How to Buy Bookcases

Tips on buying bookcases

1. Bookcases come in all shapes and sizes. You can buy bookcases that extend all the way to the ceiling, or shorter units that reach waist-high. They can be wide or narrow, with open or closed shelves. Some bookcases even have doors, providing additional protection to keep moisture and dust away from important or rare books.
2. Before you start shopping, decide exactly where to place the bookcases. Measure the space, and take these measurements with you when to go to store to shop to insure the bookcases you select will fit your floor space.
3. Consider the number of books you have and buy enough bookshelves to hold them or store other items, such as photos, vases or collectibles. Visualize different kinds of bookcases in the space.
4. If the room that will house your bookcases does not have much light, and you want to buy closed bookcases, buy those with interior lights. Closed bookcases allow much less light into them and that can make it hard to find the book you are seeking.
5. Also consider your personal style and the decor of the room where the bookcases will be located. If you prefer modern or contemporary furnishings, than sleek open bookcases with metal support legs and laminate or glass shelves may be for you. But if you like a more traditional style, choose oak bookcases or pine bookcases that can be stained or painted to your liking.
6. Consider buying bookcases with adjustable shelving to easily accommodate books of varying sizes.
7. Don’t be fooled by pretty pictures in a catalog. Check the measurements first and features of each.

Where to buy bookcases

You can order bookcases from one of these online retailers—

• FurnitureFind has a great selection of bookcases in modern and traditional styles.

• Home Decorators can have your books sitting pretty in no time at all. Shop by material, style and room.

Ikea specializes in contemporary bookcase design.