Interiors

16 Built-In Bookcases For Every Size + Style Of Room

A person’s bookshelf often serves as a window into their personal character and style  — some may display an extensive book collection proudly across a floor-to-ceiling wall of shelving, while others might fill their shelves with various sentimental knick-knacks, art, and photos capturing special memories.

No matter how you style it, we love the versatility a built-in bookshelf provides; be it for space-saving in a smaller home, or even a room divider for a bigger space, it’s an easy way to create storage that’s both functional and stylish.

Below, we’ve pulled together some of our favourite built-in shelves featured on TDF over the past few years!

Written
by
Emily Holgate

Kate Ryan and Dave Bonighton’s Mornington Peninsula home. Oblica Shaker fireplace. Jardan Lemmy sofa. Great Dane Furniture rug. Coffee table from Grandfather’s Axe. Photo – Eve Wilson. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli.

Elissa Roubustelli’s Melbourne home. Cabinetry by Elissa’s dad and Verna.  Items top left to right: Bowl by Stelli Studios. Bookend vase by Urban Outfitters. Bells from an op-shop. Ceramic bowl from an op-shop. Woven basket from an op-shop. Doll handbag from an op-shop. Pear artwork by Stelli Studios. Timber sculpture from an op-shop. Arch ceramic vase by Tantri Mustika Ceramics. Bird head from Douglas and Hope. Small portrait by Jai Vasicek. Tiny violin from Facebook Marketplace. Bookend vase by Urban Outfitters. Orange ceramic bowl with legs from an op-shop. Limestone sculpture by Neighbourhood Studio. Oval art from an op-shop. Abstract artwork by Stelli Studios. Speaker by JukeCase. Vinyl by Orcha. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Mandy Wilton’s South Yarra home. Powder coated steel laddy made by Jason Blake. Le Corbusier LC2 sofas. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Mandy Wilton’s South Yarra home. &Tradition Flowerpot VP3 table lamp. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Sean Fennessy and Jessica Lillico’s Warrandyte home. Open timber shelving designed by Adriana Hanna divides the living area. Photo – Sean Fennessy.

Sean Fennessy and Jessica Lillico’s Warrandyte home. Illum Wikkelsø ‘IW3’ Rocking Chair from Nord. Custom dining table by Fomu. Razor back dining chairs by Henning Kjærnulf from CCSS. Custom shelving designecd by Adriana Hanna. Photo – Sean Fennessy.

Adam and Laurine Lee’s log cabin home. Watercolour on left by Adam Lee. Artwork on right by Michael Vale. Jardan Andy sofa, August coffee tableBam Bam Rug Coral, and Lake chair. Mud Australia vase. Bonnie and Neil cushion. Bookshelves made by Adam. Vintage stool. Antique French Majolica vases. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Sahara and Myah Trebilcock’s Red Hill home. Artwork by Sahara Trebilcock. Japanese Kokeshi dolls bought from the local Red Hill op shop. New Works Kizu Portable Table Lamp. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Sahara and Myah Trebilcock’s Red Hill home. Vintage Country Road couches reupholstered in textiles from Warwick FabricsTS Makers Pillar Side TableCitta Cabin Linen Cushion CoverFreedom rug. Ferm Living Lump Vase. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

 Jordy van den Nieuwendijk and Kate Isobel Scott Fitzroy rental. Wooden works on beam by Alex Booker. Two square works on wall by Sally M Nangala Mulda. Cardboard cutout on wall by Klaas Gubbels. 1960s oak cabinet upstairs by Thygesen & Sorensen. Hand embroidered pillow by Kate Isobel Scott. Tonga stool from Pan After. Table Lamp #1 by Nicole Lawrence Studio x Seb Brown. Pan After basket. Green chair from CCSS Melbourne. Niels Eilersen ‘Arizona’ Sofa by Jens Juul Eilersen. Pillow on sofa by India Mahdavi. Upper yellow artwork on wall by Martin Lukáč. Lower yellow artwork on wall by Gijsje Heemskerk. Raffia Donut Stool by Pan After.  Le Feu De L’Eau Chartreuse candle. Photography – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Andrew Jaques and Christina Chiodo’s Hawthorn home. Photographic artwork by Huang Yan. Black marble Tulip dining table. Danish ’60s pendant brass dining lamp bought from eBay. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Andrew Jaques and Christina Chiodo’s Hawthorn home. Refurbished Ligne Roset Togo sofa in cognac leather. Custom light designed by The Flaming Beacon. Coloured glassware made by Amanda Dziedzic. Mirror faces by Cole Italia. Commissioned artwork by Bec Smith. Custom rug from The Rug Collection. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Catherine Spillane’s Anglesea home. The blackbutt shelving was built by Drew, who works as a carpenter. Photography – Nikole Ramsay for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Catherine Spillane’s Anglesea home. Top shelf (left to right): Tiwi bird totems by Mario Munkara. ‘Stinky’ metal dog by the Warlukurlangu Artists in Yuendumu. Middle shelves (left to right): The antique ceramic vases were a gift from homeowner Catherine’s mum. Beach rope and raffia baskets by Catherine. Red vase by Lucy Tolan. Totems by Catherine Spillane. Photography – Nikole Ramsay for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Lauren Bruce and Hannah McNeill’s Fitzroy apartment. Armchair from Tessa Furniture. Built-in sofa with custom-made sofa cushions. Custom plywood shelving by Like Butter. Coffee table made by homeowner Hannah McNeill. 1970s Yamaha audio equipment. Encel amplifier.  Black and white vase by Patrick Dagg. Cream ceramic building block set by Oh Hey Grace. The Frame TV by Samsung. Photography – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Sasha Gattermayr and Zeb Nicholls’ Melbourne apartment. Shelves made by Zeb and his dad using Plyco plywood. Akari light. Maker&Son couch. Photography – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Sally Smith’s Mornington home. Jardan armchair and ottoman. Mark Tuckey coffee table. Mia Taninaka artwork on wall. James Needham artwork on shelf. Amy Leeworthy ceramics. Dulux Natural White paint on walls and ceiling. GlobeWest sofa. Woodcut Pale Oak floors. Photography – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Maddy Maeve Dawe’s Castlemaine farmhouse. The lounge was previously painted maroon and very dark. ‘We tried to brighten it up by painting the walls and ceilings,’ says Maddy. Artwork by Greg WoodLe Klint ceiling lamp. Photographic print behind couch ‘Sanremo’ by Maddy Maeve DawePhotography – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Alex Johnson and Joel Taylor’s Northern Beaches apartment. Photographic print and clay house made by friends. Joinery and timber screens custom designed and made by Taylor Made. Vintage tub chair bought from Curated Spaces. Photo – Amelia Stanwix. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli.

Mark Coombes’ St Kilda home. Painting on right by Minnie Pwerle. Painting on left ‘The Creek #5’ (2022) by Julian Meagher via Ames Yavuz. Original Eames dining table circa 1963. Eames metal and walnut dining chairs. Missoni cushions. Custom-built bookshelves and bench seating with storage. Vessel by Clarice Cliff. Stack of paper mache goats bought in Mexico. Vase by Marc Pascal. Vase by Jonathan Adler. Rabbit sculpture by Paul Smith. Visionaire x Kidrobot toys. George Jenson candelabra. George Nelson Saucer Bubble Pendant. Floorboards painted Porter’s Paints Snow White. Photography – Eve Wilson for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Writer
Emily Holgate
2nd of August 2024

Whether it’s up high or down low, a full feature wall or just a portion of it, there’s nothing quite like the visual appeal of built-in shelving and the never-ending styling opportunities that come with it.

If you’re looking to make a bookcase the central feature of your home, deck out an entire wall with floor-to-ceiling shelving — you could even opt for a design like the beautiful timber bookcase featured in Mandy Wilton’s home (powder coated steel ladder and all!).

Otherwise, floating shelves above built-in cabinetry are great for functionality and saving on space.

You could also opt for a singular bookshelf along a wall, or even use it as a room divider — ideal for a studio apartment or large, open-plan living area, like the one seen above in Sean Fennessy and Jessica Lillico’s Warrandyte pad.

Another easy way to make the most of space in a smaller home is by adding shelving to any dead spaces you may have (like the side of a fireplace, for example — see the one artist Jordy van den Nieuwendijk built for his Fitzroy rental above).

As for design, we love the uniformity of classic symmetrical shelves. In saying that, there’s also a unique quality in contrasting shelf sizes — you might have a smaller shelf just for books, and a taller one for things like vases and other precious knick knacks.

If your living room is centred around the television, there are plenty of options out there for built-in shelving that also doubles as an entertainment unit, with a carved-out section specifically for a TV.

Whatever you choose though, the true character of any bookshelf really comes down to how it’s styled.

The most obvious choice for bookworms is to show off a collection and fill every shelf with tomes!

Or, incorporate a mix of both books and objects — balance is key for this style, so we’d recommend stacking books both vertically and horizontally, and pairing items together at varying heights.

Artwork is also a gorgeous way to add life and texture to your shelving, while lamps — particularly cordless, portable ones — add a lovely soft glow. Don’t forget a bit of negative space for balance, too. You don’t want it to look overcrowded!

The best thing about styling a bookshelf is that it’s always a work-in-progress, and you can change it up whenever you please or when you find new items that take your fancy.

If built-in shelving isn’t an option for you, check out our round-up of 14 great shelving units!

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