Why choose a low bookcase?
Whether used for storing books, as interior decor, or simply as storage space in a home, the bookshelf is an essential piece of furniture in any home. Placed against a wall in a living room, office, or bedroom—or used as a room divider—a bookshelf should be large enough to hold a variety of books and decorative items.
So, what’s the right size for a piece like this? Does a low bookcase offer enough advantages to compete with its taller counterparts? It’s well known that these models add a personal touch to interior design while providing storage. Sometimes it’s necessary to pair them with a wall-mounted shelf to maximize storage space. But, on its own, does a low bookcase really have a place in your home? Let’s find out together!
What are the characteristics of a low shelf?
A low shelf is a piece of furniture that is generally no more than one meter tall. The other dimensions (width and depth) vary depending on the model. In most cases, their average depth is about 40 cm.
Low bookcases feature several shelves, as well as a top shelf. The top shelf is a convenient place to display decorative items or accessories. These pieces of furniture are often made of wood (unfinished or melamine-faced), plastic, or metal (perfect for adding an industrial touch to an interior).
Where should you place a low bookcase?
A low bookcase is usually placed in a living room. It can be used to store books, decorative items, or, in some cases, DVDs. It can also serve the same purpose in an office or a bedroom (though the bedroom should be large enough so that it doesn’t look cluttered).
A low bookcase can also be placed in a hallway or even an entryway. This way, the piece can serve as storage without cluttering up these already limited spaces.
In a child's room, a low bookcase is a very practical piece of furniture that can hold both books and various toys—all within reach of little hands.
What are the advantages of a low bookcase?
A low shelf isn't just for storage—it's also a beautiful decorative piece.
Because of its small size, it’s perfectly possible to hang paintings or frames above it. This type of furniture doesn’t overwhelm a room the way a “normal” bookcase might. These pieces are perfect for placing under a window or a loft.
A low bookcase is easy to move or carry. Plus, it’s easy to clean the top—no dust buildup in sight!
A low bookcase can serveas a transitional element. In fact, in a narrow space, it can act as a room divider. For example, in a studio apartment, this type of bookcase is perfect for creating a division between the kitchen and the bedroom or the living area. It’s a simple and effective way to separate different living spaces in a small home. Not to mention that it provides additional storage, which can be very useful in this setting.
A low bookcase gives you the opportunity to play with proportions by alternating between low and tall pieces of furniture. This creates a sense of movement in a room and helps give it structure. If the ceiling isn’t very high, a low bookcase is an ideal piece of furniture to avoid making the room feel even more cramped, while still creating a certain illusion of height.
What are its drawbacks?
Of course, this type of unit won’t be enough to store a lot of things (or you’ll need to get several bookcases). Plus, since the top shelf is close by and easy to reach, it can quickly turn into a catch-all and end up cluttered.
Just as this can be very convenient for a child, if it’s not their toys that are within reach but fragile objects, the convenience can quickly turn into a nightmare.
Some people need to complement their low bookcases with wall-mounted units, but let's be realistic—it can be difficult to find a piece that matches perfectly.
How can you tell if this piece of furniture is the perfect fit for your home?
Before deciding on the size of the bookcase (whether it should be low or not), you should first consider how it will be used and in which room of the home it will be placed.
Consider the format of the books
If they’re paperbacks, a low bookcase with a shallow depth (20 cm) will surely be sufficient. On the other hand, for a comic book collection, you’ll need the next size up and a depth of at least 30 cm. For larger volumes, the low bookcase should have a shelf depth of 40 to 50 cm. For even larger items, you’ll need a different bookcase—perhaps even a custom-made one!
Think about the usefulness of the low bookcase
If this type of furniture is placed in a living room, a low bookcase with drawers can provide a place to store items such as remote controls and phone chargers. And if the piece has doors, some people use it to store dishes. That doesn’t mean you can’t also place a lamp, books, or decorative accessories on top of it.
A bookcase proves to be very practical as a storage solution in a bedroom or an office, for example. In this case, simply mix up the storage areas: if the bookcase has both open and closed sections (with drawers or doors), you can place books where they’re visible and use the closed sections to store more personal items.
Living room, office, bedroom, dining room: where to place the bookcase
The available space in the room may determine the dimensions of the furniture. In a narrow room, it’s best to choose a low bookcase with a shallow depth. This ensures there’s always enough clearance to move around without bumping into anything.
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