabinet piece of some kind there, as the long wall and the space really needed to be broken up. Not having that piece accentuated the length of the hall.
I can’t tell you how many I’ve recommended in my Wall Decor Guide for people trying to fill big blank walls, like in this pic, below.
From my Instagram Q and A last January, I recommended two bookcases or etageres on each side of the tv to help fill out the wall. carlaaston.com
Today, I’m going to share some top picks for bookcases or etageres, in case you are thinking of buying as well as a few guidelines for what will work best for you.
Considerations When selecting A Bookshelf Unit or Etagere
1) Do you have lots of stuff to display?
If you think you will have a crowded bookcase, you should probably get something really sturdy, maybe wood or wood and metal. Glass shelves feel more lightweight and cater more to lighter overall look, so having a lot of items might feel overloaded.
Here’s one of my own bookcases in my home. It is a perfect example of a crowded, very full look. carlaaston.com
2) What kind of items do you have that you want to use?
If you have a lot of books, then wood shelving is great. A piece that looks like a built-in might even be appropriate to consider, like a bookshelf with wood (either painted or stained wood) sides and back.
I do like to stack large books on their sides, which is great for any type of bookshelf styling.
If you have a lot of picture frames and family photos, I’d use smaller frames and then I’d put them into a bookcase with sides and a back. These items don’t usually look good from the side of the bookcase, so keeping them tucked inside a more enclosed piece is nice.
If you have some sculptural pieces you’d like to show off, a more minimal shelving, like glass and metal, might be best. Then you’ll be able to see the whole piece and not have it rather hidden in a bookcase with sides and back.
3) What style are you going for in the room?
Are you more modern or traditional? Maybe something in between?
Identify a style and make a statement in that direction with your bookcase. OR many of these bookcases can lean either way as long as the materials work in the room.
4) What kind of wall space do you have available?
Where do you plan to use the piece? You can use bookshelves or etageres as wall dividers as long as they look finished on both sides of the piece. They can even stand in a window, shorter shelving is usually good for that. I’d go for an open look piece that you can see through. You can use it for plants too then if you get plenty of light.
Before buying, do a mock up of your wall and check the width and height of the bookcase or etagere you want to buy. Just measure it out to scale on the wall. That will give you a good idea of how it will fill the room and let you know if you need to adjust the dimensions in your selection.
NOTE: BTW, it is a good idea to fasten your bookcases or etageres to the wall to prevent tipping, especially with children and pets in the house.
Bookshelves And Etageres that make a big wall statement
These first group of bookshelves all make a heavier statement on the wall. Some even look like they could be built-ins.
I saw these as new intros at market from Hooker in the fall of 2021 and now they are available online. Love the woven look on the face of the doors and the cabinet pulls. This is the darker finish, but I think I like the lighter best, which is shown below in the shopping section.
These add some pattern to a wall with the X design side panels. You don’t need a lot of accessories here, as the architecture of the piece helps make a statement. It does a lot to bring some wood element and texture in to a space too.
Wood bookcases with X design from Hooker Furniture. These will add warmth, texture and interest to a plain wall. carlaaston.com
Shelves like these with sides and a back from Hooker are good for library type look. They look like built-ins, but you can take them with you when you move!
These Hooker Furniture bookcases have a library look or built-in style.
These bookshelves from Pottery Barn would work well in an office with the drawers below for storage.
I like the combination of a painted or plaster look type finish here with the wood shelves. One of these was a new intro from Hooker from the Big Sky collection and the other bookcase is by Lauren Liess for Woodbridge. They both have a lightness to them but still maintain a rather rustic look.
This arched bookshelf is a new intro, Big Sky Collection, from Hooker. carlaaston.com
This plaster-look with wood shelf bookshelf give a nice rustic appearance without feeling too heavy. These are designed by Lauren Liess from Woodbridge. carlaaston.com
A chunky modern style with some of those ever-popular curves is incorporated into this shelving unit from Dovetail Furniture, seen at Highpoint Market. I found a similar one on Lulu and Georgia, linked below.
A simple chunky style with some curves speaks to the popular styles at hand these days. This shelving unit from Dovetail Furniture. carlaaston.com
This type of etagere makes a pattern of geometric shapes on a wall. With these it is not so much about the stuff on the shelves, but the design that’s created. Sculpture and decorative objects look great on this type of shelving.
Here’s an etagere with some varying shelf shapes and sizes. It makes an interesting pattern on the wall. carlaaston.com
This geometric piece from Bernhardt creates an interesting visual on a wall. carlaaston.com
This etagere from Universal combines metal and wood. carlaaston.com
The rattan wrapping on this piece by Tommy Bahama has a light, coastal look. carlaaston.com
In a more traditional style, these etageres with a quatrefoil design make a statement all on their own. I saw these towers at market last spring at Wildwood. I like the painted look, they can paint these any Benjamin Moore color.
Tall, painted wood etageres from Wildwood would make a statement in any corner. carlaaston.com
Bookshelves and Etageres for Small Spaces
These pyramid style etageres are perfect for filling corners or I like having two, flanking a doorway. They make nice plant stands in a window too.
This pyramid style etagere comes in cream and black. You can tuck it into any corner to help fill an empty space.
Corner cabinets are really nice for small space living.
If you don’t have much space for shelving or display, try this corner closed cabinet. It fits well into the corner and the glass doors can keep small items displayed while eliminating the need to dust often.
The more open corner cabinet below, from Crate and Barrel, has a modern look with open and closed storage.
This corner cabinet from Ballard is handy and doesn’t take up much room. carlaaston.com
Corner cabinet from Crate and Barrel has open and closed storage and a modern look. carlaaston.com
Ballard always has some really practical pieces, like this one. I think they must listen to their customers needs clearly.
We did a nice little corner open bookcase for my MIL when she moved into her independent living apartment. It tucked nicely into a room and didn’t take up a lot of space. It housed a lot of stuff too, more than you would think.
Shop for Bookshelves and Etageres
Below you can find all these I mentioned above as well as many more. Isn’t it time you added an interesting bookshelf or etagere in your home?
