65 Bookshelf Decor Ideas to Organize Your Books in Style

Last updated on October 24, 2023

Looking to reorganize your books but want to do it in style? Here are 65 inspiring bookshelf decor ideas to get your creative juice flowing.

We all keep books at home (well, most of us anyway), and not only do we read them, but we also keep them for decor value as well. Bookshelves organized the right way can be the focal point of a room that you’ve been looking for.

With that in mind, we’ve selected some of the most inspiring bookshelf decor ideas to get your creative juice flowing.

From stylish but straightforward bookshelves to original and extravagant displays of books that can make just about any bookworm jealous.

Here are over 60 pictures for you to study before reorganizing your books. And if that’s not enough, get inspired by the creative bookshelf alternatives.

Multiple styles are covered in this list, from modern to traditional, to rustic and farmhouse, so there’s everything for all kinds of likes.

(Psst… You can choose some of the best bookshelves here. And you can build your DIY bookshelves for even more decor value as well!)

Hallway Bookshelf Paradise

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You have to see this  decor idea with white hardwood shelves and top-shelf space for ornaments. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

This majestic bookshelf expands takes up an entire wall and continues just beneath the stairs. It also offers plenty of book space along with extra shelf room for various decorations.

Wall Mounted Bookshelves

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wall mounted bookshelves

Wall-mounted bookshelves provide a minimalist aesthetic look to any space. They are irreplaceable in a home office, but they can add beautiful storage and display space in a living room. The fact that they only use empty wall space (which is often unused) makes them truly functional.

Paint It Blue!

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You have to see this  decor idea with metalic cabinet knobs and open top as an extra decor shelf. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

Using a navy-blue wall color makes this delicate and modernistic bookshelf stand out immensely! Using glass door cabinets, the bookshelf screams of luxury and smart design.

Custom-Made Reading Nook

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You have to see this  decor idea with detached and extra ceiling book shelf and triple gold lights. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

A cool built-in DIY bookshelf is an excellent addition to the all-white walls while allowing enough room for both, books and an elegant sitting area.

Librarian’s Utopia

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You have to see this  decor idea with bookshelf ladder and an oriental carpet. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

Deep dark hardwood patterns work well with this multi-layered bookshelf which exudes class, sass and design built to last!

Corner Bookshelf Idea

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You have to see this  decor idea with all-white modernistic sitting chair and soft pink reading table. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

Make good use of your room’s corners and design an all-white vertical bookshelf with a central white doors cabinet, introducing a lively dynamic to the setting itself.

Incorporated Bookshelf Idea

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You have to see this  decor idea with belo-window sitting bench and single corner bookshelf rack. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

A lovely take on a bookshelf placement and outlook, which uses all hallway walls smartly and combines dark and neutral hardwood elements.

Cozy Bookshelf Design

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You have to see this  decor idea with nearby central window and comfortable sitting armchair. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

Mix and match cream and darker shades, as seen in this great bottom-to-top bookshelf with closed bottom cabinets and plenty of storage and decor space.

Intricately Intelligent Design

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You have to see this  decor idea with grey rectangular shelves and a frontal sitting area. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

To prevent occupying an entire room wall, try designing a shelf collage with exposed edges, no cabinet doors, and plenty of book storage space.

Original and Practical

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You have to see this  decor idea with white hardwood shelves and open wall behind them. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

A beyond-functional detached bookshelf which uses a horizontal and vertical book placement room, while being positioned just below the ceiling to open up space additionally.

Phenomenal Bookshelf Outlook

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You have to see this  decor idea with open hadrwood shelves and a delightful painting inbetween the bookshelf pieces. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

Connect two stories by installing a two-piece bookshelf with medium hardwood shelves and red brick walls.

Clean and Flawless

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You have to see this  decor idea with lower bookshelf cabinets and ceiling LED bookshelf lights. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

This presentable library has two-wall bookshelves made of delicate softwood and office-like design, thus creating a well-used and enjoyable space.

Vast and Illuminating

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You have to see this  decor idea with decorative central bookshelf wall and all-white cabinets. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

A second house story hallways can become a rich bookshelf library by solely using the most prominent carrier wall as a central bookshelf space with lower storage cabinets.

Rustic Bookshelf Delight

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You have to see this  decor idea with contemporary ceiling light system and thick, white hardwood shelves. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

The vintage hardwood floors make a good match for the massive bookshelf with bottom-to-top cabinet outlook and supported by hardwood ceiling bars.

Residential Bookshelf Wall

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You have to see this  decor idea with open white shelves and a thick column-like frame. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

Using a central living room wall for a majestic bookshelf can be a genius idea, especially if you keep the white tones clean and neutral as seen in this incredible setting!

Cool Vibes

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You have to see this  decor idea with built-in wall shelves and closed-doors cabinets. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

A masterful bookshelf which is not unusually tall or massive, but still offers both room and light into the reading room, through its white and narrow structure and lower cabinets.

Vintage Modernism

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You have to see this  decor idea with ceiling-high shelves and glassdoor storage cabinets. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

Combining traditional and modernistic bits, such as this beautiful white bookshelf with open lower cabinets and glass doors, can contribute to creating a dynamic and vibrant space.

Ultra-Elegant Bookshelf

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You have to see this  decor idea with matching office desk and mettalic cabinet doorknobs. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

Introduce a nostalgic note to your reading room, through this hardwood and lacquered bookshelf with individual storage cabinets and a high glassdoor cabinet as well!

Contemporary and Futuristic

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You have to see this  decor idea with connected G-shaped shelves and a staggering leather, red reading armchair. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

The stunning oval wall is illuminated just enough to emphasize the great built-in bookshelf made of white wood and corner-installed shelves.

Vintage Dreams Fulfilled

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You have to see this  decor idea with square box shelves and diagonal book placement. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

This incredible and mind-blowing bookshelf is a hardwood collage of diagonal box-like shelves, which emphasize the dark hardwood table incredibly.

Chic and Captivating

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You have to see this  decor idea with different-size shelves and complementary office desk. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

A dark hardwood bookshelf can serve as a great space separator, connecting two rooms just enough to create an intimate yet approachable scenery.

Colorful Bookshelf Sensation

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You have to see this  decor idea with TV set opening and bottom storage cabinet. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

Mix yellow, orange, blue, and pink hardwood shelves which extend from bottom to top of the wall, thus allowing a bright and cozy space to hang out in.

Secluded, Yet Inspiring

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You have to see this  decor idea with white shelves and minimalistic reading chair. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

Create extra space by creating a wall edge-to-edge shelf which is secluded behind a sliding entrance door.

Real-Life Bookshelf Fantasy

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You have to see this  decor idea with secret door cabinets and open exhibitional shelves. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

Designing a minimalistic bookshelf with only several necessary shelves is entirely possible as seen here! Plus, to add a bit more originality to the bookshelf itself, install it on the hidden wall door.

A Librarian’s Ideal Setting

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You have to see this  decor idea with ivory hadrwood shelves and a plain white ladder. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

Kick things up a notch by creating a half-room wall bookshelf with open square and rectangular shelves and a dramatic central entrance door!

Welcome to Bookshelf Modernism

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You have to see this  decor idea with white hardwood shelves and focal portrait shelf opening. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

This bookshelf wall is a heaven for anyone who has a particular taste for beige shades, elegant decorative details, and an eye for practically used space.

The Ultimate Bookshelf Urge

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You have to see this  decor idea with hanging gold lights and rectangular box-like shelves. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

This one-of-a-kind bookshelf is centered right after a half-round wall, allowing light reflections and shadows to reveal the soft blue shades of the room.

Toy Story’ Vibes

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You have to see this  decor idea with dark hardwood floor and layered, cone-like shelves. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

A playful kids’ room is dragging all attention on to the vertical, single column shelf which is both fashionable and somewhat timely.

Innovative and Open

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You have to see this  decor idea with white hardwood shelves and a traditional library-inspired ladder. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

The blue background wall emphasizes the second-story bookshelf with plenty of books and decorative bits in it, as well as above-door shelves to use the space better.

Symmetrical and Vivacious

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You have to see this  decor idea with cube-like shelves and white hadrwood planks. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

This medium-sized bookshelf is creating intentionally toned-down a bit, to preserve the cheerful atmosphere of the room, while still offering an artistic reading corner.

Beyond Creative and Thoughtful

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You have to see this  decor idea with custom-made box shelves and cream hardwood background. Love it!
Source: www.zillow.com

How to make bookshelf decor pop? Create an atypical bookshelf outlook, such as this world map design, and place it on a vast central wall to give the room some zest.

Bookworm’s Peak

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You have to see this  decor idea with window-wrapped shelves and a traditional wood bookshelf ladder. Love it!
Source: www.zillow.com

This bookshelf is based on a built-in wall and uses dark hardwood shelves to introduce elegance and tradition to the room, without taking away light whatsoever.

Cozy and Dynamic

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You have to see this  decor idea with built-in shelves and a nearby reading window. Love it!
Source: www.zillow.com

A built-in bookshelf much like this one can be a great addition to this all-white bedroom, thus enabling a greater wall usage and a particular play with colors.

Inventive and Layered

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You have to see this  decor idea with different-size shelves and a mettalic shelves frame. Love it!
Source: www.zillow.com

Use your kids’ room space better and place a strategic bookshelf just below the bunk beds stairs, thus introducing playfulness into the room itself.

Intelligent and Intricate

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You have to see this  decor idea with white hardwood and rectangular shelves. Love it!
Source: www.instagram.com

The most straightforward bookshelf design much like this one here can be a great addition to the overall white feel of the room, creating a vibrant and well-used space.

Royal and Ravishing

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You have to see this  decor idea with bottom-shelf storage baskets and matching office desk. Love it!
Source: www.instagram.com

Make the most of your office space, by installing a whole-wall bookshelf with enough storage space, and cleverly selected dark-colored wall.

Let’s Talk About Patterns!

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You have to see this  decor idea with rectangular white box shelves and black, white and red book collections. Love it!
Source: www.instagram.com

The white hardwood bookshelf is beautiful on its own, but what truly makes it stand out are the specially selected black and white books that introduce oriental notes to the design itself.

Old-Fashioned Bookshelf Design

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You have to see this  decor idea with vintage hardwood shelves and a wonderful mettalic nightlamp. Love it!
Source: www.instagram.com

The handmade bookshelf is composed of even box-like shelves and uses its top as an ornamental segment, which accentuates the dynamic central wall.

Minimalistic and Marvelous

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You have to see this  decor idea with a modernistic reading chair and open white backrgound wall. Love it!
Source: www.instagram.com

This well structured and single-piece bookshelf uses light hardwood and open box-inspired shelves which leave out plenty of storage room and add a bit of joy to the setting.

Sophisticated Futurism

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You have to see this  decor idea with matching storage basket and office-like design. Love it!
Source: www.instagram.com

The innovative bookshelf uses atypical metallic wired shelves with installed hardwood shelves which depict a pleasant, yet the urban feel of the room.

Double Bookshelf Design

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You have to see this  decor idea with white, open shelves and bottom storage cabinets. Love it!
Source: www.instagram.com

This bookshelf is a built-in concept that divides the bookshelf itself into two segments, separated by a stellar fireplace wall, thus using the space right.

Refreshing and Regal

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You have to see this  decor idea with hardwood shelves and and built-in concept. Love it!
Source: www.zillow.com

If you are into minimalism, this detached, yet united bookshelf idea will allow you to use a smaller wall to the best of its ability.

Insanely Pleasing To the Eyes

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You have to see this  decor idea with minimalistic librarian ladder and open and closed storage cabinets. Love it!
Source: www.zillow.com

Transforming a plain white wall into an edge-to-edge bookshelf is a brilliant idea to help you expand the storage space into the room and still bring a hint of fun.

Baby Blue Bliss

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You have to see this  decor idea with high hardwood ladder and an extended bottom cabinet segment. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

The soft baby blue ottomans go hand in hand with the grey bookshelf with open boxes of various sizes and bottom storage cabinets to create extra chicness in the room.

Perfect and Mesmerizing

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You have to see this  decor idea with slanted and regular shelves and a central double window. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

This endearing kids’ room is more than appealing, due to the statement red hardwood bookshelf which takes an attic-like shape and uses a fabulous below-window reading bench.

Simple, But Stunning

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You have to see this  decor idea with disconnected shelves, centralized around an iron, vertical bar. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

Don’t overcomplicate a bookshelf design and try introducing a simple and more minimalistic concept such as this fantastic bookshelf made of detached shelves and an iron support column.

Super-Modern and Approachable

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You have to see this  decor idea with paralelogram and triangle shelves and decorative top shelf. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

Be a bit different than the others and install a triangle-shaped bookshelf that contributes to the room itself with a playful design and dark hardwood planks. Masterful!

Adorable and Astonishing

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You have to see this  decor idea with white hardwood shelves and a frontal sitting area. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

A column-like wall can serve as an excellent frame for an all-white bookshelf such as this one, which introduces dynamics and cheers to the room itself without taking up too much space.

Wholesome Perfection

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You have to see this  decor idea with high hardwood shelves and multiple double glassdoors. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

A great idea on how to use a vintage glass door cabinet as a bookshelf space, by allowing a peek into the bookshelf insides and introducing light into the room.

Alluring and Modern

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You have to see this  decor idea with black hardwood bookshelf frame and gold ceiling lights. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

Play with layers, textures, and designs to create a practical bookshelf much like this one. Creating space and allowing storage room never looked so fancy!

Elegant and Elevated

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You have to see this  decor idea with futuristic wall hangers and a balanced shelf space. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

Think creatively and create a beautiful bookshelf which hangs on the second story wall magnificently, incorporating metallic and hardwood elements amazingly.

Homey and Warm

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You have to see this  decor idea with spacious hardwood shelves and a delightful reading area in the front. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

The mellow hardwood elements of this bookshelf create a pleasant surrounding focused on uneven box shelves and a floor-to-ceiling concept.

Free Your Mind, and the Rest Will Follow!

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You have to see this  decor idea with box-inspired shelves and a central entrance door in the middle. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

A brilliant bookshelf idea that uses soft brown hardwood elements, a wall-to-wall hallway installment, and an office-like vibration!

Endless Creativity

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You have to see this  decor idea with vertical and horizontal boards and a slightly asymmetrical placement. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

Dare to be unique and create a zig-zag and slanted bookshelf made of dark hardwood planks and using a tilted outlook to deliver liveliness into the room.

Fancy and Trendy

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You have to see this  decor idea with single shelf rack and column-like outlook. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

Although not significant, this sizzling bookcase is intelligently placed beside the interconnecting door, thus reflecting a more playful setting with plenty of lively colors.

Gorgeous and Intriguing

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You have to see this  decor idea with narrow white box shelves in different sizes. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

A prodigy approach on the traditional below-staircase bookshelf which provides plenty of storage space by using vertical-only box shelves.

Living Room Library

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You have to see this  decor idea with gold bookshelf lights and horizontal shelf outlook. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

Elevate your traditional bookcase and transform it into a massive librarian paradise, offering open box shelves and white shades to allow extra space into the setting.

Secret Bookcase Door

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You have to see this  decor idea made of white hardwood, with crystal bowls and vases at the top. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

Make the most of your space by installing a narrow bookcase onto a secret joint door, which becomes thicker as it extends up to the ceiling.

Beautiful All-Around

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You have to see this  decor idea with cream hardwood planks and above-the-door shelves as well. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

Wrap up an entire room with a strategical bookshelf which uses open cabinets and different shelf boxes to allow improved space management.

Gentle Bookshelf Glory

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You have to see this  decor idea with open library and a great sitting area. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

Use an oval wall to incorporate light and soft bookcase which is attached to the all-white walls and prevents the space from suffocating regarding decor.

Bookshelf Allure

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You have to see this  decor idea with medium hadrwood shelves and top decorative shelf. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

Break up the all-white tones in this room by installing a simplified, yet efficient bookshelf which offers plenty of decorative bits and works well with the blue reading chair.

Castle Bookshelf Vibes

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You have to see this  decor idea with high long, horizontal shelves and a matching office desk. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

This marvelous and staggering hardwood cand custom-made bookshelf is a part of a secret joint door, which creates a mysterious yet enjoyable setting in the office itself.

Stylish and Perky

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You have to see this  decor idea with slanted box shelves and an asymmetrical design. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

A great take on a tiny bookshelf that holds just enough storage room to make the setting look cheerful without taking away from the living room’s design.

Elegance Personified!

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You have to see this  decor idea with horizontal and vertical box shelves and two outdoor window openings. Love it!
Source: www.houzz.com

A slanted outdoor connecting wall can become a gorgeous bookshelf design, with white hardwood shelves and a unique outdoor window in its center.

Here are 20 more wonderful bookshelf designs that make use of books to create a beautiful interior design.

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White Bookshelf

Starting with irregular but straightforward white bookshelf that gives a modern look to the interior design.

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Wall Bookshelf

Speaking of irregular, this bookshelf is an excellent use of space separating the wall.

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Upstairs Library

When you have enough vertical space building a library like this is a bookworm’s dream come true.

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Tower Bookshelf

A freestanding bookshelf tower that can occupy an empty corner.

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Staircase Storage Bookshelf

We’ve published an article on staircase designs recently; this is another one for clever use of staircase storage space.

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Sofa Storage Bookshelf

Compact and creative reading corner.

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Sail Bookshelf

A fantastic bookshelf design in the shape of sails.

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Rounded Bookshelf

Rounded corners make a beautiful modern style.

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Library Bookshelf

Another excellent example of an upstairs library.

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Huge Bookshelf

Just look at the sheer size of this bookshelf – it’s beautiful just because of that.

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Home Office Bookshelf

Simple and beautiful home office bookshelf design.

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USA Map Bookshelf

A bookshelf can take a lot of forms, and this is the USA map shaped bookshelf.

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Tree Bookshelf

Sometimes books grow on trees.

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Tilted Bookshelf

Tilting the shelves is not so much practical as it is beautiful.

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Stacked Bookshelf

An impossible bookshelf.

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Piano Bookshelf

Another great themed bookshelf design.

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Bookshelf Painting

How about hanging paintings against the bookshelf.

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Flower Bookshelf

Combining strict forms and creating wall art.

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Diamond Bookshelf

This bookshelf reminds us of a wine cellar.

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Blue Bookshelf

Turning the entire wall into a bookshelf.

Bookshelf Designs That Are Actual Trees

There aren’t many unique designs, that’s why we can call them unique. Speaking of bookshelves, there is a lot of tree-shaped ones because of, you know, the tree of knowledge, but there is very few that dare to go as far as using real trees for a bookshelf. That’s why we’ve found only five but they are truly unique and inspiring – definitely worth your attention.

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Birch Tree Bookshelf

This bookshelf design is made of real birch tree branches, and it looks very natural.

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Tree Trunk Bookshelf

A tree trunk being used here to “grow books on the tree.”

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Tree Trunk Bookshelf

Another great use of a tree trunk.

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Tree Trunk Bookshelf

This design uses an array of tree trunks to create book shelving.

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Tree Trunk Bookshelf

And a similar design to the previous one only with an extra touch which is remarkable and makes the whole thing come to live with the use of a green plant.

Recap