Bookcases & Shelving

The key to a good-looking bookcase is restraint. Aim for a roughly 60/40 split between books and decorative objects. Alternate vertical stacks with horizontal piles, and punctuate with a plant, a vase, or a framed photograph. Leave some breathing room on each shelf — a shelf that's 70 per cent full looks more curated than one packed to the edges. For a cohesive feel, group books by colour or size rather than alphabetically.

Measure the wall space and the books you need to house before shopping. Standard shelf depth of 25–30 cm accommodates most paperbacks and hardbacks; go to 35–40 cm for art books and display objects. Prices start at £100–£250 for well-made flat-pack units, with solid hardwood and designer bookcases ranging from £400 to £1,500. Always anchor tall bookcases to the wall — it takes ten minutes and prevents the most common furniture-related accidents.