If you’re an avid reader, you might be looking for ways to step up your at-home library. Whether you have hundreds of titles, a few solid selections, or organize your reads by colour, genre, or author last name, there are unique options for you! For all the bookworms out there, we made a list of creative book shelving solutions that can transform your apartment.
Wooden Crate Bookshelf
Adding a rustic touch to your apartment couldn’t be easier. Wooden crates are easy to find and come with a reasonable price tag. You can execute this creative bookshelf solution in different ways. If your apartment allows, fasten smaller crates to the wall in a fun geometric pattern. Alternatively, build a standing bookshelf by stacking and connecting them with screws. For an added layer to this DIY masterpiece, paint the wood to match your style — whether you want a finishing stain, monochrome accents, or bold colours.
Multi-Purpose Bookshelf
Make your favourite titles the star of the show! A large standing bookshelf with open faces on both sides can be a practical room divider. Whether you have a studio and need to separate your bed from the kitchen or want to add depth to your living room, this technique can showcase your reads while making your space feel bigger. Open faces on both sides of the shelf allow light to flow through to create a sense of airiness.
Wall-Mounted Floating Shelves
This classic bookshelf solution has many creative variations. If you’re a DIY enthusiast, this is an easy build with wooden planks, L-brackets, screws, and touches of paint to complement your interior design taste. Alternatively, there are many floating shelves for sale online or at home decor stores. One neat version is the Conceal bookshelf. It’s an L-shaped accessory that screws into the wall and holds a small stack of titles that make the shelf invisible.
Floating shelves can transform your apartment in many ways. They’re a practical technique to free up floor space. They can also make your ceiling look higher if you place them strategically above your line of sight. When people visit, these shelves will draw their eyes upward, creating the illusion of a bigger room.
Repurpose Old Furniture
One of the most creative ways to display your favourite reads is to create a bookshelf out of furniture initially meant for another purpose. If you have old dressers, chests, or wardrobes, instead of throwing them out, get out your toolbox and work away. You can take the doors off, sand, paint, polish the piece, and tuck your books inside. Not only is this a unique way to spruce up your apartment, but it’s also an environmentally-conscious practice.
If you’re looking for an apartment and thinking about how you can make all your favourite reads a statement piece, check out our listings at CLV Group and InterRent REIT. We have many options across Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia to suit your needs as a renter and a book lover!