How to Choose a Bookcase or Shelving Unit
Shelving is the furniture category where people most consistently underestimate how much they need and overestimate how tidy they'll keep it. Most households end up with either too little (everything stacked in corners) or too much (a wall of shelving that makes the room feel like a storage unit).
Getting the decision right comes down to three things: what you're storing, where it's going, and what you want it to look like. Here's how to work through each.
1. Know what you're actually storing
This sounds obvious, but most people skip it. Before choosing a bookcase, take a rough inventory of what needs to go on it: books, obviously, but also ornaments, baskets, boxes, media equipment, children's toys, files, records. The mix determines what kind of shelving actually works.
Adjustable shelves give you flexibility as storage needs change. Fixed shelves are usually sturdier and better for heavy loads like books. Deep shelves (40cm or more) suit storage boxes and decorative objects; shallow shelves (25-30cm) are fine for paperbacks and smaller items but awkward for anything bulky.
How deep should a bookcase be?
Standard bookcases run between 25cm and 35cm deep, which suits most paperbacks and hardbacks. If you're storing oversized art books, board games, or storage boxes, look for something at least 35cm deep. Going too deep on a standard bookcase means items at the back become invisible and forgotten.
2. Decide: freestanding or built-in
The question people agonise over most, and the answer is usually: freestanding, unless you're certain you're staying.
Built-in shelving looks integrated and uses awkward spaces (alcoves, recesses, under stairs) well. But it's expensive, takes time, and leaves a gap in the wall if you move. Freestanding units can be repositioned, taken with you, and replaced without a builder.
That said, freestanding shelving in an alcove reads almost as well as built-in if the unit fits the recess closely. Choose a unit that's close to the alcove width and paint it the same colour as the surrounding wall for a near-identical effect at a fraction of the cost.
Is built-in shelving worth it?
If you own your home and plan to stay for several years, yes. Built-in storage adds perceived value to a room and makes use of spaces freestanding units can't. If you're renting or likely to move, freestanding shelving gives you the same storage with none of the commitment.
3. Work out the right height
Bookcase height falls into three broad categories, each with different implications for the room.
Low shelving (up to about 90cm) doubles as a surface, works well under windows, and keeps sightlines open in smaller rooms. It's the most flexible option in terms of room layout.
Mid-height shelving (90-150cm) is the most common choice: substantial enough to hold a real amount of storage without dominating the room. It reads as furniture rather than architecture.
Floor-to-ceiling shelving makes the most of vertical space and works well in rooms with high ceilings or significant book collections. It requires a confident approach: a wall of shelving reads as a statement, so the styling needs to match the ambition.
Will tall shelving make a small room feel smaller?
Not necessarily. In a narrow room, floor-to-ceiling shelving on one wall can actually draw the eye upward and make the room feel taller. The issue is usually width rather than height: a wall of shelving across the full width of a small room is too much; shelving on one wall in a small room can work well. In the bedroom, pairing a floor-to-ceiling bookcase with a wardrobe on the same wall creates a cohesive storage run rather than two competing pieces.
4. Open vs closed storage
Open shelving is the dominant look right now: flexible, easy to access, good for displaying books and objects together. The downside is that it requires maintenance. Dust accumulates, clutter is visible, and the room looks as good or as bad as whatever's on the shelves.
Closed storage (doors, drawers, or a combination) hides the mess, requires less styling effort, and is a better choice anywhere that accumulates items you don't particularly want on display. A unit that combines open shelves with closed lower sections gives you the best of both.
A TV unit applies this principle to media storage: open shelving for display above, closed cabinets for equipment below. Worth considering if the shelving is primarily going in a room where a screen is the focal point.
How do I keep open shelving looking tidy?
The simplest approach: group books by colour or size rather than trying to arrange them perfectly, use a few decorative objects to break up the rows, and leave some deliberate empty space. Shelving that's packed solid reads as storage; shelving with breathing room reads as a design decision.
5. Consider the weight
Shelving carries more weight than most people expect, and the material it's made from matters. Solid wood and metal frames are significantly stronger than MDF or particle board alternatives. If you're planning to shelve a serious book collection, prioritise sturdier construction.
Equally important: how the unit is secured. A tall freestanding bookcase full of books is top-heavy and should be fixed to the wall. Most units come with the fittings to do this, and it's a five-minute job that's genuinely worth doing.
6. Style and material
Shelving isn't invisible. It occupies wall space and contributes to the feel of the room, so the material and finish should work with the rest of the furniture rather than against it.
Natural wood tones (oak, walnut, pine) work across a wide range of interior styles and tend to age better than painted finishes. Painted or lacquered shelving in white or off-white is the most neutral choice and suits contemporary interiors. Dark-stained wood or black metal frames make a stronger statement and suit spaces that can absorb the visual weight.
If your shelving is going in a living room, consider how it relates to your sofa and coffee table: a warm-toned oak bookcase alongside a grey sofa often works better than a cold-toned unit that sits slightly at odds with the rest of the room.
How many shelves do I need?
A decent starting point is: more than you think. Most people underestimate by one shelf and end up overloading what they have. If in doubt, choose a unit with adjustable shelves so you can add or remove them as your storage needs change.
The short version
Measure the space, inventory what you're storing, and decide whether freestanding or built-in makes more sense for your situation. Get the material right for the weight you're planning to put on it, and don't be afraid of going taller: vertical space is the most underused resource in most rooms.
Related reading
5 Ideas for Styling Living Room Shelves
