Wood Bookcases & Bookshelves

Wood bookcases are a timeless addition to your home office. Today’s wooden bookshelves come in a variety of trendy designs, like floor-to-ceiling ladder shelves, and popular materials, like reclaimed wood and industrial remnants. Here’s how to choose a bookcase that’s right for your space. 

Solid Wood vs. Composite 

For heavy items like reference books or college texts, it's best to buy solid wood bookcases. These not only support more weight, but they also last longer. Always check the manufacturer's weight limits. 

For lighter items, like decorative pieces or standard books, composite or bamboo bookcases work well. These types of bookcases are generally less expensive than a real wood bookcase. They’re also much easier to move from room to room or house to house. 

Size and Color 

Choose a wooden bookcase that will hold your belongings without overwhelming your space: 

• To display your books and magazines as art, select a leaning shelf bookcase. Its airy feel is perfect for smaller rooms or minimalist decor styles.
• For a family room with lots of games or toys, go with a bookshelf with drawers or cabinets.
• Tall wooden shelves are perfect for tight or narrow rooms because they make use of vertical space. Just be sure to secure them to the wall for safety.
• For rooms with empty walls to fill, choose horizontal wooden bookshelves. Wood can give a room a warmer feel, which is great for kids’ rooms or dens.

For a classic look, choose traditional cherry wood or oak bookcases. For a more modern look, try wood bookshelves in mango wood or ash. Open-back bookcases or farmhouse styles with a sandblasted finish, antique gray tones or frosted glass doors add visual interest to any wood color you choose. Or go with an unfinished wood bookcase—its rustic look is on trend.

Choose a color that complements the rest of the furniture in your home. A good rule of thumb is to have at least two pieces of the same wood tone in one room.