A beautiful, solid wood bookcase doesn’t have to be limited to a home office. With numerous shapes, sizes, and features available today, a bookcase can bring storage, style, and organization to almost any room in the home. This guide walks you through the types of bookcases, what to measure, key features to consider, and how to choose one that suits your space and style.

Start With Measurements.

Before browsing designs, grab a tape measure and note the width, depth, and height of your available space. You want a bookcase that is enough to be useful, but not so big that it overwhelms the room.

• Most shelves: around 12 inches deep
• Deeper shelves: great for oversized books, baskets, or décor
• Height: tall bookcases add vertical storage; short bookcases double as display surfaces

The Amish Wood Grove Mission Double Bookcase (72″) is an excellent example of a high-impact bookcase that could overpower a small room, so measuring ahead of time is essential.

Also, measure the items you intend to store. Thick textbooks, binders, photo albums, and baskets may require deeper or adjustable shelves.

Consider What You Want to Display

Bookcases aren’t just for books. Think about what you’ll use it for:

Extensive library

Choose a durable bookcase with sturdy, weight-bearing shelves.

Mixed décor + books

Adjustable shelves offer flexibility for tall vases, photos, and décor.

Light displays

A short bookcase may be perfect—offering storage below and display space on top.

Choosing the Right Bookcase Design

Bookcases come in countless sizes and silhouettes, from simple and traditional to bold and contemporary. Choose one that complements the room where it will live, a bedroom nook, kids’ room, living room, or whole home office.

• Wide bookcases: provide more display surface
• Tall bookcases: maximize wall space
• Short bookcases: double as consoles
• Narrow bookcases: fit small corners

Style, Function, or Both?

Think about the role your bookcase will play.

Function-first

If it will hold heavy books, choose a bookcase with solid hardwood shelves and strong joinery.

Style-first

For rooms where the bookcase plays a supporting decorative role, design might matter more than storage capacity.

Flexibility

Adjustable shelves, doors, or drawers can add versatility, especially in multipurpose rooms.

If your bookcase is a piece that helps balance the room and will only be used to display a few decorative items, you can rely more on its style and appearance rather than its function.

Wood vs. Other Materials

Wood remains the top choice for a long-lasting bookcase. Quality hardwood:

• Supports heavy loads
• Ages beautifully
• Can be refinished or customized
• Is more eco-friendly than synthetic materials
• Lasts for generations

Particleboard and MDF may cost less upfront, but they sag under weight and wear out quickly. Metal bookcases offer a sleek look, while glass shelves should be used carefully with lightweight décor only.

Open vs. Closed Shelves

Open Shelving

• Offers quick access
• Great for displaying décor
• Requires more frequent dusting

Closed Shelving

• Keeps items protected
• Ideal for children’s spaces
• Creates a clean, clutter-free look

Some bookcases combine open and closed sections for the best of both worlds.

Bookcases with doors help protect items from dust as well as curious children. Added drawers provide added function and convenience for storing and organizing small items.

Custom Bookcases

Part of the fun of investing in a wood bookcase, particularly one made in Amish country, is the ability to customize. Amish-made wood bookcases are crafted from a choice of wood and finished in a selection of stains. They can also be painted, depending on the type of wood chosen. They can also be distressed to create a rustic, farmhouse look. They’re available in a variety of heights and widths, many with adjustable shelves. Many offer the option to add doors. They come in all kinds of styles, and they’re better for the environment than those made with plastic or lesser materials that will end up in a landfill in a few years.

Consider Budget

The material you select will depend on your budget. Cost will also depend on the size of bookcase you’re looking for. While wood bookcases will cost more, they will last longer and won’t end up in a landfill like those made of lesser materials often do.

Types of Bookcases

There are many different types of bookcases, and their features and functions can help you decide which best fits your needs.

Vertical Bookcases

Vertical bookcases stack the shelves and are good for small rooms. They utilize vertical space efficiently without occupying excessive floor area. They are often freestanding and placed against a wall.

Horizontal Bookcases

Horizontal bookcases are well-suited for larger rooms, as they occupy more floor space. They might have fewer shelves, but they’re longer and can provide plenty of room. They are often freestanding and placed against a wall.

Corner Bookcases

Corner bookcases are triangular or half-circle shaped and fit snugly in a corner. They are ideal for small spaces, and some designs have additional drawers.

Geometric

These bookcases come in fun shapes. They easily add to décor and often complement more modern style rooms.  

Barrister

A barrister bookcase (so named as they were initially designed to hold law books for barristers) offers a more formal style of bookcase. Their unique style presents as more of a cabinet-like case. Here you’ll find some glass utilized in some models on the doors. Barrister bookcases were built to protect what’s inside. Each shelf has a unique door that opens out and upward. They are good for protecting books from dust and debris.

Bookcase Styles

Traditional

Contemporary

Rustic

Farmhouse

Mission

FAQs About Types of Bookcases

Final Thoughts

A solid wood bookcase is a long-term investment, serving as a focal point, an organizing tool, and a durable heirloom. Whether you need vertical storage, a decorative piece, or a combination of open and closed shelving, solid wood bookcases provide beauty, strength, and lasting value.

Select a style that complements your home, meets your storage requirements, and brings warmth to your space. Whatever type of bookcase you select, you’ll enjoy the craftsmanship and dependability that solid wood brings to your home for years to come.

Related Posts

Barrister Bookcase Backstory

The barrister bookcase was born out of necessity. Barristers, or lawyers that specialize in case law and represent clients in Read more

5 Ways to Organize your Living Room with a Bookcase

How's your living room feeling this spring? Light? Tidy? Primed & ready for swarms of summer visitors? If your answers Read more