Ready made bookcases for a home are very easy to find, the only difficulty you might encounter is choice. There are so many choices that sometimes we no longer know what to think and which to choose. In this article I will give you a glimpse of the different types of bookcases that are available.
There are two broad categories of bookcases, open front and bookcases with doors.
Open front bookcases are often referred to as bookshelves, and in fact that is what they are, with the exception that they are not usually attached to the wall, and not built in. Because they require much less work and materials they are the least expensive type, thus the most popular. They are available in any wood that you might want and while most are modern bookcases, some open front bookcases will fit nicely in any traditional setting, even in rooms with any period decor. Of course if you want authentic period pieces you need to direct your search towards antique dealers, if only the style is your concern then you will find online a reproduction of any style bookcase you want. For example the bookcase below with its opulent detailing and rich finish would fit nicely in a classic home, but it does not carry the high price of an antique. It is available at Amazon. (You can click on the image to learn more.)
The second type of bookcases is the one with doors. Just as doorless bookcases, there is a plethora of choices. There is no doubt that adding doors on a bookcase adds to the cost, however it also ensures a better protection for your books or for the collectibles you might display. Humidity and dust are the enemies of books and if you have valuable books you will want them well protected. Glass doors not only protect books from harmful elements in the air, they also can keep fingers off articles we would rather people just look at and not touch.
Doors on a bookcase can be hinged on top or on the side. When doors open on top of each shelf, it is called a barrister bookcase. Barrister bookcases were designed that way to allow a barrister, who frequently changed chambers, to carry his books still in the case and the top hinge would prevent doors from opening and books spilling. Barrister bookcases are very often thought as traditional in style, but they do not have to be. Today you can find classic barrister bookcases as well as contemporary looking white barrister bookcases.
Sometimes bookcases with glass doors hinged on the side are (in error) called barrister bookcases, so if this is what you are looking for, you might look under that rubric too. This type of bookcase is elegant and as practical for the average home as a true barrister case. They are available in every style you can think of, and every wood that is grown. They tend to be better made than doorless bookcases as manufacturers really want to justify the higher prices, and they are more likely to be bought by mature individuals who have settled tastes and homes.
When you have decided on whether you will choose a bookcase with or without doors, you will then need to make a style and a material choice. As I have already mentioned choices are many. Whether you opt for classic or contemporary you will find the case that fits you and your home decor.
A few words about contemporary bookcases. Like anything else in today's society, technology has changed the way we do things and the way we look at them. Bookcases like any other item have been touched and beautifully so I might add.
You can find contemporary bookcases in any wood you want, oak bookcases are in modern furniture stores next to molded plastic cases, and just around you will see inexpensive pine bookcases, finished or unfinished. Some designers have gone to great lengths to bring you innovative designs that are fun and exciting. If you are furnishing a child's room, you can find bookcases with children motifs that were not possible a few years ago. For example you could find a bookcase made from giant legos. When in doubt for children rooms I like to plan on a white bookcase as it will age better with the child and color can always be changed later, or if you have chosen a wood bookcase in white or a light color you can transform it into a shabby chic bookcase, when a little girl becomes an adolescent who wants white cottage bedroom furniture.
Materials for bookcases are as I have said numerous as well. Wood is still the leading favorite, with oak bookcases, and mahogany bookcases in front of the pack. These woods are so popular because they are dense and durable, They will not warp under the weight of books. Another wood that is suitable and is often found in modern furniture is teak. A teak bookcase would last a life time and would be enjoyed by many generations to come.
There are metal bookcases that are suitable for home use, but they tend to be reminiscent of office furniture, sometimes they are finished with a faux wood and people seem to prefer real wood for their home environment. However you can find some metal wire bookcases that are very attractive in certain situations. Most definitely appropriate to any teenage room, kitchen, sunroom of other non formal decor.
Plastic bookcases will probably not age well, but they are very inexpensive and serve a purpose. Budget conscious people should consider that a low quality item is not always the cheapest to own.
Today bookcases also come in a collapsible model, very convenient for people who still move a lot. Both inexpensive and more notable materials are used to make these folding bookcases, so you should not dismiss them as only temporary use items.
You might also look at corner bookcases, should space be at a premium you can always fit a corner bookcase somewhere.
Lastly when thinking about the right bookcase for you, you will want to think about expansion. As your book collection grows what will you need to accommodate it. If you plan on using stackable bookcases, you will be able to double your book storage and not spend any more floor space. In that case you should buy a 3 tiers bookcase, to be able to add a second one on top, later. If on the other hand you do not think you will need to stack another case, then a 4 tier or even 5 tier bookcase might serve you better.
