The 20 Best Bookshelves for Any Room and Budget

They say a house without books is not a home—so it’s important books get their rightful spotlight. Bookshelves offer a place to display and store your favorite titles, but they can also make a big, bold design statement. Your trinkets, decor, plants, and more will finally have a happy home.

Before you buy a bookshelf, take note of its materials, which can make a big difference in quality. MDF or particle board is more affordable but prone to breakage, and solid wood is always a long-lasting choice, though it costs more upfront.

Pick a piece made of high-quality materials like oak or metal—these are longer-lasting and can hold more weight. Not sure where to start? We’ve found the best bookshelves for any room or budget, assessing durability, style, ease of organization, and cool storage features.

Our Editors' Favorites

Some bookshelves have stood the test of time for our editors, holding everything from novels to cookbooks to plants. One of those is the ever-famous, easy-to-assemble IKEA Billy Bookcase. Our editor is so surprised at how long the bookshelves held up—5 years now!—and loves the adjustable shelves that flex based on her growing fantasy collection.

Another favorite is the Songmics Home Open Bookshelf, a petite piece that can hold over 100 books—our editor is a lifelong reader with a huge collection, and this particular shelf has held up for 10 years and counting.

Peruse these and some other stylish options below—we're certain they will complement your ever-growing collection of books.

IKEA Billy Bookcase

$69 at Ikea

Vasagle Bookshelf

$57 at Amazon

IKEA BRIMNES Bookcase

$129 at Ikea

AllModern Eldorado Standard Etagere Bookcase

$599 at Allmodern.com

Best Floating Bookshelves

The Container Store Floating Bookshelf Anthracite

$250 at The Container Store

For those investing in a bookshelf for book purposes only and no decor, consider a floating bookshelf like this one from the Container Store. This shelf type doesn't have extra space for trinkets and vases, but its slim design structure is perfect for those tight on space. And the illusion of floating books is a cool design element we’ll never get over.

The Anthracite Floating Bookshelf has 10 shelves, but offers enough support to hold up to 50 stacked books. And there’s no need to limit yourself to light chapter books. We love that this bookcase is made of steel and constructed with a weighted base for extra durability. So feel free to add your hardcover textbooks and more.

_{Dimensions: 13.75 x 13.75 x 60 inches | Materials: Steel | Number of Shelves: 10 | Weight Capacity: 50 books}

IKEA Wall Shelf Unit

$100 at Ikea

Loon Peak Floating Shelf

$136 at Wayfair

Best Modern Design

Yoobure Tree Bookshelf

$50 $40 at Amazon

For a more unique design, the Yoobure Tree Bookshelf works wonders. We love that the books can be set in a criss-cross fashion across the “branches” of the bookcase, making for an elegant display. There is also a bottom compartment where you can place books in a normal upright position, or place plants and trinkets on top. 

We also appreciate the narrow design, as it makes the bookcase easy to tuck into small spaces and corners. For extra security, there are anti-tip straps that can be secured to the wall—great for households with kids or pets. One note: Because the compartments are slanted, it’s not as easy to display items that aren’t books.

_{Dimensions: 15 x 8 x 45 inches | Materials: Wood | Number of shelves: 6 | Weight Capacity: N/A  (5-10 books per shelf)}

Yitahome 5-Tier Bookshelf

$92 at Amazon

Anthropologie Fern Bookcase

$1,898 at Anthropologie

Best for Kids' Rooms

West Elm Mid-Century Toy Dump with Bookrack

$399 at West Elm

This West Elm 2-in-1 bookrack and toy organizer is the perfect bookshelf and picker-upper for your kiddo’s bedroom or play area. The multi-purpose bookshelf is durably constructed from acacia wood veneer and solid eucalyptus wooden legs. And just when you thought it couldn’t get more kid-friendly, it does. This bookshelf is also coated with a child-safe, water-based finish.

While it is designed with children in mind, it’s still a quality piece of furniture. We love the bookshelf’s tapered legs and angular base. These design touches are what gives it its mid-century vintage charm. This storage piece features a book rack up top with three streamlined shelves and an opened cubby-like bottom half that’s spacious enough to store more books and toys. 

_{Dimensions: 33 x 13.5 x 29.5 inches | Materials: Engineered wood, acacia veneer, solid eucalyptus wood  | Number of Shelves: Three shelves and one cubby | Weight Capacity: Not listed}

West Elm Bookcase

$229 at West Elm

Latitude Run Standard Bookcase

$66 at Wayfair

Best Wall Bookshelves

Article Stark 25" Narrow 3-Tier Oak Shelf

View on Article.com

Wall bookshelves are great for those with a smaller book collection. This three-tier Article bookshelf is supported with powder-coated steel brackets, solid rubberwood, and oak veneer. There’s enough durability to hold up to 44 pounds. 

The best part about wall bookshelves is that you don’t have to worry about floor space. They’re a great option for small apartment living or an office space. This Article bookshelf will look great on a kitchen wall, displaying your favorite cookbooks and small trinkets. 

_{Dimensions: 9 x 25 x 32 inches | Materials: Powder-coated steel brackets, solid rubberwood, oak veneer | Number of Shelves: 2 or 3 | Weight Capacity: 44 pounds}

Nathan James Wall Bookshelf

$119 at Amazon

Ballard Designs Lauren Bookshelf

View on Ballard Designs

Best Corner Bookshelves

Ebern Designs Wood Grain Nyajiah Corner Bookcase

$164 at Wayfair

For small and large spaces alike, the Ebern Designs Wood Grain Nyajiah Corner Bookcase is a sure bet. Set in an L-shaped design, we love that it’s made to tuck into a corner. The oaky finish and clean-lined compartments make it easy to meld with any furnishings you already have on hand. Plus, we like that it offers an earthy, elegant feel. 

We also appreciate that the shelves have ample weight capacity, with each able to hold up to 60 pounds. One note is that the structure is made entirely of manufactured wood, making it potentially more prone to chips or breakage.

_{Dimensions: 65 x 24 x 24 inches | Materials: Manufactured wood | Number of shelves: 6 | Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.}

Pottery Barn Corner Bookcase

$1,258 at Pottery Barn

Latitude Run Corner Bookcase

$90 at Wayfair

How We Picked the Bookshelves

We shortlisted these bookcases based on their storage capabilities, durability, and style. The best bookcases, in our experience, are those that offer ample storage space for libraries of various sizes, as well as the strength and durable materials to hold those books for months and years.

Many of the bookcases were selected for their ability to stow heavy items, work in various spaces, and maintain a solid construction. Others were selected for their style and size, particularly for smaller homes or apartments. 

We also considered the design of each bookcase. While many are straightforward, simple, and put function first, we also highlighted some that are eye-catching and stylish. While often pricier choices, these bookcases are a stylish addition to any home.

What to Look for in a Bookshelf

Choose Durable and Stylish Materials

Bookcases should be made of durable materials since they carry hefty weight. Solid wood is generally considered the sturdiest option—and often has beautiful natural grains and swirls (like our best for kids' rooms, the West Elm Mid-Century Toy Dump with Bookrack, and our wall bookshelf option, the Article Stark Narrow 3-Tier Shelf).

However, more affordable options like particle board or MDF can be fortified through metal supports, like the Container Store’s Floating Bookshelf Anthracite (one of our best floating picks).

Opt for Solid Per-Shelf Weight Capacity 

You expect a bookshelf to last over time, especially if it’s holding a lot of weight. But you don’t want to simply look at the overall weight capacity; you'll also need to consider how much weight each individual shelf can support.

Bookcase shelves can bow over time (or worse, crack and fail) under the weight of heavy hardcover titles or stacks of paperbacks. On average, a bookcase will hold anywhere from 25 to 50 pounds per shelf.

If you’re using your piece to store heavy books, a unit like the Ebern Designs Nyajiah Corner Bookcase is a sure bet, since it can hold up to 300 pounds. If you’re using your bookcase to display lighter trinkets and decor, a lower per-shelf capacity works fine. 

Consider Overall Size 

The size of your bookcase should complement the size of the space and its surrounding furnishings. “You'll want to allow the bookcase to integrate into the room, not take up too much space,” says interior designer Shelley James. Sometimes more traditional-style bookcases can be overbearing, especially [for] smaller spaces, she says.

A corner bookcase like the Ebern Designs Wood Grain Nyajiah Corner Bookcase can act as an apt solution, as it takes up less floor space. However, if you have a larger space, like an open living room, you can find long bookcases to sprawl against a wall and act as a display, like the Yitahome 5-Tier Bookshelf, one of our favorite modern design picks.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Kenedee Fowler is a writer for The Spruce, specializing in everything home-related, including laundry care, bedding, and furniture. Fowler uses the shelf from her media console and a few decor items to hold up a few of her favorite reads.

She researched over a dozen standout bookshelves for this guide and evaluated their durability, material, storage capabilities, and design.