Bookshelves for Storage and Display
A bookshelf can provide practical storage while creating space to display books, artwork and objects throughout the home. Open shelving keeps these pieces visible and accessible, with different shelf heights and configurations allowing larger and smaller items to sit together. Consider what you intend to store or display before choosing a bookshelf. Shelf dimensions, overall height and available wall space will help determine whether a compact unit or larger bookcase is better suited to the room.
Bookshelves and Bookcases
Bookshelf and bookcase are often used interchangeably to describe furniture designed around open shelving. A bookcase may traditionally suggest a larger or more substantial piece, while bookshelf can describe everything from compact shelving to full-height storage. Rather than focusing on the terminology alone, consider the dimensions, number of shelves and amount of storage each design provides.
Open Shelving for Living Spaces
Open shelving can introduce vertical storage without the visual weight of a fully enclosed cabinet. Timber shelves bring natural grain and tonal variation, while more structural shelving systems can create a stronger architectural element within the room. For enclosed storage, explore our Sideboards. If you need a configurable system built from individual storage components, explore our Modular Storage.
Styling a Bookshelf
Bookshelves do not need to be filled uniformly. Combining books with objects, artwork and areas of open space can create variation across the shelves, while grouping pieces by scale, material or colour can establish relationships between otherwise different objects. Consider the bookshelf as part of the wider living space alongside your Sofa, Lounge & Occasional Chairs and Side Tables.
Explore Bookshelves & Bookcases at Huset
Explore bookshelves and bookcases online or visit Huset’s Cheltenham showroom in Melbourne to experience selected furniture, materials and finishes. If there is a particular bookcase or shelving unit you would like to see, contact our team before visiting to confirm its current showroom availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
The terms are often used interchangeably. Bookcase can suggest a larger freestanding piece of furniture, while bookshelf is also used for smaller or more open shelving designs. Dimensions, shelf configuration and storage capacity are more useful when comparing individual products.
Measure the available width and height and consider what you intend to store or display. Check individual shelf dimensions as well as the overall size, particularly if you need to accommodate larger books or objects.
Yes. Open bookshelves can be used for books, artwork, objects and other pieces you want to keep visible. Combining storage and display can also help break up larger shelving arrangements.
A bookcase is generally associated with storing books, while shelving unit is a broader term for open storage furniture. Many contemporary designs can serve both purposes.
Open shelving suits items you want to keep accessible or on display. Enclosed storage can be better for objects you prefer to keep out of sight. A combination of both can work well within a living space.
Selected furniture can be viewed at Huset's Cheltenham showroom. Contact the Huset team before visiting if there is a particular bookcase or shelving unit you would like to see.
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