Looking for built in bookshelves that make room for more than your book collection? Think window seats, little desk spaces and shelves tucked beneath the stairs.
There’s plenty to choose from here, including a few open shelving alternatives if a full built-in isn’t what you need.
You can keep things simple or fill a whole wall with books. I especially love the reading nooks!
From pale painted shelves to a green library wall, these ideas give you plenty to save for your own space.
Bookshelf Ideas Worth Saving
white shelves around the fireplace
We’re starting off strong with these pretty white shelves framing the fireplace. I love the curved tops and the framed pictures tucked between books and little vases.
Read also: 20 Color Drenched Bedroom Ideas and Colorful Looks to Try
Try mixing your own pictures into the shelves instead of filling every row with books. The gray backing here gives those white edges a little extra definition.
florals and a window seat
How cute is this little reading spot? Pale green shelving runs beside the window and across the top, with a bench tucked underneath.
The floral shade and matching-looking curtain are my favorite details. If you want a similar look, try repeating one floral pattern around your window.
a library ladder and picture lights
I am obsessed with this library wall. The gold-toned ladder and matching picture lights look gorgeous against the pale shelves and dark book spines.
There are little framed pictures and rounded vases mixed in too. Save this one if you like a traditional library look without going dark on the cabinetry.
lit shelves beneath the stairs
Got an awkward space under your staircase? This arrangement follows the slope with smaller openings above a row of white cabinets.
The little lights make even the triangular sections worth looking at.
I love the brown countertop across the bottom. A few leaning pictures beside your books would be a pretty way to follow this styling.
a green library desk
This may just be one of my favorites here. The muted green shelves surround a desk opening, with books overhead and cabinets on either side.
The pair of framed prints above the desk is so pretty. Try matching your storage boxes to the shelving color if you like how neatly the green boxes fit into this display.
books above the bed
Who says your books have to stay in the living room? These cream shelves frame the bed with rows of books and layered pictures above the pillows.
I especially love the brown floral cushions with the darker picture frames. Keep a similar small group of colors if you want your bedroom shelves to feel this understated.
a wall full of books
If you’re looking for shelves that put the books first, this one is for you. Tall rows are packed with colorful spines above pale cabinet doors, with just a few pictures near the bottom.
You don’t have to leave lots of empty space for decorations. I’d keep this one mostly about the books too.
an arched nook with trailing greenery
I love this arched nook with its brown shelves and simple white cabinet doors. The trailing plant is such a pretty detail beside the neatly grouped books.
Read also: 20 Williamsburg Christmas Decor Ideas With Fruit, Greenery and Bows
Try placing a small framed print on the lowest ledge like the one here. It’s a lovely way to mix in something personal without adding lots of little objects.
a tv tucked between books
Don’t want your television to have a whole wall to itself? This white shelving arrangement gives it a smaller opening surrounded by books, pictures and illuminated display spaces.
The books continue right across the top. I love that the framed artwork above the screen gets its own spot too.
shelves over the doorway
Here’s a lighter alternative to full cabinetry. These wall-mounted shelves climb beside the doorway, then continue across the top with another row of books.
The white brackets blend into the wall while the colorful spines stand out. Save this layout if you’re looking for ways to use that narrow strip beside a door.
a triangular book nook
This is such a good use of a sloping space. White shelves follow the diagonal right up to the smallest opening, with books filling almost every section.
I love the patches of blue near the top and the pink and orange spines below. Try loosely grouping your books by color if you want a similar look.
a reading corner with tiny lights
How adorable is this reading corner? Tall white shelves wrap around the chair, with tiny string lights following the upper edges.
The pink tulips and little house decorations are so cute too. If you want to borrow just one detail, try grouping colorful book spines together like the yellow and orange rows on the left.
baskets and a large framed print
Don’t want to fill every shelf with books? No problem! This pale shelving wall mixes shorter rows with baskets, plants and framed pictures.
I love the large tree print in the open middle section. Try one larger picture there rather than lots of small decorations if you want to follow this arrangement.
books beneath the kitchen counter
This kitchen gives the books their own little spot right beneath the counter. The white grid is filled with colorful spines, with a dark countertop above.
If you’re planning kitchen storage, this is a lovely layout to consider on the room-facing side. Your shelves don’t have to reach the ceiling to hold plenty of books.
playroom cubbies and baskets
How cute are these book-and-toy cubbies? This lower shelving unit offers a different option from the full-height built-ins, with baskets along the bottom and picture books displayed above.
I especially love the patterned lampshades and little framed illustrations. Try facing a few favorite book covers outward to bring some of that same color into your display.
a window bench with matching sconces
I am obsessed with this window seat. The shelves frame both sides and continue overhead, with gold-toned rails across the top row.
The matching sconces and gray-and-white pillows are so pretty together. Cabinet doors below the bench leave the side shelves free for books, photographs and a few larger decorations.
Read also: 20 New Heritage Decor Ideas With Florals, Checks and Collected Details
a narrow shelf beside french doors
This is another lovely way to work shelves around a doorway. A narrow white unit sits beside the French doors, with paneled backing and a light above the top basket.
The baskets at the bottom are a detail worth borrowing. Try keeping your smaller loose items in matching bins while leaving the middle shelves for books and pictures.
an open bookshelf divider
Don’t want a solid wall of shelving? This open-backed divider is an alternative to built-ins, with the bed still visible through the shelves.
I love the turquoise vase among the brown vessels and pale book pages. Leave a few sections lightly filled if you want to keep that open look.
long glowing stair shelves
This is another under-stair idea, but it’s a little different from the one above. Long open shelves run almost to the floor, with lines of light beneath each row.
The mix of upright books, short stacks and framed pictures is so pretty. I’d keep some gaps between those groups so you can still see the glow along the back.
fluted trim and pale displays
Last but definitely not least, we have these pale shelves with fluted vertical trim. I love the little lines of light above the white vases and sculptural bowls.
There are only a few books here, so this is one to save if you prefer a display-led look. Try a small stack beside a single favorite object rather than filling each opening.
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.
And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Isabella