One of the first major pieces of furniture that I bought for my place was a beautiful small bookcase. It completely transformed the space and made it feel like a proper home. Y’know, because all adults have bookcases.
That being said, it can be a real pain to try and find a cute one that will fit seamlessly into the decor, and that has enough space for all the books without taking up the whole room. I’m a total Belle girl with a Cinderella-sized space, so I know the feels here.
Quick Menu:
1. Where to shop
2. How to choose a bookcase
I’ve rounded up a range of places that sell beaut bookcases, so you can make your mini library a reality. I personally have my many, many books in rainbow order, which my boyf totally hates but I think looks incredible TBH.
Anyway — it’s time to get your own bookshelf so you can decorate your own! Scroll down for the best places to bag one…
The best bookshelf stores in 2023
Ready to start shopping? As well as rounding up where to go, I’ve also found some gorgeous bookshelves so you can make your bookworm fantasy a reality ASAP.
The prices below were correct at the time of publishing this article.
1. Walmart
From groceries to great furniture buys, Walmart really does have it all, you guys. It has a ton of budget bookshelf options — look out for its Mainstays range, which has a mix of different styles.
Our favorite Walmart bookshelf picks for 2023:
Size (in.): H70.9 x W31.6 x D11.8
Made from: MDF, steel
Price: $105.99
I love ladder-shelf bookcases, as they’re perfect for decorating and don’t necessarily just have to have books. Matched with the dark metal and wood combo — you’ve got a majorly versatile queen. Put your vinyl player on it and spin T-Swift’s new vault release for all the vibes.
Size (in.): H31.65 x W24.8 x D11.65
Made from: Paperboard
Price: $24.96
OMG, this is just the cutest. If you’ve only got a few books that just need tidying up, this is a really sweet option. It would fit really neatly into a corner, which is handy. For those with small spaces. I could totally see this as a study shelf as well, as it’s just the right size for organizing a desk area.
Size (in.): H70.87 x W14.49 X L30
Made from: Metal
Price: $144
I know you’re an elegant queen, honey. Bring all that bougie-ness into your life with this gold bookcase that is straight out of a fairytale. BTW, the Better Homes and Gardens range at Walmart is a really beautiful line, so I highly recommend having a look if you’re after refined home essentials.
2. Urban Outfitters
When looking for finding decor that’s extra fabulous, you just can’t beat Urban Outfitters. It specializes in pieces that have a Gen-Z edge, that will elevate your space and make it look straight out of your Insta feed.
Our favorite UO bookshelf picks for 2023:
Size (in.): H56.5 x W13 x L30
Made from: Metal
Price: $299
You may have seen the Alana storage console. I have, and I’ve literally wanted it forever. But then I saw this Alana bookshelf and now I’m torn between them. Maybe I’ll get both someday, who knows! The piped shelving is so funky and fresh and is very ‘80s. The vibrant green is def my fave, but it does also come in white, gold, and black.
Size (in.): H25 x W12.5 x L25
Made from: Acrylic
Price: $379
Not got a whole lot of space, but still want to display your books somewhere? I’ve seen acrylic decor all over my TikTok FYP, and it’s so Y2K. It will go with all different kinds of decorations too, thanks to its simplicity. I can see this in a bedroom or in a hallway, as it would really suit having accessories and shoes on it too.
Size (in.): H68.5 x W18 x L35.75
Made from: Oak, MDF
Price: $499
This bookshelf has waves for days. It is such a unique piece and would look seriously eye-catching in any apartment. It is worth bearing in mind that each shelf is made individually, so may look slightly different than the pic — but hey, that makes it even more special, I say.
3. Wayfair
I could spend legit hours going through the Wayfair website. With a whole host of brands, including some celeb ones (I’m talking to you, Kelly Clarkson), it really is an amazing one-stop-shop for furniture pieces — including bookcases.
Our favorite Wayfair bookshelf picks for 2023:
Size (in.): H58.7 x W14.96 x D8.15
Made from: Wood
Price: $83.99
Woah — did somebody call for a tree of books? The sheer amount it holds considering its narrow width is seriously impressive. You could organize the slanted shelves by genre or by color (I’m team color-coordination all the way, baby). Low-key, I’m also super into the small drawer at the bottom, which looks like the best place to store secret snacks.
Size (in.): H70.9 x W23.6 x D19.7
Made from: Metal, wood
Price: $43.99
Ever dreamed of having a bookshelf ladder like Belle in Beauty and the Beast? Same. While you can't wheel around the library in this, you can stack all your books on it, no matter the size. It also won't take up too much space in your living room, while providing ample storage thanks to its four shelves.
Size (in.): H72.2 x W32.7 x D11.9
Made from: Steel
Price: $165.99
Add a modern touch to your living area with this bookcase. The golden arch just gives it that bit more interest than a square top, and looks oh-so-chic too. It comes in either black or gold, so you can take your pick and choose the style you want. Wayfair shoppers say that it’s a total breeze to put together too — yay!
4. Target
Whether you’re shopping for your apartment or moving into dorms, Target is well worth a look. It does basics really well, especially in its Room Essentials and Threshold ranges. Also, keep an eye on its deals page, as it really can save you serious cash.
Our favorite Target bookshelf picks for 2023:
Size (in.): H57 x W10 x D20
Made from: Particle Board
Price: $86.99
I'm all for a bit of modern luxury every now and then, and this quirky bookshelf has all of that. With eight shelves, you can style your beloved books however you want. Plus, if you do end up moving, it's super lightweight, so you won't have to worry about dragging it up the stairs Friends-style.
Size (in.): H36 x W24 x D23
Made from: Particleboard
Price: $70
Nobody puts baby in the corner! Except well, y’know, when it’s made to go in a corner. In which case, put it there and let it slay. It has nine shelves, including three that are front-facing. Photo frames and indoor plants would look so cute on these. Then for the others, you could mix and match books and storage cubes.
Size (in.): H32 x W60 x D15.7
Made from: Wood
Price: $300
I’ve lived in so many places where I’ve had hardly any width, so I know the feels if you’re living in a place that doesn’t have enough room for a big ol’ shelf. That’s why I’m into this sweet shelf, which is a perf size for a tiny living room or even a studio apartment. Target shoppers say that it’s super sturdy and looks amazing too.
5. Amazon
Glamazons, you know you can get basically everything from Amazon. That includes furniture big and small, people. And, with many buys on Prime, if you’re a member you can get your new bookcase to your door the next day.
Our favorite Amazon bookshelf picks for 2023:
Size (in.): H42.13 x W39.37 x D9.45
Made from: Wood
Price: $119.99
The different sized shelves mean that you can put all your li’l books and big books all in one place, and still probs have room to spare... so you can buy more books to put on it. The different shade options are super sweet too — choose from tiffany green (yeah like the jewelry), pear yellow, bright blue, and warm white.
Size (in.): H54.9 x W7.9 x D23.7
Made from: Metal
Price: $43.99
When organizing a small space, modular furniture such as this bookcase is so great to utilize. You can customize the size of it, fitting it for the room you have it in. For those with a lotta books, you won't need to worry about stacking all of them on it, as the sturdy metal will keep them strong and stable.
Size (in.): H51.2 x W15.7 x D15.7
Made from: Wood
Price: $159.99
I'm spinning around, get out of my way. That's what this bookshelf would say if it could talk. Maybe. Altogether, there are four large shelves that are split up into their own little sections. It would fit so nicely in a corner and comes in either black oak, white, or rustic brown. And did I mention that it spins? Yes, that's a big deal.
How to choose a bookcase
Thinking about getting your own? Here are four key things you need to think about before clicking add to cart:
Size and dimensions: Measure up the space you’re planning to put it in, and then make sure that the height, width, and depth of the bookcase you’re looking at match up.
Material: Go for ones that are durable and that will last, such as ones made from solid wood, engineered wood, metal, and laminate.
Style: Take a look at the existing decor in your home, and make sure that the bookcase you have your eye on will complement it, not clash with it.
Storage capacity: Consider the number of shelves, their depth, and how much weight they can bear. You want to make sure that all your books will fit, after all.
Up next: These living room bookshelf ideas will help you live your bookworm fantasy
